4th of July Jell-O Poke Cake

This easy red, white, and blue dessert is made with box mix and Jell-O topped with a cream cheese whipped topping!

My mom always made themed treats each holiday and I really liked that experience as a kid. So as an adult, I do try and make themed desserts when I’m able to. This recipe is from years ago (2021, I think) and I’m just now getting around to posting. It’s an easy dessert with a box cake mix base. Like all poke cakes, you’re poking this cake and adding to it, but this one is a combo of blue Jell-O and red Jell-O. You could do frosting on top if you really wanted, but most poke cakes do a whipped cream topping and I think it’s the perfect fit. This one has added creaminess with some cream cheese too. Add some patriotic sprinkles and you have this delicious, festive cake for the Fourth of July!

What you need:

For the Cake:

• 1 box white cake mix

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1/2 box (3.4 oz) cherry gelatin (or other flavor that is red)

• 1/2 box (3.4 oz) berry blue gelatin

• 1 cup boiling water, divided

• 1/2 cup cold water, divided

For the Frosting:

• 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed

• 1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• Sprinkles

Directions:

1. For the cake: With a mixer, mix together cake mix, eggs, water, and oil until smooth.

2. Spread evenly into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

3. Bake in a preheated 350 degree for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes.

4. Combine 2 Tbsp. red gelatin (about half the 3.4 oz box) with 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Then add 1/4 cup cold water and stir to combine.

5. Use a wooden skewer or large for and poke holes into the cake about every 1/2 inch. Pour the red gelatin over the top.

6. Combine 2 Tbsp. blue gelatin (about half the 3.4 oz box) with 1/2 cup boiling water. Stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Then add 1/4 cup cold water and stir to combine.

7. Pour the blue gelatin over the top of the cake.

8. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.

9. For the frosting: Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.

10. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

11. Fold in whipped topping.

12. Spread over cake and top with sprinkles.

Recipe from Around My Family Table