Name: Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15 oz) box white cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box; 1 (6 oz) box strawberry jello; 1 (6 oz) box lime jello; 2 cups boiling water; 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix; 1 cup milk; 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed; Red and green sprinkles or decorations

There’s something so magical about the way vibrant Jello seeps into a soft cake, and that’s exactly what makes this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe such a festive favorite. It’s colorful, fun, and bursting with fruity flavors that perfectly capture the holiday spirit.

The image shows a slice of festive cake held by a woman's hand, lifted from a white dish on a white marbled surface. The cake has two main layers: the bottom layer contains a soft, sponge-like texture with green and red coloring swirling through a pale yellow base, and the top layer is about half the thickness of the sponge layer, with smooth white frosting. The frosting is decorated with scattered red and green round sprinkles, along with tiny green and red sugar crystals, giving it a holiday look. The larger dish behind holds the rest of the cake cut into square pieces, each topped with the same festive decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love how easy this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe is to make, yet it looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s one of those desserts that instantly brightens a holiday gathering, and everyone always asks for the recipe.

Festive Flavors: The combination of strawberry and lime Jello gives it a bright, holiday vibe that’s both sweet and tangy.
Simple Prep: Using a boxed cake mix and instant pudding keeps the process stress-free and fast, so you can focus on enjoying the season.
Show-Stopping Look: The jiggly pockets of Jello poke through the cake, creating a fun red and green pattern that guests love.
Versatility: You can tweak the flavors or decorations to fit your own holiday style, making it a cake you return to year after year.

The image shows a single square slice of a colorful cake on a white plate with a red and white cloth underneath. The cake has two main layers: the bottom layer is a light sponge with bright green and red spots that look soaked with syrup, creating a wet texture with small holes. On top, there is a thick layer of smooth white frosting decorated with small round green and red sprinkles scattered evenly. The cake looks moist and soft, and the background is a white marbled texture with blurred shapes giving it depth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe brings together classic pantry staples and festive Jello flavors that work like a charm. Each ingredient plays a role in creating that soft, moist texture and vibrant color pop.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of fine white cake mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant red strawberry gelatin powder, a small white ceramic bowl of bright green lime gelatin powder, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth vanilla pudding mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh whole white milk, a small white ceramic bowl of fluffy thawed whipped topping, a neat pile of red and green round sprinkles, and two clear whole brown eggs with clean shells, all arranged symmetrically with balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: I love using a white mix because it lets the bright Jello colors really shine through without competing flavors.
Strawberry Jello: Gives a rich, fruity red that’s essential for that Christmas feel — it’s sweet but not overpowering.
Lime Jello: The zesty green Jello contrasts perfectly with strawberry for a classic holiday look and a fun tangy twist.
Boiling water: Needed to dissolve the Jello powders smoothly so they can soak into the cake’s holes without clumping.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Adds a creamy, smooth texture to the topping, boosting the cake’s moisture and flavor.
Milk: Used to make the pudding—helps it set just right for spreading.
Frozen whipped topping: Lightens up the pudding mix, making the topping fluffy without being too heavy.
Red and green sprinkles or decorations: The final touch that brings the cake’s festive look to life—don’t skip this step!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up with this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe, especially by swapping in different Jello flavors or toppings to match our family’s mood each year. It’s super forgiving and fun to personalize!

Variation: One year, I tried orange and cherry Jello for a slightly different take—and it was just as festive. Feel free to play with any Jello combo you like or even use sugar-free versions for a lighter treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe

Step 1: Bake your perfect cake base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F — or whatever your cake mix box recommends. I like to grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter so the cake doesn’t stick and comes out cleanly. Mix the white cake batter as the box directs, then pour it in. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, usually about 30 minutes. Don’t rush this; a fully baked but still moist cake is key for soaking up all that Jello goodness later on.

Step 2: Poke those holes and prepare your Jello

Once your cake has cooled slightly (about 15 minutes), grab a fork or the handle-end of a wooden spoon and poke holes evenly about every inch across the whole cake. This step is crucial because these holes will let the Jello seep right down for that colorful, moist effect. While the cake cools further, dissolve each Jello flavor separately in boiling water — don’t skip stirring until fully dissolved, or you’ll get clumps nestled in those holes.

Step 3: Pour the Jello and chill

Pour the green and red Jello mixtures in alternating rows over the cake, making sure the liquid has plenty of chances to seep into all those holes. It might seem like a lot at first, but you won’t end up using every drop. Pop the cake into the fridge for at least 15 minutes to let the Jello set inside the cake.

Step 4: Whip up the creamy topping

While the cake chills, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until smooth. Then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping to keep things light and fluffy. Spread this creamy layer evenly over the chilled cake—this adds softness and balances out the fruity layers perfectly.

Step 5: Final chill and decorate

Pop the cake back in the fridge for at least 2 more hours to let everything set just right. When it’s time to serve, sprinkle on plenty of red and green sprinkles or your favorite festive decorations. The crunch and color add the perfect finishing touch!

Top Tip

After making this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe a few times, I’ve learned that timing and gentle handling make all the difference. Here are the best tips I've picked up to get those perfectly colorful, moist layers without a single mishap.

Let the cake cool before poking: If your cake is too hot, the Jello won’t absorb well and can turn runny. Give it at least 15 minutes to set but don’t wait until it’s completely cold or the Jello won’t soak deep enough.
Use boiling water for the Jello: This is crucial to fully dissolve the powders and get that smooth texture that slips into the holes nicely.
Pour the Jello slowly: Take your time layering the red and green Jello alternately to create that beautiful pattern; help the Jello sink by gently nudging it if needed.
Chill thoroughly: Giving the cake enough time to chill and set is key for clean slices that hold their shape and prevent Jello from running.

How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe

Christmas Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with red and green sprinkles right on top—they add a festive crunch and make the cake look like it belongs front and center on the dessert table. For a little extra flair, sometimes I add fresh mint leaves or tiny edible silver balls for sparkle.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with simple whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to make it extra indulgent. I’ve also served it alongside holiday fruit salad to add some fresh brightness—both combinations are always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I sometimes cut the poke cake into festive shapes using cookie cutters before plating. They look adorable, especially when topped with a bit of powdered sugar snow or edible glitter. Presentation is half the fun, especially when you have kids involved in decorating!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover poke cake keeps wonderfully in the fridge, tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil, for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld a little more each day, so it can taste even better the next day—a definite win for holiday entertaining.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing this cake because the Jello can get a bit watery upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a couple of days refrigerated to preserve its unique texture and colors.

Reheating

This cake is best served cold or at room temperature. Reheating isn’t recommended since the Jello topping sets firmly when chilled and reheating would change the texture. Just pull it out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other flavors of Jello in this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite Jello flavors. Just try to pick colors that contrast nicely so your poke cake still looks festive and vibrant.

Do I have to use boxed cake mix and pudding?

You don’t have to, but boxed mixes save a ton of time and hassle without sacrificing flavor. If you want to get creative, homemade cake and pudding both work quite well, just remember to keep the cake on the lighter side so the Jello can soak in easily.

How far in advance can I prepare the Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe?

You can prepare the poke cake up to 1 day ahead of time. Make sure to chill it for at least 2 hours after finishing, and store it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply use a gluten-free white cake mix and ensure your pudding and toppings are gluten-free as well. Most Jello powders are naturally gluten-free, but double-check the packaging to be safe.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe holds a special place in my holiday heart. It’s one of those desserts that brings smiles from kids and adults alike and fits perfectly into the joyful chaos of the season. Once you try it, you might find yourself adding it to your own festive traditions like I have. Trust me, it’s as fun to make as it is to eat!