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    Home » Desserts

    Christmas Poke Cake

    Published: Oct 27, 2023 by Keri Hix

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    Christmas Poke Cake, slice.
    A Christmas poke cake with a slice taken out of it.

    Christmas Poke Cake is incredibly delicious as well as festive with the colors of the holiday season. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients like box cake mix and red and green Jello. Top it all off with some whipped topping and holiday sprinkles and you have a beautiful cake that is always a crowd favorite. 

    A holiday poke cake with a slice taken out of it.
    Table of contents
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Step-by-step directions
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • Other easy cake recipes you might like
    • Our latest recipes
    • Recipe

    This festive cake is perfect whether you are hosting a holiday party, or just want the perfect dessert to serve your family on Christmas Eve. 

    Other sweets you might enjoy this holiday season are these yummy chocolate crinkle cookies topped with a Hershey Kiss or these cranberry bliss bars.

    Recipe Ingredients

    The ingredients for a holiday poke cake are shown on a counter.
    • Boxed White Cake Mix
    • Eggs
    • Vegetable Oil
    • Water
    • Strawberry Gelatin or other red Jello such as cherry
    • Lime Gelatin
    • Whipped Topping

    The white cake mix needs to be made per box directions so the ingredients may vary slightly depending on your favorite brand of box mix. Most all cake mixes call for water, eggs, and vegetable oil. 

    Using the egg white only version of the directions on the package will yield a brighter whiter cake. If you use the whole egg version, the recipe will still work, but the colors might be a little bit more dull.

    Step-by-step directions

    Two cake pans with white batter in them.

    Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Bake.

    Tip: You can place a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of the cake pan to help the cake release from the pan later.

    Two baked white cakes still in the pan with a chop stick used to poke holes in the cakes.

    Let the cakes cool slightly, then poke holes all over the baked cake with a chopstick, or a large fork.

    Two bowls with red and green gelatin in them.

    Using 2 separate bowls, place the green (lime Jello) in one bowl, and the red (cherry or strawberry Jello) in the other.

    Pour 1 cup of boiling water into each of the bowls. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved.

    A red and green cake in a black pan.

    Pour the red Jello over one cake, and the green Jello over the other.

    Cover the cakes with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate at least 2 to 3 hours until completely chilled.

    A cake with whipped cream on top.

    Once chilled, turn one of the cakes over a plate or cake dish. If you used parchment paper, remember to peel it off.

    Frost this colorful cake generously with whipped topping or frosting of your choice.

    A cake on a cake stand being frosting with whipped topping.

    Add the second cake layer and continue to frost with the whipped topping.

    A white cake on a wooden stand.

    You can leave the cake plain.

    A cake with sprinkles on a cake stand.

    Or decorate the Christmas Poke Cake with holiday sprinkles.

    A cake on a plate with a slice taken out of it.

    If you are looking for a festive dessert, try this colorful holiday cake. Poke cake recipes are always a hit with family and friends, and this Christmas Poke Cake is sure to brighten and bring joy to your holiday parties. 

    A piece of cake on a plate with a fork.

    Recipe FAQ's

    What is the best size cake pan to use in this recipe?

    You can really use any size. The photos show this cake made with the 8-inch pans. 9-inch pans won't be as tall. If you want to use a 13 by 9 inch pan, pour the gelatin in separate rows across the cake.

    What if I can't get the cake to release from the pan after chilling?

    If this happens, dip the bottom of the pans in a bowl of hot water to melt the gelatin in the bottom of the pan. This should allow the cake to release from the pan easier.

    How do I store this Christmas Poke Cake?

    You can keep this cake covered, in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Other easy cake recipes you might like

    • A peach bundt cake on a marble cake platter with one piece sliced.
      Peach Bundt Cake (with fresh peaches)
    • Fresh Apple Cake on a piece of brown parchment paper.
      Easy Apple Cake
    • A square piece of chocolate cake covered with pudding and whipped cream on a small gray plate.
      Chocolate Poke Cake
    • Fresh Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Find all my recipes on Pinterest at Cook This Again. Or on Facebook at Cook This Again. 

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    Do you love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Recipe

    A cake with a slice taken out of it.

    Christmas Poke Cake

    Delight your holiday dinner or party with this festive Christmas Poke Cake! Easy to make with box cake mix, red and green Jello and whipped cream topping.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Rest Time: 3 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours
    Servings: 12 Servings
    Calories: 252kcal
    Author: Keri Hix

    Ingredients

    • 1 White Cake Mix prepare per package directions
    • 2 cups Boiling Water
    • 3 ounce Strawberry Jello or cherry (red)
    • 3 ounce Lime Jello (green)
    • 8 ounces Cool Whip or other whipped topping thawed
    • 1 tablespoon Sprinkles for garnish

    Instructions

    • The white cake mix needs to be made per box directions so the ingredients may vary slightly depending on your favorite brand of box mix. Most all cake mixes call for water, eggs, and vegetable oil.
    • Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Bake.
    • Let the cake cool slightly, then poke holes all over the baked cake with a chopstick, or a large fork.
    • Using 2 separate bowls, place the green color (lime Jello) in one bowl, and the red color in the other.
    • Pour 1 cup of boiling water into each of the bowls. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved.
    • Pour the red Jello over one cake, and the green Jello over the other.
    • Cover the cakes with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate at least 2 to 3 hours until completely chilled.
    • Once chilled, turn one of the cakes over a plate or cake dish. If you used parchment paper, remember to peel it off.
    • Frost this colorful cake generously with whipped topping or frosting of your choice.
    • Add sprinkles if desired.

    Notes

     
    For this recipe you will also need Eggs, Vegetable Oil, and Water. Follow the directions on your package of cake mix to make the cake. The nutritional information on the recipe card does not have these ingredients calculated in it. 
    Tip: You can place a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of the cake pan to help the cake release from the pan later.
    If you have trouble getting the cake to release from the pan, dip the bottom of the pans in a bowl of hot water to melt the gelatin in the bottom of the pan. This should allow the cake to release from the pan easier.
    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 339mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CookThisAgain or tag #cookthisagainmom!

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    Hi! My name is Keri. I am the mom behind Cook This Again, Mom! and I love to cook! Well, most of the time I do. Welcome to my recipe blog!

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