Jello Poke Cake Recipe is the perfect dessert to bring to family gatherings, pot lucks, holidays and more. With just a few ingredients, this cake is super easy to make and even the kids can help.
Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Strawberry jello poke cake is a really moist and delicious cake recipe that can be made in hardly any time at all. Poke cakes are so much fun to make and this recipe does not disappoint.
We made this with strawberry jello and it was amazing! The whipped topping and fresh berries on top just make this even better.
It is the perfect dessert to make any time of the year and so easy to change to work with what you have on hand. We used a strawberry jello but you can do any flavor of jello that you have.
Why is it called Poke Cake?
The cake is poked all over to allow the jello mixture to saturate the cake. The flavor gets in the cake for an amazing dessert.
Plus, it is just so fun to poke the cake. The kids love to help with this part. 🙂
How to poke holes in a cake:
You can use a fork to poke the cake or really anything you have. The end of a wooden spoon also works as well.
Another idea is to use a toothpick.
This is such an easy recipe so just use what you have and make this amazing cake.
Ingredients:
- white cake mix box and any ingredients listed on box
- jello mix (We used strawberry but you can use any flavor.)
- Cool Whip
How to make a jello poke cake:
First, prepare the cake mix as directed on the box and bake.
Let the cake cool.
Now, it is time for the fun part! Poke the cake all over!
Next, prepare the jell-o as directed.
Then spoon over cake mix until you have used all of the mixture.
Chill the cake and top with whipped cream. We also added fresh strawberries.
Does poke cake need to be refrigerated?
Keep reading for the full recipe.
Can you freeze jello poke cake?
You can freeze the cake but I would do so before adding the whipped topping and berries on top of the cake. You can freeze the cake and then add your toppings when ready to serve.
Poke Cake Variations:
We used strawberry gelatin but you can try any flavor you prefer. The ideas are really endless.
You can use any jello flavor you have on hand or want to try. Some ideas include: raspberry, cherry, lemon, lime, and more.
Try orange jello poke cake.
Another favorite around here is to use orange jello. This is so refreshing and delicious.
I like to top it with mandarin oranges on top of the cool whip. It is always a hit and everyone raves about it whenever I make it.
Lime jello poke cake is another tasty option.
Lime or lemon jello make a really great cake. The flavor is light and just perfect for this type of cake.
Let us know what type of jello cake with fruit you make!
The ideas are endless for Jello poke cake recipe.
You can literally just use any flavor or what you already have in your pantry. We have even used vanilla pudding and pie filling in this recipe.
It seeps into the white cake mix and tastes amazing with the whipped topping. I like to cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge so the flavors can blend.
I think it is even better the next day but the hard part is waiting. The kids want to dig in immediately because they all love this recipe so much.
You can really throw this together for hardly any money at all and in just minutes. It is the perfect dessert to feed a crowd or take to a gathering when you need to keep the cost low.
Try using different types of cake!
We used a white cake mix but you can try using yellow cake, angel food or whatever you like. I think lemon or strawberry cake would be amazing and really intensify the flavor.
If you have been making our recipes for awhile, you know I am a big fan of using what we have or can get on sale at the grocery store. So, I love recipes that are versatile and easy to make work lots of different ways.
This is a great way to help your budget and it will still turn out perfectly. Plus, I think you get to try out lots of different variations that you might not have tried.
Jello poke cake recipe is versatile and so easy.
Just use what you have. You are going to love this cake.
Since we typically use what is on sale at the grocery store or that I already have in the pantry, I cut our grocery bill by 50% off by following these 8 Tips for for Saving Money on Groceries by Menu Planning!
Save that money for something else or to give you family wiggle room in the budget. You will love the money you will save.
Easy recipes like this keep my family happy and my grocery budget in good shape. This is how I keep our grocery budget reasonable and everyone gets to enjoy a great dessert!
Print this jello gelatin cake recipe below:
Jello Poke Cake Recipe is the perfect dessert to bring to family gatherings, holidays and more. With just a few ingredients, this cake is so easy to make.
- 1 white cake mix box and any ingredients listed on box
- 3.3 oz jello mix strawberry (you can also use raspberry, cherry )
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tub Cool Whip
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Prepare cake mix as directed and bake in a 9x13 pan. Let cool for 15 minutes.
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Poke cake with fork at ½ inch intervals.
