This quick and easy jello poke cake is a family favorite for good reason. It’s a vintage dessert from my grandma’s recipe box that is perfect to serve year-round since it’s so effortless to make.
After baking, you’ll have a perfect, moist cake that you poke holes in before pouring Jello on top. A layer of Cool Whip serves as a light, fluffy frosting. The result is a gorgeous poke cake that melts in your mouth. For another easy dessert recipe that uses jello as an ingredient, try our jello pie!
Why is it Called jello Poke Cake?
A poke cake is a regular cake baked in a 9×13 dish that after baking has holes poked in it with either fork tines or the end of a spoon.
The holes are then filled with either Jello or pudding before being topped with frosting. This produces a moist, tasty poke cake that melts in your mouth and has the absolute best flavor.
There is a reason fun, retro homemade desserts last for generations — they’re easy to make, and have such a great, original flavor that everyone goes crazy for.
Other Flavors of Poke Cake
I love how versatile jello poke cake is. You can use virtually any flavor of Jello and top with fresh fruit. After baking a white or vanilla cake, you can use orange, lime, lemon, cherry, raspberry, peach or even pineapple to make this yummy treat. You could even use chocolate pudding if you don’t want a fruit flavor.
However, I think the lovely red and white combo of this strawberry one is a great addition to a Christmas party during the holidays.
Other poke cakes our readers’ love include:
- Better Than Sex Cake
- Lemon Poke Cake
- Chocolate Poke Cake <-with mocha frosting
- Coconut Poke Cake
- Hawaiian Wedding Cake < it’s actually a delicious poke cake!
Jello Poke Cake Ingredients you will need:
- 1 box white cake mix + ingredients called for on box
- 1 3.4-ounce package strawberry jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip
Steps for making a jello poke cake
How to Make Jello Poke Cake
Mix the cake mix and all the ingredients the cake mix calls for in a bowl. Typically this is oil, water, and eggs. You can substitute butter and milk for the oil and water if you like. It will produce a richer flavor!
After mixing, pour the cake batter in a 9×13 pan that is sprayed with non-stick spray.
Bake according to the box directions — usually about 45 minutes. Once you remove the cake from the oven, use a fork to poke holes throughout the cake.
Mix the boiling water with Jello and stir until dissolved, then add cold water. Pour over the entire cake, allowing the Jello to seep into all the holes you poked with the fork.
Once cool, cover with an even layer of Cool Whip. I love using strawberry Jello and topping with a few fresh, sliced strawberries before serving.
If you use another flavor of Jello, you could top with the corresponding fresh fruit like raspberries, cherries, orange slices, and so on.
Can You Freeze a Jello Poke Cake?
Yes, if you’re going to freeze your Jello poke cake, you should do so after baking, poking, and adding the Jello. You’ll want to leave off the Cool Whip and fresh fruit until you’re ready to serve.
Make sure to store in an airtight, well-sealed container to keep it fresh. It will last about a month in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, you can thaw in the fridge until it’s time to serve.
Any leftover poke cake should be stored in the fridge for one to three days, tightly wrapped.
This classic, homemade Jello poke cake is a fun, retro dessert that your family will request again and again. I hope you try it soon!
See Also:
- Our old-fashioned custard pie is a traditional Southern recipe I snagged from my grandma.
- Our whole gang is crazy about this yummy carrot cake — another family favorite!
- We think this cool banana pudding is the best.
- Nannie’s key lime pie is a vintage original that she’s been serving for years.
- It doesn’t get any easier than our chocolate cherry dump cake with just three ingredients.
- Our cherry pineapple dump cake is another simple favorite we love year-round.
More Cake Recipes You’ll Love:
More easy Desserts:
- Chocolate Lasagna
- Red Velvet Cookies
- Peach Cobbler
- Pineapple Dream Dessert < from grandma’s recipe box
Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix + ingredients called for on box
- 1 3.3 ounce package strawberry jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 8 ounce tub of Cool Whip
- fresh strawberries for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Prepare cake to directions, and after baking poke holes throughout the cake with a fork.
- Mix boiling water with Jello and stir until dissolved, then pour in cold water.
- Pour Jello over the entire cake, allowing to seep into holes.
- Cover with Cool Whip.
- You can also add fresh fruit to the top before slicing and serving!
So delicious! A great twist on this recipe!
I’ve yet to make this recipe with jello. But the chocolate pudding poke cake is to die for.