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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 through a white cake. Bake, poke, pour two flavored Jell-O layers, then chill until fully set and finish with whipped topping, patriotic sprinkles, and fresh berries.
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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: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

white cake base
  • 1 white cake mix, plus ingredients on box Use the eggs/oil/water listed on the box for a 9x13 cake.
strawberry layer
  • 3 oz strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 cup boiling water Reserve 1 cup for dissolving strawberry Jell-O.
  • 0.5 cup cold water Reserve 1/2 cup for strawberry Jell-O.
blue layer
  • 3 oz berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 cup boiling water Reserve 1 cup for dissolving berry blue Jell-O.
  • 0.5 cup cold water Reserve 1/2 cup for berry blue Jell-O.
topping and garnish
  • 8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
  • 1 Red and blue star sprinkles for garnish
  • 1 Fresh strawberries and blueberries for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake the cake
  1. Bake the white cake in a 9x13 pan according to package directions. Bake until set and lightly golden, then let cool for 15 minutes at room temperature.
Poke the cake
  1. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake about 1 inch apart. Press down gently so the holes reach through the cake without tearing it.
Make and add the red layer
  1. Dissolve strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then pour slowly over the left half of the cake so the liquid soaks into the holes.
Make and add the blue layer
  1. Dissolve berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then pour over the right half of the cake to fill the holes evenly.
Chill to set
  1. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours until Jell-O is fully set inside the cake. Keep it covered so the top stays clean while chilling.
Frost and decorate
  1. Spread whipped topping evenly over the top of the chilled cake. Decorate with red and blue star sprinkles and fresh strawberries and blueberries before serving.

Notes

Pro tip: pour the Jell-O slowly right after mixing so it has time to run into every hole before the next layer goes on. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (freeze not recommended because the Jell-O and whipped topping texture changes). For a lighter option, use sugar-free Jell-O and a lighter whipped topping if desired.