Rainbow Jello Poke Cake

Jello Poke Cake is one dessert that has been popular for so long. Serve up this rainbow Jello poke cake for dessert this week. A rainbow dessert that is full of flavor and color.

This Jello dessert is an old-fashioned jello cake with cool whip spread on the top. Also try our other poke cake – strawberry crunch poke cake!

This Rainbow poke cake is great for birthday parties, a potluck dessert, summer cookout treat, and more.

There is never a wrong time to serve up this jello and cool whip dessert. Try our Pumpkin Spice poke cake for a fun flavor option as well.

Why You Will Love This Poke Cake…

• Cool Whip cake
• 4 flavors of Jello
• Boxed Cake Mix Recipe
• Rainbow Dessert
• Kid friendly
• Could be a fun Tie-Dye Dessert
• Creamy whipped cream topping

This Jello poke cake is so simple, and the ingredients might be items you have in your pantry!

• White Boxed Cake Mix + Ingredients on Box
• 4 Different Jello Flavors
• Cool Whip
• Water

How to Make

Step 1: The first thing you can do is take your white cake mix, and bake it in a 9×13 pan as directed. Use the ingredients the box calls for to mix it up.

Step 2: Once the cake is cooked, take a round spoon and poke holes all over the cake.

It will tear up the top a little, that is okay as you will cover it later.

Step 3: In separate bowls you will mix up all 4 of the Jello flavors you pick. We did red, orange, green and blue. You can use any colors you want.

Step 4: Pour the Jello onto areas of the cake. There will be liquid Jello leftover of each flavor.

Step 5: Place the cake in the fridge, covered. Refrigerate 3-4 hours. Then when done, top with whipped cream. Then if you want add sprinkles.

Slice and serve up this easy Jello cake and enjoy.

Storage

This rainbow poke cake needs to be stored in the refrigerator. Since this is a gelatin cake and whipped cream on top, it will spoil if not refrigerated.

Store the cake in the fridge for 4-5 days. If you don’t plan to eat the cake all at once, you can freeze for 3-4 months. cover well and freeze until you want to eat.

Thaw in the fridge overnight, or do a quick thaw on the counter for around 30 minutes to an hour.

Grab our Free Kitchen Conversions Printable! This shows you how many cups are in a quart, pint, etc. It’s a great printable to keep handy for when you need to convert a recipe.

Swaps

• Use only one flavor of Jello instead of 4 flavors.
• You can add some Jello powder into the whipped topping to add flavor to the frosting.
• Top the cake with sprinkles if you want.
• Pair with fresh fruit to decorate the cake.
• Use 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with the whipped cream, and mix well for a different frosting.

Expert Tips

• Not overcook the cake, as it will dry the cake out.
• Use a cup of boiling water for each box of Jello mix. Then once all the granules melt, stir in the cold water.
• Use a pourable bowl or cup so you can direct where the Jello pours into the cake pan.
• If you overlap colors it will change up the colors of the cake.
• Refrigerate the cake for 3-4 hours before you spread it on the whipped cream.

Recipe FAQs

What is a Jello poke cake?

Jello poke cake is a plain cake that is fully baked, then poked full of holes. Then you will pour wet Jello onto the cake, refrigerate until set. Then top with whipped cream. u003cbru003eJello cake is an ultra moist cake, that has a fruity flavor with Jello.

Can you make a gluten free poke cake?

Go right ahead and make a gluten free white cake. Then whip up the Jello and pour over the cake as you would a classic cake. u003cbru003eYou need to make sure you bake the cake according to the package.

Can we use a homemade cake instead of boxed cake for poke cake?

You can make a homemade cake mix or boxed cake mix for making a poke cake. This recipe is versatile. aim for au003ca href=u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer nofollowu0022u003e 9×13 cakeu003c/au003e.

How far in advance can you make a poke cake?

We recommend only making a poke cake 24 hours in advance. The cake will have the best quality if you eat it within the first day. u003cbru003eYou can leave off the whipped cream until right before you are planning to serve.

How long does it take for the jello to set?

When you are making this Jello cake, you will find the gelatin does not set up the way classic gelatin will. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eYou will need to cover and refrigerate the cake for 3-4 hours to allow the cake and Jello to cool down and set up a bit.

Can we make poke cake cupcakes?

If you don’t want to make a cake, make cupcakes. Take a skewer to poke holes into each cupcake. Then pour the Jello mixture on it, and refrigerate the same to set up.

Craving More Cake Recipes

• Lemon Bundt Cake
• Patriotic Cake
• Layered Strawberry Banana Cake
• Strawberry Blueberry Dump Cake
• Pina Colada Cupcakes
• Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Makes 9 x13 cake

Supplies

• [9×13 Pan]
• [Whisk]
• [Measuring Cups]

Ingredients

• Box Cake Mix + Ingredients On Box
• Jello 3 ounce boxes – I used 4 flavors
• Water
• 1 Whipped Cream 8 ounce tub

Method

1. The first thing you want to do is preheat the oven and mix up the boxed white cake mix as directed on the box. We used a 9×13 pan and baked according to the box.
2. Once the cake is done, remove and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Then use a wooden skewer and poke holes all over the cake. It will tear up the top of the cake slightly but that is okay.
3. Now you will take 1 cup boiling water per Jello box. Mix the 3-ounce packet of Jello with the hot water. Stir till the granules are melted. Then pour in 1/8 cup cold water.
4. Repeat till you do all 4 colors of Jello. You can do as many colors as you want. There will be a leftover Jello mixture.
5. Carefully pour the Jello liquid onto portions of the cake. This will create a rainbow poke cake look.
6. Cover and refrigerate the cake 3-4 hours.
7. Once cooled top with a tub of whipped cream. Top with sprinkles if you want.
8. Slice and serve up this colorful poke cake.

Kitchen notes