Flavorful Red White and Blue Poke Cake Easy Patriotic Jello Dessert Recipe
A quick and easy patriotic poke cake featuring red and blue Jello layers soaked into a moist white cake, topped with whipped cream. Perfect for celebrations like July 4th and summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix (e.g., Pillsbury or Duncan Hines)
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (80 ml)
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 packet (3 oz) red Jello (strawberry or cherry flavor)
- 1 packet (3 oz) blue Jello (blueberry or berry blue flavor)
- 1 cup boiling water (240 ml), divided
- 1 cup cold water (240 ml), divided (1/2 cup per Jello packet)
- 12 oz whipped topping (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine white cake mix, 1 cup water, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, and 3 egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center at 25 minutes; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the cake completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Boil 1 cup water and divide evenly (1/2 cup per Jello flavor). Dissolve red Jello in 1/2 cup boiling water, stir until dissolved, then add 1/2 cup cold water. Repeat for blue Jello in a separate bowl.
- Using a fork or toothpick, poke holes about 1/2 inch apart all over the cooled cake, being careful not to break the bottom.
- Pour red Jello evenly over half the cake. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes to set slightly.
- Pour blue Jello over the other half. Chill again for 15 minutes or until both layers are firm.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over the cake.
- Chill the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and make slicing easier.
Notes
Do not add Jello to warm cake to avoid melting. Chill between Jello layers to keep distinct colors. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean slicing. For gluten-free, use almond flour cake mix. For dairy-free, substitute whipped topping with coconut whipped cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Protein: 2
Keywords: poke cake, patriotic dessert, red white and blue cake, Jello poke cake, easy summer dessert, July 4th dessert, layered cake, whipped topping