Christmas Poke Cake: A Festive Jello Dessert Recipe

Is there anything more nostalgic than a poke cake? It’s the ultimate retro dessert that has graced holiday tables for generations. If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece that is as easy to make as it is vibrant, look no further than this Christmas Poke Cake. With its striking red and green stripes hidden inside fluffy white cake, every slice is a festive surprise.

This recipe takes the humble white cake mix and elevates it into a moist, flavorful dessert that screams “Merry Christmas.” By infusing the cake with lime and cherry gelatin, we create a texture that is impossibly tender and a visual that is pure holiday magic. Whether you are hosting a large family gathering or just want to bring some cheer to the office potluck, this dessert is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum impact.

Ingredients List

The beauty of this recipe lies in using simple pantry staples to create something extraordinary.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

This cake requires patience for cooling, but the active work is a breeze.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: According to box instructions (usually ~30 minutes)
• Cooling Time: 50 minutes total
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Base

Prepare the white cake mix according to the package directions. Crucial Tip: Use the “egg whites only” instructions on the box. Using whole eggs will make the cake yellow, which muddies the vibrant red and green colors you want to achieve. Bake in a 13×9-inch pan.

Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. It should be warm but not piping hot.

Step 2: The “Poke” Technique

Using the handle of a wooden spoon (or a large chopstick), poke holes all over the top of the cake. Space them about an inch apart and push down about 3/4 of the way through the cake.

• Tip: Don’t be shy! You want plenty of channels for the Jello to seep into.

Step 3: Mix the Jello

You will need two separate cups or small bowls.

• Red: In the first cup, mix 1/2 box of Cherry Jello with 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Add 1/4 cup cold water and stir again.
• Green: In the second cup, mix 1/2 box of Lime Jello with 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Add 1/4 cup cold water and stir again.

Step 4: Create the Stripes

This is where the magic happens. Slowly and carefully pour the Cherry Jello mixture into every other row of holes. Then, fill the remaining rows with the Lime Jello mixture. Alternatively, you can pour them in random patches for a tie-dye effect.

• Tip: Use a spoon or a measuring cup with a spout to control the pour so the colors don’t bleed together on top.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the Jello to set inside the cake and the cake to cool completely. If you skip this, your whipped topping will melt!

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Once chilled, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the entire cake. Finish with a generous dusting of Christmas sprinkles right before serving to keep them crunchy. Slice and reveal the festive interior!

Nutritional Information

This is a fun, light holiday treat. Here is an estimated breakdown per slice (assuming 12 slices):

• Calories: ~280 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g (Sugar: 30g)
• Fat: 10g (Saturated: 4g)
• Protein: 3g
• Sodium: 290mg

Healthier Alternatives

If you want to lighten up this festive dessert, try these easy swaps:

• Sugar-Free: Use Sugar-Free Jello mix and Sugar-Free Cake Mix. This drastically reduces the sugar content without altering the texture.
• Lite Topping: Swap regular Cool Whip for Lite or Fat-Free whipped topping to cut calories.
• Natural Coloring: If you are avoiding artificial dyes, look for natural gelatin brands that use beet and spinach or spirulina for color, though the shades may be more muted.

Serving Suggestions

This Christmas Poke Cake looks great on the table, but you can dress it up even more:

• Individual Plating: Slice into squares and serve with a fresh strawberry fan or a mint leaf garnish.
• Hot Cocoa Companion: Serve alongside a mug of hot chocolate. The cool, creamy cake contrasts beautifully with the warm drink.
• Jar Cakes: Instead of a pan, bake the cake, cube it, and layer it in mason jars with the Jello and cream for portable “cake parfaits.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Poke cakes are forgiving, but watch out for these pitfalls:

• Poking Too Soon: If the cake is blazing hot, it will turn mushy when you pour the liquid. Solution: Wait the full 20 minutes.
• Using Whole Eggs: As mentioned, yellow cake + blue/green jello = green/brown sludge. Solution: Stick to egg whites for a pristine white canvas.
• Over-soaking: Pouring too much liquid can make the cake soggy. Solution: Stick to the 1/2 box quantity per color; save the rest of the powder for another use.

Storing Tips

Because of the whipped topping and Jello, this cake needs to stay cool.

• Refrigerate: Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a lid (don’t squash the frosting!). It stays fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the cake before adding the whipped topping. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, then frost before serving.
• Make-Ahead: This cake is actually better the next day as the moisture redistributes. It’s the perfect make-ahead Christmas dessert.

Conclusion

This Christmas Poke Cake proves that you don’t need fancy pastry skills to create something magical. With just a few boxes of mix and a little creativity, you can put a dessert on the table that captures the joy and color of the season. It’s moist, creamy, and delightful to look at.

Try it out this holiday season and let us know in the comments how your stripes turned out! Did you go for red and green, or maybe a blue “Frozen” theme? We’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe to our blog for more easy, festive recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use different Jello flavors?

Absolutely! Strawberry or Raspberry work great for red. For other holidays, switch it up—Orange and Grape for Halloween, or Blue and Red for the 4th of July.

Q2. Can I use homemade whipped cream?

Yes, but you should stabilize it first (using gelatin or pudding mix). Standard homemade whipped cream tends to weep or deflate after a day in the fridge, whereas Cool Whip stays firm.

Q3. Why did my colors bleed together?

If the cake was too hot, or if you poured too quickly, the liquids can merge. It will still taste delicious! Next time, pour slowly and aim carefully into the specific holes.

Q4. Can I make this in a different size pan?

Yes, you can make it in two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans for a layer cake effect. Just be careful when poking holes not to go all the way through to the bottom, or the cake might stick to the pan.

Christmas Poke Cake: A Festive Jello Dessert Recipe

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

This Christmas Poke Cake is a festive holiday dessert made with fluffy white cake infused with red cherry and green lime Jello, then topped with creamy whipped topping and holiday sprinkles. Easy, colorful, and perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Cake Base

• 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box, using egg whites only)

• Cooking spray (for pan)

Jello Filling

• 1/2 box (3 oz) cherry gelatin

• 1/2 box (3 oz) lime gelatin

• 1 cup boiling water (divided)

• 1/2 cup cold water (divided)

Topping

• 8 oz whipped topping (thawed)

• Christmas sprinkles (red, green & white)

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Instructions

1. Prepare and bake the white cake according to package instructions using egg whites only in a greased 9×13-inch pan.

2. Let the cake cool for about 20 minutes until warm but not hot.

3. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the cake, about 1 inch apart.

4. Dissolve cherry gelatin in ½ cup boiling water, then stir in ¼ cup cold water. Repeat with lime gelatin using separate bowls.

5. Carefully pour cherry gelatin into alternating rows of holes. Fill remaining holes with lime gelatin.

6. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow gelatin to set.

7. Spread whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake.

8. Decorate with Christmas sprinkles before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Always use white cake mix for the best color contrast.

• Do not overfill holes to prevent color bleeding.

• Chill fully before frosting to keep whipped topping stable.

• Can be made up to 24 hours in advance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg