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–+ servings
piece of red white and blue jello poke cake on a white plate square
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4.73 from 11 votes

Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake

This 4th of July Poke Cake is the perfect, patriotic dessert for your family gathering or holiday cookout. Super easy to make - it starts with a box of cake mix!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16
Calories: 168kcal
Author: Jennifer Fishkind

Ingredients

  • 1 white cake mix plus ingredients listed on the box (mine was 1 cup water, ½ cup oil, 3 eggs)
  • 1 3 oz package red jello
  • 1 3 oz package blue jello
  • 2 cups boiling water divided
  • 1 cup cold water divided
  • 1 8 oz tub whipped topping thawed
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • Sprinkles

Instructions

  • Bake your cake according to the package directions and let it cool for at least 30 minutes.
  • Using the end of a wooden spoon poke holes over the entire cake. They should be about ½ - ¾ the depth of the cake, just don’t poke all the way through.
  • In a small bowl or large measuring cup dissolve red jello in 1 cup of boiling water. When jello powder is dissolved stir in ½ cup cold water.
  • In a separate small bowl or large measuring cup dissolve the blue jello in 1 cup of boiling water. When the jello powder is dissolved stir in ½ cup cold water.
  • Carefully pour the red and blue jello into alternating holes in the cake. Be careful not to mix them or you will end up with a purple cake.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together whipped topping and powdered sugar
  • Spread whipped topping over the cake and top with sprinkles

Notes

Tips:
  • Don’t poke all the way through the cake or the colors will mix at the bottom and you will end up with purple.
  • If you use the same bowl to mix the jello make sure to wash, not just rinse, it between colors or your jello will not be as clear and vibrant and may start to turn purple.
  • You can pour the jello into the holes using a measuring cup or bowl with a spout, condiment bottles, or a syringe.
  • I like to mix my whipped topping with powdered sugar for a few reasons. It thickens it a bit which makes it easier to spread. I also feel like it holds up a bit longer in the heat, which is nice if you are bringing the cake to a picnic or BBQ.

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg