Colorful Jello Poke Cake

My grandmother first introduced me to Jello poke cake at a Fourth of July celebration when I was seven. The bright red and blue stripes inside the cake seemed magical, and I begged her to teach me how to make it. Now, decades later, I still use her simple technique to create colorful cakes for every occasion. This versatile dessert allows you to match any theme or celebration with the perfect color combination, all while being incredibly simple to prepare.

a slice of Jello poke cake in front the the cake on a stand

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Make a fun and festive cake!

The beauty of this cake lies in its simplicity and visual impact. By poking holes in a basic white cake and filling them with liquid Jello, you create vibrant color streaks that reveal themselves with every slice. The gelatin also adds moisture and flavor to the cake, while the creamy whipped topping provides the perfect contrast to the sweet, fruity interior. Because the cake needs refrigeration time, it’s an ideal make-ahead dessert for parties and gatherings.

Jello flavors and colors

Not all flavors of Jell-O are available all year long. Amazon has a good year-round selection, but prices are generally less in your local grocery store.

Jell-O FlavorPoke Cake Color
ApricotWarm Orange
Berry BlueBlue
Black Cherry Jell-ODark Red
Blackberry Fusion Jell-OMaroon Red
Cherry Jell-ORed
Cranberry Jell-OWarm Red
Fruit Punch Jell-ORed
Grape Jell-OPurple
Lemon Jell-OYellow
Lime Jell-OLight Green
Melon FusionBright green
Peach Jell-OOrange Peach
Island Pineapple Jell-OBright yellow
Raspberry Jell-ODark Warm Red
Strawberry Jell-OCooler red
Strawberry Banana Jell-ORed
Watermelon Jell-ODark Pink

Ingredients

For the Cake Base

  • White cake mix – Creates the perfect neutral canvas for colorful Jello to shine through
  • Ingredients listed on cake mix package – Typically eggs, oil, and water that activate the mix

For the Jello Filling

  • Jello gelatin packets – Provide vibrant color and fruity flavor throughout the cake
  • Boiling water – Activates and dissolves the gelatin powder

For the Frosting

  • Cool Whip – Offers a light, creamy topping that balances the sweet cake and tangy Jello
Jello poke cake ingredients

How to make jello poke cake

  1. Prepare white cake layers in round 9-inch pans as instructed on the package.
  2. Place cooled cake layers top side up in the cake pans.
  3. Pierce cake layers with a large fork at ½-inch increments.
  4. Stir boiling water into each flavor of Jello in separate bowls for 2 minutes or until dissolved.
green and red jello
  1. Carefully pour one color of Jello over one cake layer and the other color of Jello over the second cake layer.
red and green Jello poke cake layers in the pans
  1. Refrigerate cake layers for 3 hours.
  2. Dip one cake pan in warm water for 10 seconds then unmold onto a serving plate.
  3. Spread whipped topping over the cake layer.
  4. Unmold the second layer and carefully place it on top of the first layer.
  5. Frost the top and sides of the cake with whipped topping.
  6. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.
a slice of red and green Jello poke cake with Cool Whip frosting

Jello poke cake frequently asked questions

Should poke cakes be refrigerated?

Yes, they should be refrigerated. The Jello will dissolve into the cake when left at room temperature for too long.

Why do they call it a poke cake?

When you make this cake, you will poke holes in it after you bake it to allow the Jello to have enough room to go into the cake.

Can I use sugar-free Jell-O for poke cake?

Yes.

Can I make poke cake with pudding instead?

You can, BUT, the Jell-O stays put, pudding slides around more.

What do you use to poke holes in a cake?

Use a large serving fork, skewer, or wooden spoon handle.

Enjoy your own holiday poke cake or special occasion cake! If you have made one, let me know the colors you used.

a slice of jello poke cake with cool whip frosting

Can’t get enough cake? Try these recipes!

Favorite Jello Recipes

Be sure to check out more of my easy cake recipes and the best dessert recipes to make for your family and friends.

a slice of Jello poke cake in front the the cake on a stand

Colorful Jello Poke Cake: Easy Customizable Dessert for Any Occasion

Create a stunning Jello Poke Cake with this simple recipe! White cake infused with vibrant Jello colors makes a perfect customizable dessert for holidays and celebrations.
5 from 7 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Holiday Poke Cake, Jello Poke Cake, Poke Cake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 baked 9-inch white cake layers
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 packages Jell-O colors/flavors of choice
  • 12 ounces Cool Whip

Instructions

  • Place cake layers top side up in two 9-inch round cake pans. Pierce cake layers with a large fork at 1/2 inch increments.
  • Stir 1 cup boiling water into each flavor of the gelatin in separate bowls for 2 minutes or until dissolved.
  • Carefully pour 1 gelatin over 1 cake layer and the other gelatin over the second cake layer.
  • Refrigerate for 3 hours.
  • Dip 1 pan in warm water for 10 seconds; unmold onto a serving plate.
  • Spread with 1 cup of whipped topping.
  • Unmold the second layer and carefully place it on top of the first layer.
  • Frost with remaining whipped topping.
  • Garnish as desired.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Notes

For the most eye-catching results, choose contrasting Jello colors with good visibility against the white cake. Dark colors like cherry, grape, and berry blue create the most dramatic effect. Also, letting the Jello cool slightly before pouring (about 5 minutes) helps prevent it from soaking into the cake too much while still ensuring it fills the holes.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 0.6mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Korene

    5 stars
    I made this cake for the holidays. I used strawberry and lime flavored Jell-O. The cake was a winner that year. I plan to make this cake again.

5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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