Easy Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Create a festive and moist Christmas Poke Cake using simple ingredients. This easy recipe features vibrant red and green Jello layers and a creamy topping, making it a perfect, no-fuss holiday dessert for your gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 4 hours 55 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix, plus ingredients listed on box (eggs, oil, water)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 ounces red gelatin (Jello)
- 3 ounces green gelatin (Jello)
- 1 cup cold water (for gelatin)
- 1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips (optional, for garnish)
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare and bake the white cake according to the package directions in a 9×13 inch baking pan. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Jello: In two separate bowls, dissolve the red gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water in each bowl. Stir for two minutes until fully dissolved. Add 1/2 cup of cold water to each bowl and stir briefly. Set aside at room temperature for about 30 minutes until the gelatin thickens slightly but is not fully set.
- Poke the cake: Use the handle end of a wooden spoon or a large fork to poke holes all over the cooled cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Poke deep holes without going all the way through the bottom layer.
- Pour the Jello: Carefully pour the slightly thickened red gelatin evenly over half of the cake surface. Pour the green gelatin evenly over the other half of the cake surface.
- Chill: Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 to 4 hours, or until the gelatin is completely set.
- Top and serve: Once the gelatin is firm, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle with white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies, if using. Slice and serve this festive holiday cake cold.
Notes
- You can substitute the white cake mix with a vanilla poke cake variation or a box of red velvet cake mix for a different flavor profile.
- For a make-ahead holiday dessert, you can poke the cake and add the Jello the day before, then add the topping just before serving.
- If you want a richer topping, use a cream cheese frosting instead of whipped topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 15