Name: Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15 oz) box white cake mix; Ingredients called for on cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, and water); 1 (6 oz) box strawberry jello; 1 (6 oz) box lime jello; 2 cups boiling water; 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix; 1 cup milk; 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed; Red and green sprinkles or decorations

There’s something truly magical about the burst of colorful jello soaked right into a tender cake, making each bite a little party in your mouth. This Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe brings holiday cheer in every slice, blending bright red and green hues with creamy vanilla goodness – it’s like Christmas joy you can eat!

The image shows a square piece of cake being lifted with a silver spatula. The cake has two visible layers of sponge inside, one green on the left and one red on the right, both speckled and moist. On top of these layers, there is a thick layer of white frosting, smooth and creamy, covered with red and green round and small sprinkle decorations, giving a festive look. The cake sits in a white dish with more pieces inside, also topped with the same white frosting and sprinkles. The background is a white marbled surface with stacked white plates slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe is one of those nostalgic desserts everyone seems to adore at holiday gatherings, but I promise it’s foolproof for any occasion you want a bit of seasonal sparkle. It’s my go-to when I want something special yet surprisingly simple.

Visual Wow Factor: The red and green jello filling poked through the cake creates a festive and vibrant look that immediately catches the eye.
Easy but Impressive: It’s incredibly straightforward to make, even if you’re short on baking time, yet it feels like a labor of love your guests will rave about.
Delightfully Moist Texture: The jello soaking into the cake keeps it wonderfully moist and flavor-packed, avoiding dryness that cakes sometimes suffer from.
Customizable Flavor Play: You can easily swap the jello colors or pudding flavors to match different holidays or personal preferences.

The image shows a square piece of sponge cake with three visible layers. The bottom layer is a light yellow sponge with green and red spots soaked into it, giving a colorful look with a soft, porous texture. The top layer is a thick, creamy white frosting that covers the entire cake surface smoothly. There are small red and green round sprinkles on the frosting. The cake sits on a plain white plate, placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white cloth partially visible underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe lies in the harmony of ingredients – a classic white cake base soaking up vibrant jellos, paired with creamy pudding and whipped topping to balance flavors and textures perfectly. Grab quality vanilla pudding and thick whipped topping for that ideal rich finish.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of fine white cake mix powder, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with bright red strawberry gelatin powder, another small white bowl with vivid green lime gelatin powder, a white ceramic cup of steaming clear boiling water, a small white bowl of smooth vanilla pudding powder, a simple white ceramic cup of fresh whole milk, a white ceramic bowl with fluffy frozen whipped topping, and a scattering of glossy red and green sprinkles artfully arranged nearby, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: The neutral but moist crumb makes a great canvas for the colorful jello to shine through.
Strawberry jello: Adds sweetness and a lovely red color, bringing that holiday vibrance.
Lime jello: Its tartness and bright green hue perfectly contrast the strawberry for that festive look.
Boiling water: Essential for dissolving the jello powders completely so they soak well into the cake.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Gives the topping a creamy texture and complements the fruit flavors nicely.
Milk: Needed to create the pudding base; whole milk boosts richness.
Frozen whipped topping: Adds lightness and fluffiness to the pudding topping, making the dessert feel luxurious but not heavy.
Red and green sprinkles or decorations: The final festive touch that makes your cake party-ready.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe is. It easily adapts to different seasons or dietary needs, so don’t hesitate to put your own spin on it for a personal touch.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the lime jello for orange at Halloween and used orange and black sprinkles – it still looked festive and tasted fantastic.
Dairy-Free Option: You can use dairy-free pudding mix and coconut whipped topping to make it suitable for sensitive diets without losing that creamy texture.
Extra Fancies: Adding crushed candy canes on top gives a cool crunch that pairs beautifully with the smooth layers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Step 1: Bake a Moist, Fluffy White Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (or as directed on your cake mix box). I like to grease the 9x13-inch pan well, using butter or nonstick spray, so cleanup is a breeze and the cake comes out perfectly. Follow the cake mix instructions carefully, mixing in any eggs, oil, or water as called for. Pour the batter evenly into the pan. Bake it right away so the cake stays fluffy and doesn’t start drying out. When it’s done (usually about 30 minutes), let it cool for 15 minutes before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Into the Holes Come the Jello

Once the cake is warm but not hot, I like to poke it with the handle of a wooden spoon about every inch apart. This step makes sure the jello fills in nicely, creating delightful pockets of flavor. Dissolve each jello box separately in one cup of boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved—no lumps! Pour the red and green jellos in alternating rows to keep the pattern festive and fun. Don’t worry if you have extra jello left—that just means you can always add more later or make a cool side drink!