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Prepare jell-o as directed. Spoon over cake mix until jell-o liquid is all gone.
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Chill 3 to 4 hours and top with whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
You can easily make this recipe with your favorite Jello flavor.
Chocolate Ganache Cake Roll recipe looks so pretty and tastes amazing.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like this Easy Pound Cake Recipe for another delicious treat.
More poke cake recipes:
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake Recipe
- CHERRY POKE CAKE RECIPE
- Lemon Poke Cake Recipe
- Boston creme poke cake recipe
Faye Shelby says
I haven’t tried the recipe, my husband is diabetic. Can this be made with sugar free jello and sugar free cake mix?
Carrie says
Yes, I think that would work great!
Pam says
I made mine with yellow cake, sugar free Orange jello and added a little Orange vanilla twist rum to the jello mixture to give it a little kick. Added whip topping. Tasted like a creamsicle.yummy
Carrie says
That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Brandy says
My kids loved this poke cake. Doesn’t take much time to make and perfect for a summer picnic
Lucy says
I have a new pan I want to use and I’m trying to come up with all the fun things I can make in it. It’s the shape of Mickey Mouse. I would Love to be able to make sure I can flip it out of the pan when it’s done so you can see his cute smile. What’s your thought about trying this cake with this pan? Or any other suggestions would be awesome. I’m not much of a baker. But looking for new hobbies. Thank you
Carrie says
I wouldn’t use this recipe as you have to poke holes in the cake and I wouldn’t want to poke holes in Mickey’s face. I would use a classic white cake mix for this pan. I have a great recipe that can be found here.
Taz says
Can u use reddi whip instead of cool whip?
Carrie says
Yes, you definitely can. I would just top it right before serving as I think reddi-whip melts as it sits.
Julie Sanchez says
It is the best when you leave it in fridge overnight !
Juliet Joiner says
It is best when you leave it in fridge over night !
Amy Hubert says
We love this recipe! It is definitely a regular request for celebrations, potlucks, and picnics. It’s also super versatile because you can use different flavors of cake mix and jello. We’ve also done a similar one using cake mix and pudding. So yummy! Thanks for the great recipe!
Nettie Hanlin says
Loved this recipe it was moist and delicious. Rates a top 5
Linda Neveu says
Love this recipe! Brings me back to when I was a kid.
Looking forward to making it with my grandkids.
Denise Crutchfield says
I love this recipe. I use yellow cake because I think it gives it makes it flavorful. I make it often, everyone loves it.
Beverly says
We love the many variations you can do with this fun recipe. So simple and easy to make and the grandkids love helping with poking the holes in the cake. Have used too different flavors and colors of jello for different holidays….green and red for Christmas. Thanks a bunch.
Becky Lamb says
I made this with strawberry jello and topped it with fresh strawberries. It’s light and not overly sweet. It combines cake, fruit and whipped cream to make a yummy dessert. Everyone loved it. This is an easy and quick dessert.
Connie Aycock says
Quick, simple,refreshing dessert that can be made with different flavors. Young and old both love.
Mary L Johnson says
Just LUV the jello poke cake recipe. Made 2 layer round jello poke cake, using a white cake mix with 1 red jello and 1 green, decorated with gummy holly leaves and berries cut-outs for a Xmas small gathering. Definitely not much left over and everyone raved about it, taste-wise and the gorgeous eye-appeal. Let you imagination run wild and try different cake mixes and jello to make make any occasion fun & special!
Marrisa says
My family is diabetic and I made mine with sugar free jello and they all loved it very much just a Comfort cake!
Jo Ann Hammond says
This is one of the most moist cakes you will ever eat! My family loves it. My husband is not big on icing, but this cake is his favorite.
Jo Ann Hammond says
Five ?? ???????? For Sure!
This is one of the most moist cakes you will ever eat! My family loves it. My husband is not big on icing, but this cake is his favorite.
annette C (fabri) Peterson says
Loved It – Next time I’m am going to try it with Lime Jello and tint the Col Whip green. Great for Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day./
Ruth Meyer says
When I was a kid my Mom used to make this for Sunday dinner desert…it was amazing then and still is amazing. So glad that I found the recipe again. It was one of my favorite cakes.
Ruth Meyer says
When I was a kid my Mom used to make this for Sunday dinner desert…it was amazing then and still is amazing. So glad that I found the recipe again. It was one of my favorite cakes.