Cake with jello drizzles poked throughout, and topped with a smooth layer of whipped cream! This light and cool Jello Poke Cake recipe is always a crowd favorite.
It’s one of our favorite summer desserts! Not only is it cool and light, but it’s topped with whipped cream. Be sure to check out some of our other poke cake variations including banana pudding poke cake and Boston cream poke cake.
Strawberry jello Cake
I have fond memories of family gatherings and parties that involve this long-time-family-favorite dessert – Jello Poke Cake (we love it so much we’ve made so many variations on the site you can find HERE).
While it’s absolutely unparalleled at BBQ’s and summer parties because of its cool and creamy texture… Let’s be honest – I crave it year round.
Picture this: a delicious cake with fruity jello poked throughout, and topped with a smooth layer of whipped cream. Needless to say, it’s always a crowd favorite.
What’s awesome is that you can change out the flavor of jello depending on your mood. We almost always use strawberry, but our other favorites are raspberry and cherry. I’ve also done lime, blue raspberry and orange before, but those are definitely a little more adventurous!
How to make Jello Cake
This Jello cake is really so simple, which is probably why we make it ALL the time.
CAKE. Begin by making your cake (whether you make one from scratch, or use a box mix – either one is perfect!) Once the cake is slightly cooled, poke holes with a fork at 1/2 inch intervals.
JELLO. From there, make your jello as you regularly would according to the box, and then carefully pour it over the cake, making sure it gets in all the holes you previously made.
CHILL. Chill the cake for a few hours and top with whipped cream right before serving, and you’re set! So easy and SO delicious!
Tips for poke cake:
- You can use a cake made from scratch, a box cake, or a store bought cake.
- White cake pairs well with all flavors of jello
- Add a layer of similar pie filling to the top of the cake then top that with whip cream. Such as strawberry jello with strawberry pie filling
- For a nice clean slice, wipe the knife after each cut.
How long does it take for the jello to set? It won’t set up like normal gelatin does, but it will take at least a few hours for the jello to soak into the cake and cool completely. So plan ahead when making this poke cake!
How to speed up the cook time: You can speed up the time it takes to make this dish a couple of ways.
- First, you can buy a pre-made, unfrosted white cake at a local bakery.
- Second, stick the cake in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. Long enough to set the jello, but not freeze the cake.
VARIATIONS & STORING
Can I make poke cupcakes? Absolutely! Instead of making a 9×13 cake make cupcakes according to the directions on the box. Once the cupcakes have cooled poke them with a fork or skewer, use a soup spoon to drizzle jello into the holes and chill
Can I use chocolate cake mix? Of course. This recipe can be used to make any flavor of cake mix and pair it with a complimentary flavor. Such as chocolate cake with raspberry or black cherry jello.
How do I store poke cake?
- Refrigerate: Because of the jello, keep the cake chilled. Tightly cover the cake and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Freeze: To freeze, wrap cake with plastic wrap, then again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
Note: If the cake is frosted, then you’ll need to flash freeze it first. You do this by placing individual pieces on a baking sheet, making sure they are not touching. Freeze for 2-3 hours, or until the outside is frozen, then wrap in plastic and foil, label and return to the freezer.
more Poke Cake delicious-ness
We love poke cakes so much we have a large variety here on the site. Something about having a delicious filling or jello poked through out the cake makes it irresistible. Here are some of our favorites on the site:
- Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake
- Boston Cream Poke Cake
- Lemon Lime Poke Cake
- Red Velvet Poke Cake
I know you’ll love this simple, cool, and delicious treat! It’s also pretty light and not as decadent as some of the chocolate treats we make, which is another reason why I love it so much. 😉
For more cool cake recipes, check out:
Jello Poke Cake Recipe
I Love Jello Poke Cake! I Went With Raspberry Here, But You Can Easily Make A Cherry Or A Strawberry Poke Cake.
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix box and any ingredients listed on box
- 1 3.3 oz jello mix raspberry, cherry or strawberry
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tub Cool Whip or Homemade Whipped Topping
Instructions
-
Prepare cake mix as directed and bake in a 9x13 pan. Let cool for 15 minutes.
-
Poke cake with fork at ½ inch intervals.
-
Prepare jell-o as directed. Spoon over cake mix until jell-o liquid is all gone.
-
Chill 3 to 4 hours and top with whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve. ENJOY!
That pink looks perfect for Valentine’s Day! I’ve never had a cake like this. Does it make the cake soggy?
