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.
Allrecipes Video
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:
- Make the cake batter, pour it into the prepared pan, and bake in the preheated oven.
- Soften the gelatin, then stir in boiling water until the granules are dissolved.
- Poke holes over the cake and pour gelatin into the holes.
- 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
Ingredients
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1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
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1 cup water
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3 large eggs
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⅓ cup vegetable oil
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¼ cup cold water
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1 (3 ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin mix (such as Jell-O)
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1 cup boiling water
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1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
Directions
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Gather the ingredients, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
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Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
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Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 24 to 29 minutes. Let cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
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Pour cold water into a bowl. Sprinkle gelatin mix on top. Let stand until softened, about 1 minute. Add boiling water and stir constantly until granules are completely dissolved.
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Poke holes all over the cake using a fork; pour gelatin mix into the holes. Refrigerate cake until gelatin is set, about 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
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Spread whipped topping over cake.
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Enjoy!
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Recipe Tip
Substitute vanilla frosting for the whipped topping if desired.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 310 | Calories |
| 16g | Fat |
| 39g | Carbs |
| 4g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 12 | |
| Calories 310 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 16g | 21% |
| Saturated Fat 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium 286mg | 12% |
| Total Carbohydrate 39g | 14% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 26g | |
| Protein 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 56mg | 4% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 48mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
