This Patriotic Jell-O Poke Cake is the ultimate 4th of July dessert! It starts with a light and fluffy white cake, poked and filled with vibrant layers of red and blue Jell-O for a colorful surprise in every slice. Topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of festive sprinkles this easy, crowd-pleasing cake is a sure fire winner.
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If you are looking for an easy dessert for the 4th of July holiday, this is it! It’s so simple with just 4 simple ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or bringing dessert to the fireworks, this cake is a star-spangled showstopper!
I love a poke cake! The possibilities are endless, they are so easy to throw together, it feeds a lot, and they are so scrumptious!
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- White cake mix– plus ingredients to prepare the cake mix
- Red Jell-O– strawberry, cherry or raspberry, plus water to prepare
- Blue Jell-O
- Cool Whip, or homemade whipped cream (recipe at the bottom of the post)
- Patriotic sprinkles (optional), alternatively use fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries
How to make it
Preheat the oven.
Set your oven to 350°F (or follow the cake mix directions if different).
Bake the cake.
Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions using the water, eggs, and oil. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 22–25 minutes, or as directed. Let the cake cool completely.
Prepare the Jell-O.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the red and blue Jell-O in two separate bowls.
For each:
Stir in 1 cup cold water
Note: You’ll only need 1 cup of each prepared Jell-O for the cake. Save the rest to chill and enjoy later!
Dissolve the Jell-O powder in 1 cup boiling water
Poke the cake.
Once the cake is cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake—about 50 holes. Don’t poke all the way through, just about 3/4 of the way down.
Add the Jell-O.
Starting in one corner, carefully pour 1 cup of red Jell-O into every other row of holes at a diagonal angle. Then repeat with 1 cup of blue Jell-O, filling the remaining rows. Work slowly and try not to mix the colors, or you’ll end up with purple cake!.
Chill.
Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled and set.
Top and decorate.
Spread a layer of whipped topping over the entire cake. Just before serving, decorate with festive red, white, and blue sprinkles.
Slice and serve.
Cut into squares and enjoy this colorful, patriotic treat!
Homemade Whipped Cream
Want to make your own whipped cream? No problem! Here’s how:
You can make the whipped cream topping by beating 2 cups of heavy whipping cream with 1/2 cup sugar using an electric mixer until peaks form. Spread over the cake and decorate as desired.
This Red, White, and Blue Jell-O Poke Cake is a festive and fun dessert perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any summer celebration! Light, fluffy cake is infused with vibrant layers of red and blue Jell-O, then topped with a cool and creamy layer of whipped topping. The best part? It’s super easy to make and guaranteed to wow your guests with every slice!
FAQ’s
- Can I use a homemade cake instead of boxed mix? Yes! A homemade white cake will work beautifully—just make sure it’s baked in a 9×13-inch dish so the Jell-O soaks in properly. Avoid yellow cake as it can affect the red and blue color contrast.
- Can I use different flavors of Jell-O? Absolutely. Strawberry or cherry for red and berry blue are classic patriotic choices, but feel free to try raspberry, black cherry, watermelon or even tropical punch for a fun twist.
- Do I have to use both red and blue? Not at all! You can stick with one color or even use multiple colors for other occasions (think red and green for Christmas or orange and purple for Halloween).
- What’s the best way to poke the holes? Use the round end of a wooden spoon or a thick straw to poke the holes. Make sure not to poke all the way through the cake—about ¾ of the way down is perfect to hold the Jell-O without it leaking out the bottom.
- Why is my cake turning purple? If the red and blue Jell-O mix in the same hole, the colors will combine into purple. To avoid this, pour each color carefully and slowly into alternating rows or areas, and don’t overlap them.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! In fact, it’s even better made the day before. Just wait to add the whipped topping and sprinkles until just before serving so they stay fresh and vibrant.
- How should I store leftovers? Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The whipped topping keeps it soft and moist, and the colors stay nice and bright.
Try these poke cakes
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Patriotic Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients on the box—usually water, eggs, and vegetable oil
- 1 3 oz box red Jell-O (strawberry or cherry)
- 1 3 oz box blue Jell-O (berry blue)
- 2 cups boiling water 1 cup per Jell-O flavor
- 2 cups cold water 1 cup per Jell-O flavor
- 1 8 oz tub whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- Patriotic sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350°F (or follow the cake mix directions if different).
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions using the water, eggs, and oil. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 22–25 minutes, or as directed. Let the cake cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the red and blue Jell-O in two separate bowls.
- For each: Dissolve the Jell-O powder in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1 cup cold water. (Note: You’ll only need 1 cup of each prepared Jell-O for the cake. Save the rest to chill and enjoy later!)
- Once the cake is cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake—about 50 holes. Don’t poke all the way through, just about 3/4 of the way down.
- Starting in one corner, carefully pour 1 cup of red Jell-O into every other row of holes at a diagonal angle. Then repeat with 1 cup of blue Jell-O, filling the remaining rows. Work slowly and try not to mix the colors, or you’ll end up with purple cake!
- Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled and set.
- Spread a layer of whipped topping over the entire cake. Just before serving, decorate with festive red, white, and blue sprinkles.
- Cut into squares and enjoy this colorful, patriotic treat!
