Jello Poke Cake

This Jell-O poke cake recipe calls for convenient ingredients and it comes together quickly – there’s a reason this simple and colorful dessert has stood the test of time. 

Jell-O Poke Cake Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to add to your grocery list to make this old-fashioned Jell-O poke cake recipe: 

• Cake mix: This easy recipe starts with a package of yellow cake mix.
• Water: You’ll need a cup of water for the cake mix, ¼ cup of cold water to soften the gelatin, and a cup of boiling water to dissolve the granules. 
• Eggs: Three large acts lend moisture to the cake batter and help bind the ingredients together. 
• Oil: A neutral oil, such as vegetable oil, adds moisture without imparting flavor. 
• Gelatin: This recipe calls for a package of strawberry-flavored gelatin, but you can use whatever flavor you prefer. 
• Whipped topping: A container of whipped topping is the perfect finishing touch. 

Test Kitchen Tips

“Poke cakes are not intimidating and they’re just a whole lot of fun,” says culinary producer and test kitchen expert Nicole McLaughlin. Here are some of her best poke cake tips: 

• Nicole uses a wooden skewer instead of a fork to poke holes in the cake, as the holes need to be slightly far apart to create a “swirly tie-dyed effect.”
• Not a strawberry fan? No worries! You can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste, according to Nicole. She suggests trying a pineapple poke cake or custard-based poke cake. 
• While the cake will start to set up in the fridge after about one hour, Nicole recommends chilling it for longer. Better? Four to six hours. Best? Overnight.

How to Make Jell-O Poke Cake

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this vintage Jell-O poke cake: 

1. Make the cake batter, pour it into the prepared pan, and bake in the preheated oven.
2. Soften the gelatin, then stir in boiling water until the granules are dissolved. 
3. Poke holes over the cake and pour gelatin into the holes. 
4. Refrigerate until set, then spread the topping over the cake. 

How to Store Jell-O Poke Cake

Store the Jell-O poke cake, tightly covered with storage wrap or foil, in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams