Need a simple, refreshing 4th of July dessert that packs a lot of visual “Wow!”? Why not try a red white and blue “Patriotic Poke Cake”!
I know this colorful cake looks complicated, but I promise you it’s not! That’s one of the reasons I chose it when Walmart Challenged me to make a special dessert for my 4th of July celebration.
The ingredients are simple. Red Jello. Blue Jello. Dream Whip*. White Cake Mix. . .and of course the egg and oil to make the cake. (Note: I actually made 2 boxes of white cake mix so I could have that fun double layer cake)
Just mix your cake according to the package directions.
Bake, cool and level (if you are making a layer cake)
Gently poke the cake all over with a fork. (Note: I tried using the handle of a spoon for bigger jello pockets-big mistake. Just made big globs of color and not nice little streams so I had to start all over again. We had a lot of cake in our house this week)
Mix up your Jello-but NOT according to the package directions. Dissolve the Jello in 1 cup of hot water for 2 minutes, then add just 1/2 cup of cold water. Gently pour about 1/2 to 3/4 of the jello over the cake.
Do not pour all of it-it will be too much! And don’t spaz out like I did when you see that it turns the whole top of the cake red (or blue). . . I thought I had ruined it AGAIN. . . but when I cut into it everything was fine.
You refrigerate the cake for 3 hours to let the Jello set, pour the leftover Jello together to make purple and put in the fridge for someone to eat later.
After the cake has chilled, make your Dream Whip up and use it to frost the cake. (Note: you will have to use both envelopes if you are making a double layer cake)
Cut into it for ohhs and ahhhs from the crowd!
Of course there are plenty of variations to this whole Poke Cake thing.
You can make it as a 9X13 rectangular single layer cake and just frost the top.
You can change up the color of the cake and the color/flavor of the Jello-I can see Red/Green for Christmas, Purple/Green/Orange for Halloween, or even school colors for homecoming or graduation!
You can also use Cool Whip or even regular frosting for the frosting if you like. Endless variations I tell you!
Have you ever make Jello Poke cake before? What is your favorite flavor/color combination? And while I’m asking questions-have you guys been enjoying these Walmart Challenges as much as I have?
****This is a sponsored post****
Disclosure: I am participating in this Challenge as part of the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own. For more ideas check out Wholesome Mommy and The Domestic Diva
I remember my mom making Jell-o cakes like this a few times growing up….but it has been years since I’ve had one. I will definitely be making this one, I think my kids would like to help make it with me, too!
I am going to make this for our family reunion. Doesn’t one box of cake mix make a 2 layer cake? Do you have extra large pans? That part was confusing to me. Thanks.
Kayte-Glad to remind you of some good memories! I’m sure your kiddos will like it-especially if they get to help pick the jello colors 🙂
Joyce-Well, I wanted nice thick layers on my cake so that the fork wouldn’t go all the way through to the bottom of the pan. I was afraid if it did the jello would leak straight through and pool on the bottom of the pan. So I made two boxes and had a really thick layer cake. You could do two thinner layers from a single box of mix, or you could do a 9X13 pan, then cut it in half to make two squares. . . life is all about variations 🙂
That is really cute! Looks yummy, too. Thanks for sharing this. It’s too late for me to do it for the 4th, but I’ll be trying this with different colors soon.
Happy 4th!
Cheers,
Tracy
Tracy-It is cute and yummy! One combo I heard for a poke cake that sounds very summery & refreshing is to buy lemon flavored cake and then use a citrus flavor for the jello poke.
I have been making and eating Jell-O cakes for years always remember if using two flavors that those flavors go together..dont mix orange and blue raspberry its not pleasant lol..if you dont like whipped cream you can always use a creamy butter cream frosting or cream cheese or my personal favorite ..ready to use cheese cake lol..
Good point Debra-yes, I can see where grape and lime might not be the best combo either 😉
these are really great but you have to refridgerate leftovers…would i have to with regular frosting
Nancy–regardless of the icing (and either kind would work) I think it would be best to refrigerate the leftovers–since you’ve got jello in it 🙂