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Jello Poke Cake has been a cherished dessert in our family for generations. Its vibrant colors and fruity flavors bring back memories of summer picnics and birthday celebrations. This simple yet delightful cake is perfect for creating new memories with your loved ones
What Is A Poke Cake?
A poke cake is a soft, fluffy cake that’s baked, then “poked” with holes and filled with a liquid—like Jello, pudding, or sweetened milk—that soaks into every bite. The result is a moist, flavorful dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Poke cakes became popular in the 1970s, thanks to a Jell-O marketing campaign that highlighted how gelatin could transform simple cakes into colorful, fun desserts.
Ingredients Notes
- White cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box — usually eggs, oil, and water): Substitute water with milk and oil with melted butter for a richer flavor. You can also use your favorite gluten-free cake mix for a GF version.
- Flavored Jello (strawberry, lemon, raspberry, lime, or orange, etc.): Feel free to switch up the flavor based on the season or event — lemon is great for spring, while cherry, raspberry, and strawberry gelatin work well for Valentine’s Day!
- Water: You’ll need both boiling water and cold water to prepare the Jello.
- Cool Whip, whipped topping, or homemade whipped cream
- Fresh fruit for garnish (optional): Match the fruit to your Jello flavor — strawberries for strawberry Jello, blueberries for berry flavors, lemon slices for lemon, and so on.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Jello Poke Cake
- Bake the Cake: Prepare and bake the box cake mix as directed. Let it cool slightly—warm is best for poking.
- Poke Holes: Use a wooden spoon handle or fork to poke holes about 1 inch apart.
- Add the Jello: Mix Jello with boiling and cold water, then pour over the cake to fill the holes. Tap the pan gently.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate until the Jello sets.
- Top and Serve: Spread Cool Whip on top. Add strawberries before serving.
Jello Poke Cake Variations
- Jello Flavors: Swap strawberry for raspberry, cherry, blackberry, lemon, or lime.
- Cake Mix Options: Use yellow, white, chocolate, strawberry, or make it from scratch.
- Topping Ideas: Try whipped cream with fresh fruit, crushed cookies, sprinkles, toasted coconut, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel.
- Fun Combos: Banana cake with banana pudding, chocolate cake with raspberry Jello, or lemon cake with blueberry topping.
- Festive Picks: Red Velvet Poke Cake for Christmas, red-white-blue poke cake for the 4th, Rainbow Poke Cake or Unicorn for birthdays and celebrations.
Storage Instructions
- Make Ahead: You can make Jello Poke Cake 1 day in advance. Chill it overnight, then add toppings just before serving for the best texture.
- Refrigerator: Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. It’s best enjoyed within the first 1–2 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended—freezing may cause the Jello to separate or become watery.
- Room Temperature: Don’t leave out for more than 2 hours, especially if topped with whipped cream or fresh fruit.
More Poke Cake Recipes
- Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
- Boston Cream Poke Cake
- Eggnog Poke Cake
- Cookies and Cream Poke Cake
- Hot Chocolate Poke Cake
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Jello Poke Cake
Serves — 16
This easy Jello Poke Cake combines moist white cake with vibrant Jello and a creamy topping, making it a delightful dessert for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients called for on box. I used the Pillsbury Moist Supreme White Cake Mix
- 3.4 ounces strawberry jello or any flavor will work
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- fresh strawberries for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Prepare cake to directions and after baking poke holes throughout the cake with a fork or wooden spoon handle.1 box white cake mix
- Mix boiling water with Jello and stir until dissolved, then pour in cold water.3.4 ounces strawberry jello, 1 cup boiling water, ½ cup cold water
- Pour Jello over the entire cake, allowing to seep into holes.
- Cover with Cool Whip.8 ounces Cool Whip
- You can also add fresh fruit to the top before slicing and serving!fresh strawberries for garnish if desired
Jenn’s Notes
Tips:
- For a fun flavor change, swap out the strawberry Jello for another flavor, and use fresh fruit on top to match!
- You can substitute butter and milk for the oil and water on the cake box directions if you like. It will produce a richer flavor!
- It’s best to make the holes in the cake while it is still slightly warm because as it cools, the crust on top of the cake will crumble more easily.
- When you’re pouring the cream into the holes, tap the pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles and make sure the cream fills the holes completely.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg
could I use icing on the cake instead of the cool whip?
Lovely recipes
Made this just like the recipe and it was so soggy! Don’t know what I did wrong. Followed all the directions to a t
I’ve wrecked these cakes twice, following the directions. Have no idea what I did wrong either. I’m beginning to wonder if the simple fix is cooking the cake longer. Maybe an overdone cake with smaller holes will absorb the jello perfectly. I even put it in the fridge after putting in the jello.
I have never seen a poke cake recipe where you use a fork for the holes? I’ve always used a wooden spoon, makes bigger holes to fill? That’s the only thing I can think of?
I used to make this years ago for my kids.. maybe 30… let the jello start to set up. Use a turkey battery to put the jello in the holes. Perfect every time. Needs to go in fridge after you put in the jello. Till it sets firm.
Turkey baster.
Thank for sharing the recipe ,its look so delicious!