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This Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake will be the talk of every potluck, family reunion, and cookout this summer!

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Some of the most popular recipes on my blog are poke cake recipes. I’m not sure if it’s the novelty of a “poke cake” or the fact that they are so easy to make and the flavor combinations are almost endless. When presented with the opportunity to create a cookbook, I had a few ideas. However, the one that stuck out the most, and the one I knew I wanted to publish, was a poke cake cookbook.
I have to start off by telling you that I am in love with this cake! Not only is it a family favorite – but it has rapidly become a reader favorite too! It’s one of the many delicious recipes I share in my cookbook!
Some of you may be asking yourself what exactly is a poke cake. Don’t feel alone – I’ve heard that question so many times!! A poke cake is a baked cake that literally has holes “poked” into it and is generally filled with pudding, flavored gelatin, or some kind of other fillings before being topped with frosting, whipped topping, or other toppings. In this case, a white cake is poked then filled with raspberry-flavored gelatin before being topped with raspberry preserves, Cool Whip, and shredded coconut.
Recipe for Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
- white cake mix
- Ingredients listed on the box to prepare cake
- raspberry-flavored gelatin
- hot water
- raspberry preserves (seedless is best if you can find it)
- Cool Whip
- shredded coconut

How to make Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
- Bake the cake according to package directions using a 9×13-in. baking pan.
- After the cake has baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Using the handle end of a wooden spoon or a meat fork, poke cake every inch or so with the handle of wooden spoon or tines of meat fork halfway into the cake. There is no set number of holes, but you want plenty of places to fill. Mix the raspberry gelatin with 2 cups of hot water until dissolved. Pour the Jello evenly over the cake, trying to fill the holes as much as you can.
- In a small bowl, microwave the raspberry preserves until easy to spread, about 30 seconds. Pour the preserves over the top of the cake and spread evenly. Top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle the shredded coconut over the top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
A few tips for making Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
- Look for seedless raspberry jam if the seeds are a problem!
- If you plan on sharing this cake at a potluck or any kind of gathering – print off plenty of copies of the recipe – or you can send them directly here to the website for the full recipe – people WILL want the recipe!

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Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix, 18.25oz.
- Ingredients listed on box to prepare cake
- 1 box raspberry flavored gelatin (Jello), 3 oz.
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 jar raspberry preserves, 10 oz.
- 1 tub Cool Whip, thawed, 8 oz.
- 1 bag shredded coconut, 7 oz.
Instructions
- Bake the cake according to package directions using a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- After the cake has baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Using the handle end of a wooden spoon or a meat fork, poke cake every inch or so with the handle of wooden spoon or tines of meat fork halfway into the cake. There is no set number of holes, but you want plenty of places to fill. Mix the raspberry gelatin with 2 cups of hot water until dissolved. Pour the Jello evenly over the cake, trying to fill the holes as much as you can.
- In a small bowl, microwave the raspberry preserves until easy to spread, about 30 seconds. Pour the preserves over the top of the cake and spread evenly. Top with Cool Whip. Sprinkle the shredded coconut over the top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Look for seedless raspberry jam if the seeds are a problem!
- If you plan on sharing this cake at a potluck or any kind of gathering – print off plenty of copies of the recipe – or you can send them directly here to the website for the full recipe – people WILL want the recipe!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published on December 4, 2013. Updated on May 21, 2020.





I made this for my mom’s birthday & everyone loved it! Really tastes like a raspberry Zinger 😋
As an alternative, since I don’t like coconut, what are your thoughts about using shaved or grated white chocolate fir the top. Should have the sane effect, just not coconut. I love raspberry and this looks very festive for the holiday. Thank you for all of your hard work and willingness to share your recipes.
Hello Jaime I am making my third cake for my boyfriend’s birthday today but my first one I made I used blackberry jam on half and strawberry on the other half!!! I think I like the blackberry better than the raspberry but I am going with all raspberry today!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!!!
My husband and I neither one really care for raspberry flavored desserts, but I made this as a trial run before making and taking this to a work potluck. It was AMAZING!! My husband said that this is the second best cake he has ever had. It will definitely be adding this to my list of favorite cakes.
I tried this last month with a Dolly Parton Coconut Cake mix and skipped the coconut on top. It tasted exactly like a raspberry zinger.
Do you let the jello cool down before you pour it on it on the cake
You don’t need to.
I think it’s really important to add that you should let everything cool after you apply the raspberry topping!!!!
Absolutely delicious!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
I made this cake for my monthly card class. OMG!! So delicious. It’s really light and fluffy and the raspberry flavor is just so good. I used the seedless raspberry preserves and that was a good choice. And since I love coconut I may have used way more than I was supposed to. Give it a try! You will not regret it!!
I make something similar to this, but looking fwd to trying this one!!
FYI I put a little instant vanilla pudding mix in the cool whip and I think it adds flavor and creaminess to the topping. Every one always love it!
Thank you for the new recipe…
How much instant vanilla pudding? I like the sound of this!!