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    Home » Holidays

    Updated: Jul 10, 2024 · Published: May 23, 2024 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake

    Jump to Recipe

    For a festive dessert to show your American pride, this Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake is perfect. The moist white cake with red & blue streams of colored gelatin is so pretty. The cherry and berry Jell-O adds fruity flavor that elevates a boxed cake mix to a yummy level everyone will love.

    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake a square piece is plated with jello stripes in white cake.

    This cold refrigerator cake with light Cool-Whip frosting and sprinkles is moist, refreshing, creamy, & sweet. It's a wonderful summer dessert recipe like my S'mores Icebox Cake. Be ready to wow your guests with a slice of this.

    Jump to:
    • The Why
    • Ingredients
    • Patriotic Poke Cake Recipe Video
    • How to Make a Poke Cake with Jell-O
    • Does Poke Cake Need to be Refrigerated?
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Top Tips & Equipment
    • Final Notes & Behind the Scenes
    • Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake
    • More Summer Desserts

    The Why

    I grew up having this poke cake for many 4th of July celebrations. Now I make it for my kids and we all love it. You will too!

    • Easy to make with a boxed cake mix.
    • 24 servings feeds a crowd, perfect for parties & celebrations.
    • A make-ahead recipe that is served chilled, ideal for summer.
    • Best dessert for Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, or any other American holiday.

    (oh and the British flag is red, white, & blue so this is great for holidays in the UK, too)

    Ingredients

    This poke cake recipe calls for several ready-made ingredients. A store-bought cake mix helps make this a quick recipe.

    This poke cake recipe also calls for red and blue Jell-O gelatin. You can get the small or large boxes, you will only use part of each box.

    Ingredients for Jello Patriotic poke cake.
    • Boxed White Cake Mix - any brand such as Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, or Duncan Hines.
    • Ingredients to make the cake mix
    • Cherry Jell-O - for the red streaks
    • Berry Blue Jell-O - for the blue streaks
    • Boiling Water - to mix with the gelatin.
    • Cool-Whip Whipped Topping - the lightness of this really makes this cool dessert less heavy which is how summer desserts should be.
    • Red & Blue Sugar or Red, White, & Blue Sprinkles - go crazy and make this as colorful & fun as you want.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Patriotic Poke Cake Recipe Video

    How to Make a Poke Cake with Jell-O

    Preheat the oven to 350°. Also, prep the 9x16x3 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

    Here are the easy steps to make this cake:

    1. Mix the Cake Mix
    2. Bake & Cool the Cake
    3. Poke Holes in the Cake
    4. Mix & Add the Jell-O
    5. Chill & Decorate

    1 - Mix the Cake Mix

    In a medium-sized mixing bowl, prepare the cake per the package ingredients. White cake typically uses only the egg whites plus oil and water.

    Reserve the egg yolks that will not be needed and save them in our refrigerator for another recipe like my Easy 3-Ingredient Creme Brulee.

     Mixing Bowl filled with cake mix and ingredients.

    2 - Bake & Cool the Cake

    Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the cake should come out clean for it to be ready.

    Let the cake cool for 30 minutes. This ensures the cake will not stick to your kitchen tool while making the holes.

    3 - Poke Holes in the Cake

    Using the end of a wooden spoon, rubber spatula, or thick chopsticks, poke holes over the top of the cake. Leave about ¾-1" of space between each hole. this will keep the Jello colors from bleeding into one another and creating purple instead of red and blue.

    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake Wooden spoon handle being used to poke holes in the top of the cake.

    4 - Mix & Add the Jell-O

    Heat up 1.5 cups of water until boiling hot. Do so in the microwave or on the stovetop with a tea kettle.You will not be adding dry Jell-O to the cake mix. It will be dissolved and in liquid form to pour into the holes in the cake.

    Using two pourable containers like glass measuring cups, add 4 Tablespoons of Jell-O mix to each. Keep the red and blue separate, including using 2 different stirring spoons.

    To each measuring cup with Jell-O, add ¾ cup of hot water. Carefully stir each until the gelatin mix dissolves.

    Measuring glasses overhead with gelatin powder plus open Jello Boxes on the counter for poke cake.

    How Many Holes to Poke into the Cake?

