Our Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake is the perfect, patriotic Fourth of July dessert for your family gathering or holiday cookout. If you haven’t made a jello poke cake before, you won’t believe how easy it is! It all starts with a box of cake mix!
Red White and Blue Poke Cake
Who doesn’t love the Fourth of July? For my family, it’s always a day that’s full of summer fun. Whether it’s getting outside and enjoying the weather or waiting anxiously for the fireworks display, I simply love this holiday.
It’s always been a tradition for us to have a huge cookout every year. We typically make hot dogs and burgers on the grill, and everyone brings a dish to pass. This year, I’m planning on bringing my Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake.
This delicious jello poke cake is super-patriotic because it’s made using a white cake with blue and red jello. It’s very festive. Plus, it’s so light and refreshing, making it the perfect summer dessert.
Why is it Called a Poke Cake?
Poke cakes, as the name suggests, are cakes that have holes poked in them! Usually, you will poke holes into the cake after baking, then fill the holes with a liquid, pudding or filling of some sort. In this case, the filling is red and blue jello!
The holes in the cake, make it so that every bite is full of the delicious flavor of whatever filling you’ve used.
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix, plus ingredients listed on the box (mine was 1 cup water, ½ cup oil, 3 eggs)
- 3 oz package of red jello
- 3 oz package of blue jello
- 2 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 cup cold water, divided
- 8 oz tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- Sprinkles
How to Make Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake
- Bake your cake and let cool.
- Poke holes over the entire cake. (I used the end of a wooden spoon)
- Mix up blue and red jello. (in separate bowls)
- Pour the jello into alternating holes in the cake.
- Cover and refrigerate.
- Whisk together topping.
- Spread and top with sprinkles.
Tips for Making Jello Poke Cake
- Don’t poke all the way through the cake or the colors will mix at the bottom and you will end up with a purple cake.
- If you use the same bowl to mix the jello make sure to wash (not just rinse it) between colors or your jello will not be as clear and vibrant and may start to turn purple.
- You can pour the jello into the holes using a measuring cup or bowl with a spout, condiment bottles, or a syringe. I found that the syringe (the pointed tip kind that you get with medication at the pharmacy) worked best. It took a bit longer but it was by far the easiest and most precise to keep the colors separated.
- I like to mix my whipped topping with powdered sugar for a few reasons. It thickens it a bit, which makes it easier to spread. I also feel like it holds up longer in the heat which is nice if you’re bringing the cake to a picnic or BBQ.
How to Store Poke Cake
It’s important to store your poke cake in the fridge after you’ve completed making it as well as if you have any leftovers. It’s also wise to place it in a cooler or fridge between servings, as you don’t want it to sit out for too long. This cake can become a melted mess very quickly!
You will be the talk of the party at your celebration this Fourth of July (or Memorial Day or Labor Day).
Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake is always a hit. The colors make it festive and perfect for the holiday. Not to mention, it’s light and refreshing and so delicious, the ultimate summer dessert!
Change Up the Colors!
Another great thing about this cake is that you can change it up for any holiday!
- Green & Red for Christmas
- Red & Purple for Valentine’s Day
- Orange & Purple for Halloween
- Rainbow for just a fun poke cake
More Great Patriotic Recipes
Patriotic Chocolate Covered Strawberries | 4th of July Red, White and Blue Jello Shots | American Flag Cake | Firecracker Cupcakes | Fourth of July Cake in a Jar | 4th of July Cake Mix Cookies | Red, White and Blue Fudge | Patriotic Fruit Cones
Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix plus ingredients listed on the box (mine was 1 cup water, ½ cup oil, 3 eggs)
- 1 3 oz package red jello
- 1 3 oz package blue jello
- 2 cups boiling water divided
- 1 cup cold water divided
- 1 8 oz tub whipped topping thawed
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Bake your cake according to the package directions and let it cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Using the end of a wooden spoon poke holes over the entire cake. They should be about ½ – ¾ the depth of the cake, just don’t poke all the way through.
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup dissolve red jello in 1 cup of boiling water. When jello powder is dissolved stir in ½ cup cold water.
- In a separate small bowl or large measuring cup dissolve the blue jello in 1 cup of boiling water. When the jello powder is dissolved stir in ½ cup cold water.
- Carefully pour the red and blue jello into alternating holes in the cake. Be careful not to mix them or you will end up with a purple cake.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- In a medium bowl whisk together whipped topping and powdered sugar
- Spread whipped topping over the cake and top with sprinkles
Jenn’s Notes
- Don’t poke all the way through the cake or the colors will mix at the bottom and you will end up with purple.
- If you use the same bowl to mix the jello make sure to wash, not just rinse, it between colors or your jello will not be as clear and vibrant and may start to turn purple.
- You can pour the jello into the holes using a measuring cup or bowl with a spout, condiment bottles, or a syringe.
- I like to mix my whipped topping with powdered sugar for a few reasons. It thickens it a bit which makes it easier to spread. I also feel like it holds up a bit longer in the heat, which is nice if you are bringing the cake to a picnic or BBQ.
With this recipe do you use all the blue 1 1/2 cups and red 1 1/2 cups of jello? it seemed like too much liquid being added to the baked cake even with a ton of poked joles throughout. Thanks, cant wait to see if it turned out. I didnt use all of both colors but a good amount, I have not made a jello poke cake before.
We used it all and it wasn’t too much for us, but you can use less if you prefer! Enjoy!
I was thinking the same thing Alex! Think I’m going to make 2 cakes with fewer holes and divide the jello’s between the two.
I will add some vanilla pudding to the cool whip and some milk. I love making that frosting.
I’d like to try this cuz it looks great, but I’m not a fan of sprinkles. do you think the frosting would hold up if I put blueberries and strawberries on top instead?
Yes, for sure! And I won’t judge you too much for not liking sprinkles 🤣
I think I am really going to like this alot
Made this for 4th of July it’s so delicious!
Thank you so much for the great recipes
Do you see an issue with baking the cake a day ahead, leave at room temp then do the poke and refrigerate the day of (would serve late for dinner)? Camping and baking a cake is a bit more of a challenge.
I don’t see an issue with making the cake before without the Jello poured in it. Once you pour the Jello, it needs to be chilled for at least an hour before serving to allow the jello to soak into the cake though. So just make sure you are doing that and you should be good. Whisper voice… you can actually even use a store bought cake!
Do you use the whole egg or only the whites? I was wondering if the yolks would turn the white cake a yellow color?
Great question! I used the entire egg! Yolk and all!