No, but it makes it super moist and so refreshing. Let me know if you ever try it out. 🙂
The cake came out very soggy. I had made this cake many years ago and it wasn’t soggy at all. It wasn’t this recipe. Don’t remember how much of the Jello mixture I ised, but I will DEFINITELY not use all of the liquid tHe next time I make this cake. Very disappointed. The cake mix I used was Duncan Hines SupEr MoIst classic white.
I am sorry it was. I have never had it turn out soggy, so I am not sure what happened. Thank you for trying it!
What size box of jello big or small one?
jUST THE THREE OZ. BOX. bUT IF YOU HAVE THE LARGER BOX, SIMPLY USE TWO CUPS AND LET THE OTHER TWO CUPS SET AS REGULAR JELLO.
Love your Poke cake……..if you’d like to expand the recipe try taking a big spoon and pouring in hot pudding first into holes you make in the cake. Then pour the jello all over and refrigerate. Yummie and smooth. Perfect for summer time
Thanks for the tip, Deanna – I will try that next time!
I’m looking at my pudding recipe, it just calls for cold mil. Heat it in microwave???
Do you let the jello set up at all before pouring it on the cake? Mine totally absorbed into the cake and never solidified in the holes- even after a few hours. My cake was cool. The flavors were awesome so I am determined to find out where I went wrong and try it again. Thanks!
What size cake mix & box of jello is required. Also what is the serving size. I look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Gee
Thank you for making a recipe that is wonderful and so easy..!!!
You’re so very welcome!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Thank you
You are so welcome!!
I love how easy this cake is to make & how incredibly good it is. I took it to a church event & it was gone in minutes!
Love this! Such an easy and yummy cake!!
I am so glad you think so 🙂 It is my go-to!! Thank you!
We made this for a family gathering and everyone loved this cake. So easy and so delicious ????
Love taking this to family gatherings!! I am glad your family liked it! Thank you so much!
When it comes to cake, this has to be one of my family’s favorites! So soft and tasty!
I’ve had this yummy recipe so many times at events. I hadn’t realized it was so easy to make until finding the recipe here. Thanks for sharing
Wonderful poke cake, Ive made this for years.
It’s my favorite go-to! I am glad you think that! Thank you!
This is one of our favorite go-to desserts! It’s light & fluffy, easy to make, & so tasty! It’s the perfect summer dessert!
I love how simple this is to make! So delicious!
So yummy and so easy! We make this every summer and it is always a hit
Such a great idea! I loved the flavor the jello added to the cake!
We really enjoy this jello cake! It’s so easy and absolutely delicious!
WE love this easy jello cake! It’s the perfect dessert for hot summer days!!!
13.3 oz of jello? Is that correct?seems like a lot of jello. Most recipes that i looked up called for 3oz of jello. So is your recipe correCt? I want to make it for mothers day!!
Wonderful cake. So easy
Thank you so much 🙂
It is 1 (3.3oz) box 🙂 Sorry, to have not responded sooner. Hopefully, you tried it & it worked out!
Love this simple dessert that everybody likes. Its a Favorite during the summer because its cool and light!
I loVe fruity desserts and love the idea of using pie filling to top off the cake. So yummy!
I made this dessert for easter and it was so good, simple and refreshing. This is a great recipe for summertime! I can’t wait to make it again!
Looking good jello cake!
Thank you 🙂
I make the cake as described, but I vary the icing. I let the cool whip thaw until it is a creamy consistency. I add in 1 box of instant vanilla pudding mix an 1 cup of milk. Blend well. Spread a couple hours before serving, so it has time to set up in the fridge. It makes a super creamy frosting, that has a ton of flavor. (You could use instant chocolate pudding if you wanted chocolate covered strawberry jello cake). Enjoy!
That sounds perfect!! I will have to try that next time! Thank you for sharing that!
I have a wuestion i made my cake put the jello into it when i cut into it i seen i didnt put nearly enough jello into it could i add more jello to it
When did you cut into it? You can add more into the holes, but not after it’s baked.
I did orange jello but when making cake added orange juice insTed off water also cool whip added instant pudding mix with 1cup of milk
Sounds great!! I hope you liked it! Thank you for sharing!
This is the first time trying making a poke cake my kids are grown so I’m making it for their step dad. I hope it turns out ok. Question though, I’m not putting a topping on it is it still going to be moist and yummy? 😕 Hoping so I. Missouri lol thank you for your help✌
Yes, it will still be moist & yummy! I haven’t tried leaving the topping off, but I am sure it will still be great!
love the poke cakes. and so easy to make.