    I like big thick holes so used a large handle on my wooden spoon. With this size, I get about 4-5 holes across the short width of the cake and about 8-9 across the long length of the cake. If you are using a smaller wooden tool to poke holes you may get up to 30-40 holes total.

    Filled with holes with red and blue Jello ready to pour.

    Carefully pour the red Jell-O into every other hole in the top of the cake. The holes do not need to be full, just a bit into each hole is plenty.

    Half of the holes will now have a bit of red gelatin in them. Next, add the blue Jell-O to the remaining holes. Make sure to not combine the colors.

    All the holes of the white caked filled with the red or blue Jello.

    5 - Chill & Decorate

    Once all the Jell-O liquid gelatin has been added to the cake, place the cake into the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour. 2-4 hours is ideal.

    When you are ready to serve it, spread the Cool-Whip evenly over the top of the cake for frosting. Sprinkle with the red & blue sugar or sprinkles. Cut into evenly sized squares.

    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake Frosting with the CoolWhip.

    This cake should be about 24 pieces. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Does Poke Cake Need to be Refrigerated?

    This poke cake has gelatin in it and a Cool-Whip whipped topping. Both of those ingredients require refrigeration for the cake to be at its best.

    Hint: This cake does not travel well so keep it in a cooler if needed. This will keep it chilled for the drive and limit the time to about 30 minutes. Get it in the refrigerator as soon as you arrive at your destination.

    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake Overhead of cut cake and slice on a plate.

    Serve this with my recipe for Red, White, & Blue Strawberries and really throw a great 4th of July party.

    Substitutions & Variations

    This poke cake can be made to fit a few special dietary needs with some simple substitutions. If you want a gluten-free, lower sugar, or vegetarian red, white, & blue poke cake, follow the suggestions below.

    • Jell-O- use sugar-free gelatin to cut down on the sugar/calorie count or use different flavors like strawberry or raspberry
    • Vegetarian - use plant-based gelatin, such as Simply Delish brand
    • Fresh Berries - instead of sprinkles top with sliced strawberries, bananas, & fresh blueberries to create a poke cake with a flag design
    • Whipped Frosting - instead of the light Cool-Whip use a canned white whipped frosting if you want something a bit sweeter
    A large square slice of red white and blue poke cake.

    Top Tips & Equipment

    For success with this recipe make sure you do the following:

    • Follow the instructions on the boxed cake mix you buy.
    • Plan ahead because this cake needs to chill twice.
    • Some brands of sprinkles will bleed so add them just before serving.
    • Serve chilled for best taste & texture.

    This sheet cake is can be made in the 9x12x2 or 9x16x3 baking pan. Here are the ingredients & equipment that are needed to make this recipe.

    Anchor Hocking 3-quart Glass Baking Dish, Set of 1
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    Anchor Hocking 3-quart Glass Baking Dish, Set of 1
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    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    07/13/2025 06:01 pm GMT
    Betty Crocker Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix, 15.25 oz.
    Betty Crocker Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix, 15.25 oz.
    Buy Now
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    12 Inch Long Wooden Spoons for Cooking - Oval Wood Mixing Spoons for Baking, Cooking, Stirring - Sauce Spoons Made of Natural Beechwood - Set of 3
    $6.99
    12 Inch Long Wooden Spoons for Cooking - Oval Wood Mixing Spoons for Baking, Cooking, Stirring - Sauce Spoons Made of Natural Beechwood - Set of 3
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    07/15/2025 01:16 pm GMT
    Mystic Sprinkles Fourth of July Sprinkles Mixes (Mini United Stars Confetti Mix 2.6oz)
    $9.99
    Mystic Sprinkles Fourth of July Sprinkles Mixes (Mini United Stars Confetti Mix 2.6oz)
    Buy Now
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    07/18/2025 12:16 am GMT
    Wilton Sprinkles, Red Sugar, 3.25 Ounces
    $3.38
    Wilton Sprinkles, Red Sugar, 3.25 Ounces
    Buy Now
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    07/13/2025 01:11 pm GMT
    Wilton BLUE, 3.25 Oz SPRINKLES SUGAR, 3.25 Ounce (Pack of 1)
    $6.98
    Wilton BLUE, 3.25 Oz SPRINKLES SUGAR, 3.25 Ounce (Pack of 1)
    Buy Now
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.
    07/13/2025 02:27 pm GMT

    The Short Order Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the blog. Thank you! 

