This super moist Jello poke cake is an old fashioned dessert that can be made with any flavor of Jello. It’s a cool, creamy and colorful cake that is perfect for entertaining!
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
There’s something about chilled desserts in the summertime that are a refreshing and delicious treat. This strawberry jello poke cake recipe is a favorite, as well as strawberry icebox cake and better than anything poke cake.
I remember my grandma making this old fashioned dessert when I was a little girl and I always loved poking the top of the cake before she poured the Jello in. Like my dump cake recipe it is super easy to make and can be made using your favorite flavor of Jello!
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Vanilla cake mix: I used store-bought super moist French vanilla white cake mix but my homemade vanilla cake mix works well here, too. You will bake it according to package directions.
- Jello: I used strawberry jello for the red coloring and strawberry flavor. Do not follow the instruction on the package.
- Water: You will need hot water as well as cold water separately. This will help activate the gelatin in the jello package but also help it form in the refrigerator using cold water.
- Homemade whipped cream: Make your own whipped cream or buy store-bought. Make sure your cake has cooled before spreading it over top.
- Fresh berries: I served my strawberry Jello cake with fresh strawberries, but you can garnish it how you like to match any flavor!
How to Make Jello Poke Cake
- Bake: To get started, mix the cake batter and then bake according to the package directions. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, then poke holes all over the top with a meat fork or butter knife.
- Pour jello over the top: Next mix together jello with hot water. Stir until completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Then add cold water and stir for 1 minute. Pour the jello mixture evenly over the cake, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Add whipped topping: Once it has cooled completely, spread the whipped cream on top with a spatula.
- Chill, top, and serve! Cover the jello cake and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Top with fresh berries or sprinkles just before serving.
Tips and Flavor Variations
- Frosting: My preference for frosting is whipped cream, but homemade cool whip tastes great too. Both are light and airy!
- Cool cake: Make sure the cake is completely cool before adding the whipped topping (or else it will melt).
- Flavor variations: Make a lemon poke cake with lemon cake mix, use white cake with any flavor of jello or try chocolate cake mix with raspberry or cherry Jello.
- Topping: Decorate with fresh fruit, and sprinkles, leave plain or add a layer of pie filling on top of cake before adding the whipped cream.
- Storing: Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover it with a lid or plastic wrap.
4th of July Poke Cake
I love to make this strawberry jello poke cake for a fun 4th of July dessert and use fresh strawberries and blueberries for the American flag.
- Assemble Jello cake as instructed.
- Spread the whipped cream on top once it has cooled.
- Stars: Place about 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries in the top left corner.
- Remove the stems of 15 fresh strawberries. Then slice vertically. Create 3-4 rows of strawberry slices, starting at the top and working your way down.
Storage
- Store: Yes, this jello poke cake dessert is best served cold. It needs to be chilled for at least an hour before serving to allow the jello to soak into the cake. Make sure to cover and keep refrigerated until serving.
- Make ahead. Jello cake is the perfect make-ahead dessert. You could easily make it the day before and let it chill in the fridge overnight.
- Freeze: Freeze it without the whipped topping. Simply wrap with plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw and top with whipped cream or cool whip.
Love using cake mix in desserts? Try out my easy tres leches cake, cake pop recipe and cake mix cookies.
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Jello Poke Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) box super moist French vanilla cake mix , plus ingredients listed on box
- 1 (3-ounce) box Jello , any flavor (I used strawberry)
- 1 cup hot water
- ¾ cup cold water
- 2-3 cups homemade whipped cream , or Cool Whip
- Fresh berries , for topping
Instructions
- Make cake and poke holes. Make the cake mix (and additional ingredients needed) according to package directions. Bake according to the package instructions. Remove the oven and let cool slightly. Using a meat fork or a butter knife, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
- Poke cake with jello. In a large bowl, stir together 1 3 ounce box Jello and 1 cup hot water 2 minutes, or until completely dissolved. Stir in 3/4 cup cold water 1 minute more. Pour mixture evenly over cake. Chill at least 1 hour.
- Spread whipped cream on top. Once the cake is completely cooled, spread 2-3 cups whipped cream evenly over the top.
- Store in the refrigerator until serving. Top with fresh berries just before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 4th of July, American, Cake + Cupcakes, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I make a packet of vanilla instant Pudding and fold it together with cool whip. And another variation I use is chocolate cake mix with cherry jello, and instead of cold water in the jello I mix a cup of cherry coke. My kids love it!!
Yum, sounds so delicious! Great ideas Amber :)
Yes I made it and my family loved it I made it with strawberry jello I’m making it a regular now
So happy to hear that! Thanks for your comment, Bernice :)
This cake was the best and my 4 kids loved it so much we made it so many times ! Thank you for sharing this recipe with the whole world !
With love ,
Katelynne Brewer
This makes me so happy to hear, Katelynne! Thank you for sharing :) I’m so glad your kids loved it!
I would like to make this for Christmas. Can you use red and green Jello?
Hi Josie! Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, you can use any flavor of Jello in this recipe. :)
Made the Chocolate Cupcake recipe and it was very moist. Delicious cupcakes the best I have ever tasted!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Can I make my own cake? Don’t like cake in a box.
Yes, of course! :)
Love how easy and delicious this cake is! Definitely one of my kid’s favorites!
So easy and yummy, it’s perfect for whipping up on a time crunch!
Yummy! This jello poke cake is awesome and so easy to make! :) :)
Great!
Can you freeze?
Hi Connie! It’s best to freeze the jello cake after adding the jello and before the cream and fruit.
Poke cake is the BEST! Perfect for summer picnics!
The perfect way to satisfy my sweet tooth! Deliciousness!
What a delicious light and fluffy dessert! The perfect treat for the 4th of July!
I have never seen a Cake that looks so moist, fluffy yet irresistible and bursting with a fruity flavor, this is a must try!
This is seriously making me hungry! This looks totally awesome!
This cake brings back so many great memories! This was always my brother’s pick for his birthday cake. I can’t wait to make this!
Such a pretty cake! Making this for my 4th of July party!
Hope you enjoy! :)