Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (2024)

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Published: Last Updated: by Marye 1424 words. | About 8 minutes to read this article.

So Pretty! Patriotic, red-white-blue Jello Poke Cake is quick and easy to make with fun red and blue gelatin streaks and whipped white chocolate topping. Perfect for all your summer parties.

Total time 15 minutes

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What's a 4th of July celebration without a gorgeous red, white, and blue dessert? Can you have a summer party without one?

I think not.

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (1)
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • Patriotic Jello Poke Cake

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • SO easy to make! It's a great recipe for beginners because the cake is never dry since you pour gelatin into it!
  • It's always the star of the dessert table because it's so pretty.
  • Kids love it.

This patriotic Jello poke cake recipe is quick and easy to make, as well as make-ahead, so you can spend your time enjoying the day right along with family and friends.

White cake is infused with strawberry and blue raspberry gelatin then covered with a creamy whipped white chocolate frosting and garnished with fresh berries.

Red, white, and blue it's the perfect dessert for all your summer parties.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

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🥄 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

One nice thing to have is a sheet pan with a plastic cover. That way the cover stays up off the top of the cake and you don't run the risk of the plastic sticking to the fruit and moving it around.

I like this sheet cake pan from Wilton.

🥫 Storage

You can make this red, white, and blue poke cake 2 days ahead of time if you don't frost it until the day you want to serve it OR you can make it a day ahead of time and go ahead and frost it.

Once frosted keep it in the refrigerator. Be sure to cover it tightly because the whipped frosting will take on refrigerator odors and weird flavors.

Store leftover poke cake, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that it will tend to get soggy and have a weird texture.

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (2)

📖Variations

You can use other flavor combinations of gelatin to create Jello poke cakes for almost any occasion!

  • Cherry and lime with vanilla whipped topping.
  • Black cherry for Valentine's day with white chocolate or chocolate whipped topping.
  • Lime for a St Patrick's Day green Jello poke cake.
  • Lemon sheet cake with lemon or lime gelatin and lemon whipped topping.
  • Strawberry sheet cake with strawberry gelatin.

There are so many different flavors of jello that there are ALL kinds of possibilities!

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: You can make this even quicker and easier by buying an unfrosted white cake at the bakery or bakery section of your store.

  • Be sure not to go all the way through the cake but vary the depth of the holes from about half way to about ¾ths of the way down.
  • Twisting the dowel a little will help the cake hold more of the filling.
  • Make the holes when the cake is still a little warm.
  • Make sure the holes aren't too close together - keep them even all over the cake.
  • Be sure to allow plenty of time for the cake to chill or it will be soggy. Give it at least 3 to 4 hours.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

What is a poke cake?

A poke cake is any cake that you poke holes into to allow pudding, fruit puree, or gelatin to seep into the cake. This isn't the same as poking a cake with a thin toothpick so that it will soak up condensed milk or other liquid. The holes in a poke cake tend to retain some of what you've put in it making pockets of filling throughout the cake.

What do you use to poke holes in poke cake?

A small dowel or handle of a wooden spoon is used to poke holes in the cake.

Do you have to refrigerate a poke cake?

Most poke cakes need to be refrigerated whether they are covered in pudding, Jello, or something else.

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (3)

Here are some other great patriotic recipes for your summer parties.

🍽️ Serve with...

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (8)

📞 The last word

My parents always celebrated big on 4th of July with themed pool parties that ended with watching fireworks explode and spew color across the nighttime sky.

I have so many great memories!

We have never entertained on that grand of a scale, however I still like to celebrate with all of the traditional foods! Macaroni salad, potato salad, burgers, and easy desserts like this patriotic Jello Poke Cake.

This easy cake is extra yummy because of the whipped white chocolate topping. You can make white chocolate stars for decoration freehand or in star shaped chocolate molds

You may also like this Boston cream poke cake.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (9)

5 from 14 votes

Patriotic Jello Poke Cake

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So Pretty! Patriotic, red-white-blue Jello Poke Cake is quick and easy to make with fun red and blue gelatin streaks and whipped white chocolate topping. Perfect for all your summer parties.

Course Dessert - Cake

Cuisine American - Vintage

Prep Time: 15 minutes

chilling time: 8 hours

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings:16

Calories:386

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Ingredients

Cake

  • white cake, baked in a 13x9-inch pan
  • 4 ounces red Jell-O, 4 serving size
  • 4 ounces blue Jell-O

Frosting

  • 1 quart heavy cream
  • ¼ cup Confectioner's sugar
  • 3.9 ounces white chocolate instant pudding
  • 1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled and halfed
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • ½ pint raspberries, optional
  • ½ pint blackberries, optional

White Chocolate Stars

  • 6 ounces white chocolate

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Instructions

Cake

  • Poke holes in cooled cake at ½-inch intervals, poking about halfway through the cake and twisting gently with a small dowel.