Me too! Thank you for stopping by!
HOw are you making the frosting?? What are the measurements?
It is just topped with whipped topping. I buy the tub. You can use however much you would like on it 🙂
Great cake and east to make!
Happy to know you think that! Thank you for sharing that!!
This cake was super moist and easy to make. Instead of plain whipped topping i used a pack of VANILLA pudding, 1 cup of milk and 4oz of whipped topping to make a light and fluffy flavored icing. It was a hit in my house!
That sounds delicious!! I will have to try 🙂 Thanks for sharing that!
I’m am making this cake.. I hope its good
It is seriously my favorite! I hope you liked it! Thank you 🙂
My sons absolute favorite cake! I combine one 3 oz box of prepared instant vanilla pudding with the cool whip for the topping… makes it absolutely amazing !! You will not be disappointed!
Sounds great! Thank you for sharing that!
This recipe is not new to me but it is a wonderful cakE. Is there a way to post a pic?
It’s my favorite! I don’t allow pics from others to get uploaded on here, I’m sorry! But, I believe it’s a pretty cake!
I fIrst made this cake years ago fOr my husband to take to his Christmas Party At work. Everybody there loved it he said! He brought home a cleaned empty baking dish. The next time i wanted to make the Jello poke cake, i couldn’t find my recipe. I have not made it sincE. That was in the 1970’s. I am thrilled to have fOund the recipe once agAin and i Will be sure to never lose it!!! Fyi FOr christmas i used cherry and lime jello, and after MakiNg round holes with the handLe of a wooden spoon, i First Poured the cherry flavor over the top in a Zig-zag pattern. Then i poured the lime flavor over the part of the cake top i had not poured with the cherry. I used all of bOth flAvors. Into the fridge to get it nice and cold. Then i spread the Cool whip All over the top of the cake and put it back Into the fridGe. That was the Day before the Christmas parTy. My hubby told me that it taSted delicious and it was reAl ChrIstmassy lookIng, especially after it was sliced into square pieces. I decorated the top with a sprinkling of snowflake marshmallows, bUt i haven’t seen those in years. This is a fun cake to mAke and eAt!
That sounds perfect! I am so glad you found this recipe & that it’s a hit! Thank you!
I going to make this right now and my friends told me this was a great cake to make with any jello favor
It really is! I’ve tried so many! Hope you like it!
I inherited this recipe from my mom 20 years ago when it was shown as a two layer round cake with one layer cherry and one layer lime — for christmas — with Cool-whip between the layers, on the sides, and on the top. However using a fork never got enough Jell-o into the cake and using a wooden spoon handle mushed the cake at the bottom of the holes. My solution was to use a use a straw. And since the straw can result in a thin layer of Jell-o on the bottom of the cake pan, I flip over cake then “ice” the upside-down cake. I’ve made it in round layers, square layers, and 9×13 single layer. Whatever version, it always turns out to be a crowd pleaser.
It sure does! Thanks for sharing that!
So do you add cold water to jeLlo after you mix it With hot water?
Yes 🙂
Hi Kristyn…I thought I had tried all the oldies. since I was born in 1961 I spent a lot of time with my grandma…she Was a wizard with all jelo fun things in the day! I try to limit extra sugar when and where most of the time…can this dessert be made with the sugar free jelo mixs?
It sure could 🙂 Hope you like it!
Thank u for the recipe! I havent made it in years so i just needed a little memory boost!
Glad it could help! Thank you 🙂
First time making this yummy treat!
I used sugar free cherry jello mix (the smaller box) WHICH yields 2 cups like the original recipe…it was killer moist and oh so yummy good. I’ll keep it on top of my festive, easy, flexible FLAVORed cake recipes. I’m really surprised I don’t recall my grandma making this for me when I was a little kid in the 60s…she was a jello wizard
I am glad you tried it! Thank you for letting me know what you did & thought!
my moms favorite she taught me to make, i can eat whole thing
I am glad she taught you! I can eat the whole thing, too! Thank you!
I wanted to make this but stores no longer sell a 13.3 0z box of Jello. I esp wanted to make it with sugar free Jello, and again no Jello is that size. I had to but 0.3 oz package and try to figure out how much I need and ended up with 4 times the amount! This receipee need to be changed!
The recipe is 1 (3.3ounce) box 🙂 That will make a big difference.