Patriotic Jello Poke Cake

Celebrate the 4th of July with a colorful and delicious Patriotic Jello Poke Cake. It’s easy to change up the colors for other holidays too!

Jello Poke Cake

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. As written, it’s great for the 4th of July, Memorial Day weekend, or Labor Day weekend. But you can easily change up the colors and make this same dessert for Halloween, Christmas, Easter, or for a mermaid party – or whatever you want!

I love sharing this recipe because it’s always a hit. Not to mention, it’s super easy to put together. It would be best if you accounted for some time for the cake to set up.

What is poke cake

Poke cake is a type of cake that is baked, then holes are poked into it. It is then filled with jello, pudding, or some other filling before being topped off with whipped topping, frosting, or other topping. Sometimes, they are garnished with sprinkles, fresh fruit, or other things.

How to make poke cake with jello

1. Start by baking a cake according to package or recipe directions.
2. With the end of a round-shaped wooden-handled spoon, poke holes all over the cake.
3. Mix jello with water. Fill the holes with jello mixture.
4. Allow the cake the set.
5. Just before serving, top the cake with whipped topping or frosting. If desired, add sprinkles or fresh fruit.

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake FAQs

Recipe Tips

• Want an easier way to fill the poked holes? Try filling the holes with a child’s medicine syringe!
• Arrange strawberry slices and blueberries in a flag pattern for an extra fun and patriotic dessert.
• If you prefer frosting over whipped topping, check out the notes section of the recipe card for a simple vanilla buttercream that can be tinted to any color.

Other recipes you may enjoy

• More than 25 Fourth Of July Recipes
• Red Hot Jello Salad
• Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
• Christmas Poke Cake
• No-Churn Patriotic Ripple Ice Cream

4.46 from 22 votes

Servings: 18 servings

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake

By Jamie Sherman

Celebrate the 4th of July with a colorful and delicious Patriotic Jello Poke Cake. It's easy to change up the colors for other holidays too!

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Inactive Time: 4 hours hrs

Total: 4 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

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Equipment

• Patriotic Sprinkles – Red, White, Blue Sprinkles – 4th of July – 2.2 LB
• 8 oz  Patriotic Sprinkles
• measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone Pot Holder Trivet Mats – Hot Pads Spoon Rest, Multipurpose Trivet for Hot Dishers Heat Resistant Food Grade Silicone Set of 4
• rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• Maple Wooden Set Spoon, Multisize, Natural
• baking dish
• Non-Stick 13 x 9-Inch Covered Oblong Baking Pan with Lids, Pack of 2
• hand mixer
• whisk
• mixing bowl

Ingredients 

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For the cake

• ▢ 1 box white cake mix, 15.25 oz. (also eggs, oil, and water called for on the box)

For the filling:

• ▢ 1 ½ cups boiling water, divided
• ▢ 1 package red jello (any flavor), 3 oz.
• ▢ 1 package blue jello (any flavor), 3 oz.
• ▢ 1 cup cold water, divided

For the topping

• ▢ 1 tub frozen whipped topping, thawed, 8 oz.
• ▢ Patriotic colored sprinkles or fresh fruit

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Instructions 

• Prepare and bake the cake according to package directions, using a 13×9-inch cake pan. Let it cool completely. Using the handle of a wooden spoon pokes holes in the cake every 1/2-in to 1-in.
• Empty the red jello package into a medium-sized bowl and add 3/4 cup of boiling water. Stir briskly for 2 minutes or until the jello is dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water and stir. Using a spoon or ladle, carefully fill every other hole with the jello mixture before it cools and sets. Repeat the process with the blue jello, filling the empty holes with the second color. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until the jello is set.
• After the jello is set, top the cake with whipped topping. Top with sprinkles or fruit, if desired.
• Store in refrigerator.

Notes

• Want an easier way to fill the poked holes? Try filling the holes with a child’s medicine syringe!
• Arrange strawberry slices and blueberries in a flag pattern for an extra fun and patriotic dessert.

If you prefer frosting over the whipped topping:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3-3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons milk
• food coloring, if desired

Cream butter and vanilla with an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar and 3 tbsp. milk. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined and fluffy. Add food coloring and beat well. Add more food coloring if more color is desired. If necessary, add 1 tbsp. milk to the frosting if it needs to be thinned out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 171kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 0.3mg, Sodium: 252mg, Potassium: 31mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 9IU, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally published on May 29, 2012. Updated on May 31, 2021.