Step 3: Chill, Whip, and Top

Pop the cake into the fridge for about 15 minutes so the jello starts to set. While it chills, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk until thickened, then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping – this creates that luscious, creamy finishing layer I adore. Spread this over the chilled cake evenly and return it to the fridge for at least 2 hours to let everything set beautifully.

Step 4: The Festive Finale

Right before you serve, sprinkle on those red and green decorations or sprinkles for a charming holiday touch. The cake slices best with a sharp knife dipped in warm water first, helping keep your cuts clean and the layers intact. Enjoy every colorful, creamy bite!

Top Tip

After making this Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe several times, I’ve honed some tips that save time and enhance the final taste and look. Trust me, these little tricks make all the difference.

Use a Fork or Spoon Handle for Poking: The handle end is perfect for making evenly spaced holes without damaging the cake’s structure.
Dissolve Jello Thoroughly: Make sure your water is boiling hot and stir until the powder is fully dissolved to avoid grainy texture.
Chill Between Layers: Don’t rush the chilling steps—letting the jello set a bit before adding the topping prevents mixing and keeps layers distinct.
Decorate Last Minute: Adding sprinkles right before serving keeps them vibrant and crunchy instead of soggy.

How to Serve Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Festive Jello Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally love topping this cake with festive red and green sprinkles – they add just the right amount of fun crunch. Sometimes, I sprinkle crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist that instantly elevates the holiday vibe. Fresh mint leaves at the edges can also add a pretty green accent if you want a natural look.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with simple sides like a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea. If it’s a party setting, I serve it alongside light fruit salads or vanilla bean ice cream to complement its creamy and fruity notes.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered this poke cake in clear trifle dishes to show off those colorful jello pockets. Another fun idea is serving it in individual glass jars for a personal and portable dessert option that’s perfect for festive gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once made, I store leftover Festive Jello Poke Cake tightly covered in the fridge. It stays moist and delicious for 3 to 4 days. Just keep it covered to prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors and drying out.

Freezing

I haven’t had great luck freezing this cake because the jello and whipped topping can change texture when thawed, turning watery or grainy. I recommend enjoying it fresh within a few days instead.

Reheating

This cake is best served chilled, so I avoid reheating. If you find yourself with leftovers, just bring it to room temperature before serving; it’ll soften the pudding layer and enhance the flavors without losing any charm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade cake instead of box mix in Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite white cake recipe, it will work beautifully here. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the jello without falling apart. Also, let it cool but remain slightly warm before poking holes and adding jello for best absorption.

How do I prevent the cake from getting soggy in this recipe?

The trick is not to over-pour the jello; pour just enough to fill the holes without flooding the cake. Also, let the cake cool slightly before poking holes to maintain structure. Chilling between layering steps helps keep it firm and prevents sogginess.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! It’s actually perfect for making a day ahead. The flavors meld wonderfully overnight, and it gives the jello and pudding layers plenty of time to set. Just keep it refrigerated and covered.

What other jello flavor combinations work well?

You can get creative! Raspberry and lemon, cherry and orange, or even tropical flavors like pineapple and mango. Just pick two colors that complement each other and gel well for the best effect. Remember to keep the pudding and cake flavors neutral to balance stronger jello tastes.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely adore this Festive Jello Poke Cake Recipe because it’s such a cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert that feels homemade but is surprisingly fast and forgiving. Whenever I bring it to holiday gatherings, I get so many compliments, and I’m confident you’ll love how it brings color, flavor, and easy joy to your table too. Give it a try—you might find a new family favorite for your celebrations!