Red White and Blue Poke Cake + Video
Looking for the easiest red white and blue dessert to wow your guests this 4th of July? This Red White and Blue Poke Cake is the perfect combination of festive colors, delicious flavor, and simple prep. Made with a white cake mix, vibrant red and blue Jello, fluffy Cool Whip topping, and finished with colorful sprinkles, this patriotic cake is as fun to make as it is to eat!
*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and in no way affiliated with Jell-O or the Kraft Heinz brand.
For more easy 4th of July Recipes, check out this Red White and Blue Jello, 4th of July Fruit Pizza, Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries and Patriotic Trifles.
Why You’ll Love This 4th of July Cake
This patriotic cake is ideal for backyard barbecues, pool parties, or fireworks celebrations. Here’s why it’s a summer must-bake:
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- Festive and Colorful – The red and blue Jello seeps into the cake to create a beautiful striped effect — a show-stopping centerpiece for any patriotic celebration.
- Quick and Easy – Made with boxed cake mix and Jello, it’s simple to whip up even if you’re short on time.
- Cool and Refreshing – Light, chilled, and topped with Cool Whip, it’s the perfect treat for hot summer days.
- Kid-Approved – Sweet, soft, and colorful — what’s not to love?
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Want to get ahead of the celebration? You can prepare this patriotic cake a day in advance and refrigerate it until party time.
Ingredients You Will Need
NOTE: Full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
Jump
To make this festive red white and blue poke cake, you’ll need:
- White Cake Mix: Pick your favorite brand.
- Eggs: Or just egg whites for the whitest looking cake.
- Oil: Use your favorite neutral flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil.
- Water: For the cake and gelatin.
- Red Gelatin: Cherry or Strawberry flavored Jello works great.
- Blue Gelatin: Berry Blue or Blue Raspberry Jello are easiest to find.
- Whipped Topping: aka Cool Whip; or use your own stabilized whipped cream.
- Patriotic Sprinkles: For garnish. I used this sprinkle mix on Amazon. (affiliate)
How to Make Red White and Blue Poke Cake
Step 1: Bake the Cake
Prepare cake mix according to directions on the box. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake according to package directions. (Should be something like 350˚F for 25-35 minutes.) Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes; it should be warm still.
Step 2: Poke the Cake
Poke holes in rows about an inch apart across the cake with the end of a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Add the Jello
- Mix red gelatin with ½ cup boiling water until dissolved. Add ½ cup cold water and stir. Pour red gelatin into half of the holes.
- Mix blue gelatin with ½ cup boiling water until dissolved. Add ½ cup cold water and stir. Pour blue gelatin into the remaining holes. Try not to mix the colors.
Step 4: Chill
Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight to let the Jello set.
Step 5: Top with Cool Whip and Sprinkles
Before serving, spread whipped topping evenly over the cake, then top with patriotic sprinkles. Cut into 15 pieces (3 rows by 5 rows). Use a serving spatula to lift the slices of cake out of the pan.
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Recipe Notes
Tips for the Perfect Patriotic Poke Cake
- Poke the cake when warm. A warm cake is more forgiving, making it easier to create holes without breaking the cake apart.
- Let the gelatin cool slightly. After adding the cold water, let the Jello cool and thicken slightly to make it easier to pour and keep it from spreading too far.
- PRO TIP to keep the colors separate: Use a measuring spoon to scoop and pour about ½ Tablespoon of gelatin into each hole, instead of trying to steadily pour it from a glass measuring cup.
- Alternate fruit decoration: Skip the sprinkles, and top with fresh strawberries and blueberries in a flag pattern for an extra festive and fruity flair.
Make-Ahead aND STORAGE Instructions
- Make Ahead: Make the poke cake up to 2 days ahead of time and cover it tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge. Do NOT add the whipped topping and sprinkles until you’re ready to serve.
- To Store: Tightly cover the cake with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or wrap it again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months (preferably without sprinkles, as they may bleed into the whipped topping once thawed).
Make It a Red White and Blue Dessert Tradition
This red white and blue poke cake isn’t just for the 4th of July — it’s perfect for Memorial Day, Labor Day, or any event where you want to show off your patriotic spirit. Simple, sweet, and stunning, it’s bound to become your go-to red white and blue dessert.
FAQs
Absolutely. If you prefer homemade cake, just make sure it’s a white or light-colored cake so the red and blue Jello colors show through clearly.
Yes, sugar-free Jello works just fine and will slightly reduce the overall sugar content of the dessert.
You can use homemade whipped cream, but Cool Whip holds up better over time. You can also make your own homemade cool whip with heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and unflavored gelatin to replace the whipped topping and prevent it from weeping.
Red White and Blue Poke Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 oz (432 g) box white cake mix
- 1 cup (237 ml) water, (or as stated on box of cake mix)
- 3 egg whites, (or as stated on box of cake mix)
- ½ cup (118 ml) oil, canola/vegetable (or as stated on box of cake mix)
Filling and Topping
- 3 oz (85 g) small box red gelatin, (powder only)
- 3 oz (85 g) small box blue gelatin, (powder only)
- 2 cups (473 ml) water, divided
- 8 oz (226 g) tub frozen whipped topping, (Cool Whip) thawed
- red, white, and blue sprinkle mix, for decorating
Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix according to directions on the box. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake according to package directions. (Should be something like 350˚F for 25-35 minutes.) Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes; it should be warm still. Poke holes in rows about an inch apart across the cake with the end of a wooden spoon.
- Mix red gelatin with ½ cup boiling water until dissolved. Add ½ cup cold water and stir. Pour red gelatin into half of the holes.
- Mix blue gelatin with ½ cup boiling water until dissolved. Add ½ cup cold water and stir. Pour blue gelatin into the remaining holes. Try not to mix the colors. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight to let the jello set.
- Before serving, spread whipped topping evenly over the cake, then top with patriotic sprinkles (affiliate). Cut into 15 pieces (3 rows by 5 rows). Use a serving spatula to lift the slices of cake out of the pan.
Video
Notes
- To Store: Tightly cover the cake with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or wrap it again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months (preferably without sprinkles, as they may bleed into the whipped topping once thawed).
Nutrition
Did you make this?
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Can I use a white frosting?
Of course. It just going to be much sweeter. I have a homemade version of Cool Whip here, if you’d prefer that: https://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/stabilized-whipped-cream/
This poke cake is so pretty! I love all the festive colors! It’s perfect for the 4th of July!