Rainbow Jello Cakern

Name: Rainbow Jello Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 198 min
Ingredients: 15.25 ounces white cake mix; 1 cup water; ½ cup vegetable oil; 4 egg whites, (room temperature); 3 cups boiling water; 3 ounces strawberry gelatin mix; 3 ounces orange gelatin mix; 3 ounces lemon gelatin mix; 3 ounces lime gelatin mix; 3 ounces berry blue gelatin mix; food color gel ((orange, yellow, green, blue, and red)); 8 ounces whipped topping, (thawed); Rainbow sprinkles, (optional garnish)

a close up shot of a slice of Rainbow Jello Cake on a plate

Infused with fruit flavors and vibrant colors, this rainbow jello cake is sure to impress and delight.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time20

Cook Time28

Total Time3 18

Servings

Table of Contents

Rainbow Jello Cake Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Rainbow Jello Cake Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

Everyone loves a colorful, flavorful dessert and this rainbow jello cake combines everything you love about traditional jello in a new way that is sure to dazzle. This eye-catching poke cake features moist cake infused with a delightful array of jello flavors to create a work of art.

Rainbow Jello Cake Ingredients

Rainbow Jello Cake raw ingredients that are labeled

Imagine biting into a light and fluffy cake layer, only to be met with a burst of fruity jello flavors.

Each color is distinct, yet melds beautifully with the others, creating a symphony of sweetness in your mouth.

The colorful appearance of the cake is not just for show; it elevates the flavor experience by adding a burst of excitement to every bite.

You’ll need:

1 (15.25-ounce) box of white cake mix
1 cup of cold water
½ cup of vegetable oil
4 egg whites, room temperature
3 cups of boiling water
1 (3-ounce) box of strawberry gelatin mix
1 (3-ounce) box of orange gelatin mix
1 (3-ounce) box of lemon gelatin mix
1 (3-ounce) box of lime gelatin mix
1 (3-ounce) box of berry blue gelatin mix
Red, orange, yellow, green, and blue food color gel
1 (8-ounce) container of Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed
Rainbow sprinkles, optional garnish

Substitutions And Additions

JELLO FLAVOR: You can substitute different flavors of gelatin for the gelatin listed in the recipe.

CAKE MIX: You can substitute yellow or French vanilla cake mix for the white cake in this rainbow poke cake.

How To Make This Rainbow Jello Cake Recipe

Our easy directions will walk you through adding each distinct jello color to this delicious cake.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baker’s spray (Baker’s Joy or generic version).

STEP TWO: Add the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use a handheld mixer on medium speed to mix the ingredients just until combined, and no lumps remain. Pour batter into the cake pan. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes away clean.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cake at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

cake mix, water, oil, and egg white added to a bowl

STEP THREE: Allow the cake to cool slightly before using the handle of a chopstick or slim, round wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake ¾ to 1 inch apart over the whole cake. Allow the cake to cool completely.

PRO TIP:

We found that the handle of a standard-size wooden spoon was too large for this specific poke cake. A chopstick is a perfect size.

STEP FOUR: Add 1 flavor of gelatin to each of 5 small heat-safe bowls. Add ½ cup boiling water to each flavor and stir well until the jello crystals completely dissolve.

STEP FIVE: Add 5 to 7 drops of the food color gel to the corresponding gelatin flavor (red food color to the strawberry gelatin, orange to the orange gelatin, etc.). This will make the colors more vibrant.

STEP SIX: Using either a teaspoon or a drizzling spoon, alternate drizzling just enough of the jello mixture into a hole to color the hole. Do not fill the hole completely up. That will cause the cake to become overly drenched, and you will not get the defined shafts of color you want. You will not use all of the jello; you will have leftovers.

PRO TIP:

You can use the leftover gelatin to make gelatin squares or even use small-shaped cutters (like stars, hearts, or other shapes) to garnish the top of the whipped topping instead of rainbow sprinkles.

STEP SEVEN: Once you have drizzled the different colors, cover it with plastic wrap and chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

STEP EIGHT: Once completely chilled, remove the cake from the refrigerator. Use an offset spatula or a silicone spatula to smooth the entire container of whipped topping over the cake. Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles. Slice into 12 slices. Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve.

whipped topping poured and smoothed over the cake and sprinkle rainbow sprinkles

How To Serve

This pretty rainbow jello poke cake will make a bright and fun addition to any party or special occasion. Perfect for a rainbow-themed birthday party, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and our rainbow sherbet punch.

You could also consider serving fresh fruit slices on the side, such as strawberries, blueberries, or kiwi.

Colorful desserts add to the fun of any celebration. Our unicorn cheesecake bites and rainbow cake roll are sure to delight your guests at any gathering.

MORE JELLO RECIPES

Poke Cakes

Jello Poke Cake

Pie Recipes

Strawberry Jello Pie Recipe

Storage

Pop this colorful cake in the freezer to enjoy later or to save time if you are making it for a special occasion.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover jello rainbow cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the un-topped rainbow cake made with jello for up to 3 months. Allow the cake to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before topping it with the whipped topping and rainbow sprinkles.

overhead shot of slices of Rainbow Jello Cake on a baking dish with a couple taken out

Displaying all of the colors of the rainbow, this moist rainbow jello cake has a fruity flavor in every bite. Not only does the jello add a delicious flavor to the cake but creates a beautiful masterpiece inside.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a poke cake?

It’s an easy cake that you poke holes into while it’s still hot after baking. The holes are then filled with a liquid or filling — like condensed milk, pureed fruit, chocolate cream, jello, or pudding. It makes a moist and delicious cake.

What do you use to poke holes in poke cake?

For most poke cakes, we recommend using the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake. For this particular cake, we think a chopstick is just right to give the colorful effect you’re looking for.

Can I freeze this recipe for rainbow cake with jello?

This great recipe can be kept in the freezer for up to three months without the topping.

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