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Red, White and Blue Poke Cake

Red, white and blue poke cake with a white cake base sliced to reveal vivid red and blue Jell-O stripes soaked all the way through. This patriotic poke cake uses two flavors layered by pouring over left and right halves, then finishes with whipped topping, star sprinkles, and fresh berries.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 15 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

white cake mix
  • 1 box white cake mix Use the eggs, oil, and water listed on the box for the cake.
strawberry Jell-O
  • 3 oz strawberry Jell-O Box strawberry Jell-O.
berry blue Jell-O
  • 3 oz berry blue Jell-O Box blue Jell-O (berry blue flavor).
boiling water
  • 2 cup boiling water Divided: 1 cup for strawberry, 1 cup for blue.
cold water
  • 1 cup cold water Divided: 1/2 cup for strawberry, 1/2 cup for blue.
whipped topping
  • 8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip) Thawed.
star sprinkles
  • 1 red and blue star sprinkles For garnish.
fresh berries
  • 1 fresh strawberries and blueberries For garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake the cake and cool slightly
  1. Preheat the oven and bake the white cake in a 9x13 pan according to package directions, then let cool for 15 minutes.
  2. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake about 1 inch apart.
Make and pour the Jell-O layers
  1. Dissolve the strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then pour slowly over the left half of the cake so it soaks into the holes.
  2. Dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stir in 1/2 cup cold water, then pour over the right half of the cake.
Chill, frost, and garnish
  1. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours until the Jell-O is fully set inside the cake.
  2. Spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the chilled cake, then decorate with red and blue star sprinkles and fresh strawberries and blueberries before serving.

Notes

For the cleanest red/blue stripes, pour the strawberry Jell-O only over the left half and the blue Jell-O only over the right half, then pour slowly directly into the holes. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze is not recommended because the whipped topping and Jell-O texture can change. For a lighter option, use a reduced-fat whipped topping if you want a similar finish with fewer calories.