    Two images for white cake poked with holes filled with red and blue jello and a sliced plated topped with coolwhip.

    Final Notes & Behind the Scenes

    Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned, funny stories or bloopers, and more from creating & testing this recipe for poke cake:

    • All ingredients are easy to find in grocery stores.
    • Gluten-free boxed cake mixes are a great substitution.
    • Poke cakes using gelatin first became popular in the 1970s. This vintage dessert was created for an ad from Jell-O in the 60s originally.
    • The first time I made this I used rainbow sprinkles/jimmies and that was a mistake. OOPS! The color began to bleed as they softened in the CoolWhip & though tasty did not produce stunning photos.
    • Share a comment below about other poke cake flavors you have tried.
    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake plated ready to eat.

    Patriotic Red, White, & Blue Poke Cake

    Angela
    For a Patriotic dessert to show your red, white, & blue pride, this poke cake is perfect. The moist white cake with red & blue jello streams of color is so pretty. This cool refrigerator cake with a light Cool-Whip frosting and sprinkles is the best dessert for Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, or any other American holiday.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    chilling time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 143 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x16x3 baking pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Boxed White Cake Mix
    • ingredients to make the cake mix typically egg whites, water, & vegetable oil
    • 3 oz Jello Cherry
    • 3 oz Jello Berry Blue
    • 1.5 cups hot water (divided)
    • 8 oz Cool-Whip Whipped Topping defrosted
    • red & blue colored sugar or red, white, & blue sprinkles
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°. Also, prep the baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, prepare the cake per the package ingredients.
    • Pour the cake batter into the prepared 9x16x3 baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the cake should come out clean for it to be ready.
    • Once you remove the cake from the oven, prepare the 2 Jello mixes. Heat up 1.5 cups of water until boiling hot. Do so in the microwave or on the stovetop with a tea kettle.
    • Using two pourable containers like glass measuring cups, add 4 Tablespoons of jello mix to each. Keep the red and blue separate, including using 2 different stirring spoons.
      To each measuring cup with Jello, add ¾ cup of hot water. Carefully stir each until the gelatin mix dissolves.
    • Using the end of a wooden spoon, or thick chopsticks, poke holes over the top of the cake. Leave about ¾-1" of space between each hole. this will keep the Jello colors from bleeding into one another and creating purple instead of red and blue.
      I like big thick holes so used a large handle on my wooden spoon. With this size, I get about 4-5 holes across the short width of the cake and about 8-9 across the long length of the cake. If you are using a smaller wooden tool to poke holes you may get up to 30-40 holes total.
    • Carefully pour the red Jello into every other hole in the top of the cake. The holes do not need to be full, just a bit into each hole is plenty. Half the holes will now have a bit of red gelatin in them.
      Next, add the blue Jello to the remaining holes. Make sure to not combine the colors.
    • Once all the Jello has been added to the cake, place the cake into the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour. It is best as it sits so this is a great cake to make ahead of time, even the night before.
    • When you are ready to serve it, spread the Cool-Whip evenly over the top of the cake for frosting. Sprinkle with the red & blue sugar or sprinkles.
    • Cut into evenly sized squares. This cake should be about 24 pieces. Serve immediately and enjoy!
    • Store the remaining cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Notes

    STORING:
    This cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing it. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 193mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 17IUCalcium: 58mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword 4th of July, American, cake, colored, holiday, patriotic
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Summer Desserts

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Patty says

      June 25, 2023 at 6:16 am

      5 stars
      Can this cake be frozen ahead of time?

      Reply
      • Angela says

        June 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm

        Hi, The cake itself can be baked and frozen. Once defrosted you can add the gelatin & frost. I would not freeze it with the Jello already added. I hope that helps. Enjoy.

        Reply
    2. Tammy says

      July 03, 2023 at 6:53 am

      I love that you used jell-o mixed rather than dyes! It adds a fun extra flavor to the cake as well 😀 Happy 4th!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela I’m Angela, a petite mom that loves to cook, eat, drink, & explore all things food. As a former personal chef & caterer, I specialize in family recipes that taste great & are easy to make. I rely on my trusty stool every day to create & test recipes I know you will love.

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