Go Back

Red, White and Blue Poke Cake

Red, white and blue poke cake is an easy sheet cake with vivid red and blue Jell-O stripes soaked into the white crumb. It’s baked, poked, layered with two Jell-O pours, chilled, then topped with whipped topping and patriotic sprinkles.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 15 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

white cake mix
  • 1 box white cake mix Use the box ingredients (eggs, oil, and water) as directed; include them in the bake step.
strawberry Jell-O
  • 3 oz strawberry Jell-O
blue berry Jell-O
  • 3 oz berry blue Jell-O
boiling water
  • 2 cup boiling water, divided
cold water
  • 1 cup cold water, divided
whipped topping
  • 8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
red and blue star sprinkles
  • 1 red and blue star sprinkles for garnish
fresh strawberries and blueberries
  • 1 fresh strawberries and blueberries for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 9x13 baking pan

Method
 

Bake and cool the cake
  1. Bake the white cake in a 9x13 pan according to package directions. Cool for 15 minutes, until it’s warm rather than hot.
Poke holes
  1. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake about 1 inch apart. Keep the holes evenly spaced so the Jell-O soaks through consistently.
Soak with strawberry Jell-O
  1. Dissolve the strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Pour slowly over the left half of the cake so the liquid fills the holes.
Soak with blue Jell-O
  1. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Pour over the right half of the cake so red and blue stripes form side-by-side.
Chill
  1. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours until the Jell-O is fully set inside the cake. Chill until the surface feels firm when gently pressed.
Frost and garnish
  1. Spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the chilled cake. Make sure it covers the entire surface for a clean white layer.
Serve
  1. Decorate with red and blue star sprinkles and fresh strawberries and blueberries before serving. Slice to reveal the vivid red and blue Jell-O stripes soaked into the white cake.

Notes

Pro tip: pour the Jell-O slowly and directly onto the holes to prevent puddles on top. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; the texture is best within the first 2 days. Freezing is not recommended because the Jell-O and whipped topping can weep when thawed. For a lighter option, use a reduced-fat whipped topping or homemade whipped cream folded with a thickener to help it hold its shape.