  • Put the red Jell-O in one bowl and the blue in another.

  • Pour ½ cup of boiling water in each and stir until gelatin dissolves.

  • Pour the red Jell-O in some of the holes in the cake randomly and finish filling the other holes with the blue Jell-O.

  • Chill overnight.

Frosting

  • Add the heavy cream, pudding mix, and Confectioner's sugar to the bowl of a mixer.

  • Using the whisk attachment beat until light and fluffy - with the texture of thick whipped cream.

  • Cover the chilled cake thickly with the topping.

  • Add the fruit in any design you prefer.

White Chocolate Stars

  • Melt white chocolate and either fill star shaped candy molds or create stars freehand on waxed paper.

  • Chill until firm.

  • Use to decorate cake.

  • Store in the refrigerator

Notes

Storage:

You can make this red, white, and blue poke cake 2 days ahead of time if you don't frost it until the day you want to serve it OR you can make it a day ahead of time and go ahead and frost it.

Once frosted keep it in the refrigerator. Be sure to cover it tightly because the whipped frosting will take on refrigerator odors and weird flavors.

Store leftover poke cake, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that it will tend to get soggy and have a weird texture.

Tips:

Expert Tip: You can make this even quicker and easier by buying an unfrosted white cake at the bakery or bakery section of your store.

  • Be sure not to go all the way through the cake but vary the depth of the holes from about half way to about ¾ths of the way down.
  • Twisting the dowel a little will help the cake hold more of the filling.
  • Make the holes when the cake is still a little warm.
  • Make sure the holes aren't too close together - keep them even all over the cake.
  • Be sure to allow plenty of time for the cake to chill or it will be soggy. Give it at least 3 to 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 929IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

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First published June 28, 2018. Last updated March 28, 2022 for readability and more tips.

About Marye

With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

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Patriotic Jello Poke Cake (2024)

FAQs

Why is my poke cake soggy? ›

Typical poke cake can become soggy for a few different reasons: Your poke cake filling is too liquidy. If you don't want your cake to be soggy, make sure you use a pudding-based filling that your cake won't absorb too quickly. There are too many holes in your poke cake.

Where does Jell-O cake come from? ›

Simply, and somewhat crudely, titled, the cake is an advertising invention of the late 1970s, when Jell-O used it to re-initiate the public to its jiggly, ubiquitous resourcefulness in dessert making. Jell-O salads of the 50s and 60s were outmoded and on the wane; the poke cake was a way to bring Jell-O back.

When did poke cakes come out? ›

Poke cakes popped up in American kitchens around 1970, first appearing in a print advertisem*nt intended to increase Jell-O sales. The ad illustrated the quick-and-easy cleverness of combining convenience foods - cake mix, Jell-O, and Dream Whip or Cool Whip - to create hip and mod desserts.

When were Jell-O cakes popular? ›

This cake was super popular in the 1980s. The consensus on the cake was that it was an easy dessert that can be made ahead of time. It didn't hurt that it used just three products (cake mix, gelatin, and whipped topping) that were easy to get at any grocery store.

What to do if that fish cakes are too wet? ›

Another tip: before you shape and refrigerate the cakes, fry off a small piece of the mixture. Taste it, season it to perfection and, if it is too sloppy, add a little bit of flour (you can use a gluten-free one if you prefer).

How do you rescue a soggy cake? ›

That's not a cake you'll want to serve. Here's a solution: If you find you underbaked your cake soon after removing it from the oven and it's still hot, pop it back in and bake it at least another 10 to 15 minutes more. Remember to do the doneness test before removing from the oven and cooling.

Why is it called poke cake? ›

Poke-and-pour cake (also called poke cake) is a cake recipe that calls for holes to be poked in it after baking, usually with the handle of a wooden spoon or a wooden skewer. Then a liquid is poured over the baked cake to soak into the cake holes.

What was Jell-O originally called? ›

Although the exact history of how Peter Cooper created the product is unknown to us today, we do know that in 1845 he secured a patent (US Patent 4084) for a gelatin dessert powder called “portable gelatin.” His invention was a basic edible gelatin that had no flavoring to it.

How far in advance can I make a poke cake? ›

The cake can be made up to 3 days ahead to the end of Step 4. Store in an airtight container.

Why is poke so popular? ›

In conclusion, poke bowls have become extremely popular for a variety of reasons. They are convenient, flexible, delicious, and healthy. They offer a new and unique dining experience, and are a favorite among health-conscious individuals and those following a sustainable diet.

