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Red, White and Blue Poke Cake

Red, white and blue poke cake is a tender white sheet cake baked, poked, and soaked with strawberry and berry-blue Jell-O stripes. After chilling, it’s topped with fluffy whipped topping and patriotic sprinkles for a slice-revealing Independence Day look.
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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: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake and cool
  1. Bake the white cake in a 9x13 pan according to package directions. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes until it’s warm rather than hot.
Poke holes
  1. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake about 1 inch apart. Keep going until the surface looks evenly dotted.
Make the strawberry Jell-O stripe
  1. Dissolve strawberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Pour slowly over the left half of the cake so it soaks into the holes.
Make the blue Jell-O stripe
  1. Dissolve berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Pour over the right half of the cake so the color fills the holes on that side.
Chill
  1. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours until the Jell-O is fully set inside the cake. You should be able to slice cleanly without loose liquid running.
Top and serve
  1. Spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the chilled cake. Cover the surface completely for a smooth white layer.
  2. Decorate with red and blue star sprinkles and fresh strawberries and blueberries before serving. Finish right before slicing so the topping looks fresh.

Notes

Pro tip: pour the Jell-O slowly and directly over the holes on each side—this helps form vivid red and blue stripes all the way through. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the texture softens over time but stays tasty. Freezing is not recommended because the Jell-O and whipped topping can lose their best texture. For a lighter option, use a light whipped topping in place of Cool Whip if you want fewer calories.