Is poke a thing in Japan? ›

Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish and sushi originates in Japan. Hawaiian food takes a lot of influence from Japanese food, but poke is Hawaiian. Traditionally, poke is made from ahi tuna or octopus (tako) that has been roughly cut into bite sized pieces and marinated with whatever was on hand.

What is the poke test for cakes? ›

As your cake nears the finish line, give it a poke in the center with your tester of choice. If the tester comes out with crumbs or wet batter, the cake needs more time to bake. But if the tester comes out clean, your cake is ready to pull from the oven.

Why was the 50s obsessed with Jell-O? ›

But when they first gained popularity, there were in fact a few reasons why a home cook might have wanted to serve them. One, in the early 1950s refrigerators were still quite expensive, and gelatin needs refrigeration in order to set. So in a way, preparing a Jell-O mold was something of a status symbol.

What is the oldest fruit cake? ›

Even older is the fruitcake left behind in Antarctica by the explorer Robert Falcon Scott in 1910. But the honor for the oldest known existing fruitcake goes to one that was baked in 1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes was president of the United States.

What were the 4 original Jell-O flavors? ›

In 1897, in LeRoy, New York, carpenter and cough syrup manufacturer Pearle Bixby Wait trademarked a gelatin dessert called "Jell-O". Wait and his wife, May, added strawberry, raspberry, orange, and lemon flavoring to granulated gelatin and sugar.

Why are my fish cakes rubbery? ›

To avoid the fish cakes becoming rubbery in texture, cook them on a low tomoderate heat and try not to brown them too much. This can be vegetarian and vegan friendly by following the substitutions listed in the ingredients summary.

Why did my fish cakes fall apart? ›

Why do My Fish Cakes Fall Apart. The downfall of fish cakes that fall apart when frying them usually results in the mashed potatoes being too wet. The secret is to have a dryish potato mash leaving some lumps which provide texture. Make sure that you drain the potatoes well before mashing them.

What makes cake spoil easily? ›

Chemical leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda are what give your cakes their rise and, like every ingredient in your pantry, they eventually go stale. These products have an effective life of about six months. They'll still work after that, but not as well.

When should you soak a cake? ›

5. Soak the cake. Pastry chefs often soak cakes in a simple syrup made of equal parts granulated sugar and water after the cakes come out of the oven. This step can add sweetness and moisten the cake.

What makes a cake dense and heavy? ›

Cake Is Heavy or Dense

Possible reasons your cake is heavy/dense: Too little baking powder. Too many eggs. Batter is overmixed.

What is the most popular style of poke? ›

There are a million variations on poke, but the most popular version in Hawaii is called Shoyu Poke. It is made from raw ahi (tuna), soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and sweet onions.

Why do Hawaiians eat poke? ›

Poke's come a long way from its origins in pre-contact times, when ancient Hawaiians feasted on freshly caught fish massaged with sea salt, seaweed and crushed inamona or kukui nuts. Today poke shops are popping up from Los Angeles to Kansas City to New York. But what of poke in the Islands?

Is poke only Hawaiian? ›

Poke /poʊˈkeɪ/ (Hawaiian for "to slice" or "cut crosswise into pieces"; sometimes anglicised as 'poké' to aid pronunciation) is diced raw fish served either as an appetizer or a main course and is a popular dish in Hawaii. Traditional forms are aku (skipjack tuna) and heʻe (octopus).

What state eats the most Jell-O? ›

Utah eats more Jell-O than any other state.

Why is Jell-O served in hospitals? ›

Jell-O is considered a “clear liquid” food meaning that it turns into a clear liquid when at room temperature. Patients are often recommended to consume “clear liquids” when they are beginning to eat after a surgery or procedure.

What do Germans call Jell-O? ›

Götterspeise (literally: dish / fare of the gods) is the German name for a dessert made of gelatine or other gelling agent, sugar, flavourings and food colouring, it is similar or identical to jelly or jello and other gelatin desserts.

How do you keep poke overnight? ›

Because poke is raw fish, it is best to consume it the same day you purchase and cut it for optimal freshness. However, when properly stored in the fridge, your poke can be consumed within a day or two. When storing poke, be sure to use clean, airtight containers to prevent any premature spoilage.

Can I eat poke after 4 hours? ›

Raw fish should be eaten within 24 hours of purchase, and cooked rice contains bacterial spores that multiply rapidly at room temperature and more slowly in the fridge. The fish will smell off if it's gone bad.

What makes poke unhealthy? ›

Can be high in sodium and calories. Poke bowls are usually made with sesame oil, which is very calorie dense, and soy sauce seasoning, which is generally high in sodium. While sodium is an essential nutrient, it can raise blood pressure and increase heart disease risk in some people when consumed in excess.

Is poke healthy or unhealthy? ›

Aside from fresh ingredients and a choice selection of proteins, the poke bowl is one of the best choices for those who are looking to keep their heart healthy. The poke bowl is low in calories, and by implementing a healthy dose of fish, your heart will benefit from the strong presence of Omega-3s.

Do you serve poke with warm rice? ›

Poké protocol:

Temperature is important – rice should be warm and fish cold. Use a rice cooker. Wet or starchy rice ruins a good poké bowl.

Is it pronounced poke or poki? ›

F&W: What is the proper way to pronounce poke? C.C.: Poke is pronounced poh-KAY and rhymes with OK.

Is poke always with rice? ›

A poke bowl base usually consists of rice, with protein choices of tuna, tofu, salmon and many more options. Sauces are an essential part of a poke bowl and can consist of wasabi mayo, eel sauce and dragon aioli.

What is an Amish cake tester? ›

Description. HIC's Amish Cake Tester is the authentic more accurate way to bake a cake that's fully cooked in the center. Made in America by Amish crafters in Lancaster PA, this natural corn broom is a great addition to cake making and baking supplies for easy and accurate cake testing.

What is the toothpick rule for cake? ›

The quickest and easiest way to check a cake for doneness is with the toothpick test. Simply take a toothpick and insert it into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, or with only a few moist crumbs attached to it, the cake is done.

Can you use a toothpick as a cake tester? ›

To determine if cakes, muffins, and quick breads are done, we often use the toothpick test. For the vast majority of baked goods, we want a toothpick inserted in the center to come out clean, indicating that the crumb is fully set and no excess moisture remains.

Are crab cakes supposed to be soggy? ›

Crab cakes should have a slightly soft and moist texture inside. However, they should not be mushy or undercooked.

Why is my vegan cake soggy? ›

1. You used too much raising agent. This is probably the most common reason why vegan cakes sink in the middle. If you use too much baking soda and/or baking powder, your cake will rise too quickly in the oven, causing it to collapse and sink.

How can you prevent the soggy bottom of the cake? ›

Blind-bake your base before adding a filling to help to firm the base and avoid liquid being absorbed into it. Prick the base with a fork to help steam escape, cover with foil or parchment, and weigh it down with ceramic baking beans, uncooked rice or white sugar. Then bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15 minutes.

Why is my carrot cake soggy in the middle? ›

The most common reasons a cake sinks in the middle include the following: The pan is too small. There's too much liquid. Opening the oven or moving pans during baking.

Why won't my crab cakes hold together? ›

Why did my crab cakes fall apart when cooking? Two potential reasons: 1) Crab cakes HAVE TO be refrigerated for at least 2 hours to help them hold together. 2) There was no binder used such as egg, mayonnaise, or panko bread crumbs and/or there was too much moisture in the mix.

How do you know when crab cakes are fully cooked? ›

Crab cakes should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.

How do you get crab cakes to hold together? ›

Chilling the patties for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) before frying helps them stay together when they cook. The eggs and mayonnaise act as a binder, but a filler is also important to help hold the patties together when they cook. Saltine cracker crumbs make the best filler for crab cakes.

Can you fix a soggy bottom cake? ›

If your cake is super moist, you may want to pop it back into the oven and give it a bit more time to cook. Cover in tin foil and cook at the same heat as before, but keep checking every 5 minutes until the cake is looking a little less moist.

Why does butter sink to bottom of cake? ›

Another thing to note is that if you cream your butter and sugar at too high of a speed, this can also create a lot of large air bubbles which then pop as our cake bakes, causing it to sink.

What makes a cake less moist? ›

The ratio of wet to dry ingredients determines a cake's moisture level. If there's simply too much flour and not enough butter, a cake will taste dry. On the other hand, if there's too much milk and not enough flour, a cake will taste too wet. Finding the right balance between wet and dry ingredients is key.

What is a great way to add flavor and moistness to the cake it can be used to frost cakes and for fillings? ›

Many times the same frosting used to frost the cakes is used for the filling between layers. This is a great way to add flavor and moistness to the cake. Some of the common frosting types that are also used as fillings are buttercream, boiled, cream cheese, whipped cream, and ganache.

Why is my cake like jelly in the middle? ›

The reason why a cake gets rubbery is that the overmixing of flour activates the gluten. It makes cakes hard instead of the lovely soft spongy texture we associate with a good cake. And the over mixing is usually caused from incorrectly creaming butter and sugar.

Can I Rebake undercooked cake? ›

For a cake that is fairly evenly undercooked, simply put it back in the oven for 10 or so minutes. For a cake that is undercooked only in the middle, get out your handy dandy aluminum foil, cover the cake, and place it back in the oven for about 10 minutes.

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