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Fourth of July Poke Cake

This Fourth of July Poke Cake is the perfect patriotic dessert! A moist and fluffy vanilla cake is filled with sweet gelatin and then topped with whipped topping and festive sprinkles. Not only is it refreshing but it’s also easy to make.

a slice of 4th of july poke cake on a white plate with the whole cake in the background
a slice of 4th of july poke cake on a white plate with the whole cake in the background

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If you are looking for a new dessert to take to Memorial Day this year, give this Patriotic Poke Cake recipe a try! It’s budget-friendly and so simple to make.

โค๏ธ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Only a few ingredients are needed to help you keep food costs low.
  • It’s perfect for patriotic holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
  • Can be made ahead of time and it’s easily customizable.

If you are looking for more 4th of July desserts check out this Patriotic Oreo Balls recipe.

๐Ÿ›’Ingredients

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ingredients for 4th of july poke cake labelled with text
  • white cake mix
  • vegetable oil
  • cold water
  • egg whites
  • blue gelatin mix
  • red gelatin mix
  • boiling water, divided
  • frozen whipped topping, thawed or Cool Whip
  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles

See the recipe card below for quantities.

๐Ÿ”ช How to Make Fourth of July Poke Cake

Mix the cake as directed and pour it into a 9×13 baking dish prepared with nonstick cooking spray.

Bake according to package directions. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack.

white cake with holes being punched in it.

Using a bamboo skewer, poke random holes all over the cake.

In a small bowl, carefully mix the blue gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until completely dissolved.

small bowls of red and blue jello

In a different small bowl, carefully mix the red gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until completely dissolved.

white cake with holes being filled with red and blue jello

Using a dropper or small spoon, fill the poked holes in the cake with the colored gelatin, alternating the colors.

Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

close up of the corner of iced and decorated 4th of july poke cake in a glass baking dish

Prior to serving, spread the whipped topping over the cake and then decorate with sprinkles.

Hint: If you want to pipe the whipped topping on the cake, place it in a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe around the border of the cake. Then, fill in the middle.

Close up a patriotic poke cake on a white plate
Close up a patriotic poke cake on a white plate

๐Ÿฅ„ Equipment

  • 9×13 cake pan
  • large bowls
  • bamboo skewer or wooden spoon
  • rubber spatula

๐Ÿฅซ Storage

Fridge: This 4th of July cake will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. Be sure to cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh in the fridge.

Freezer: I do not recommend freezing poke cakes as the cake will not hold up once assembled.

๐Ÿ’ญ Tips

  • Instead of sprinkles, you can top this cake with sliced strawberries and blueberries for a fresh tough.
  • You can bake the cake the day before and then add the red and blue gelatin the next day.
  • Try to make sure that your holes go all the way to the bottom of the cake.
  • Instead of Cool Whip, you can use vanilla frosting instead if you prefer.
  • Be sure to spray your cake pan well with cooking spray or baking spray before adding the batter so that the cake doesn’t stick.
iced and decorated 4th of july poke cake in a glass baking dish
iced and decorated 4th of july poke cake in a glass baking dish

โ‰๏ธ FAQs

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Is a poke cake and a gelatin cake the same thing?

Yes, they are the same recipe. I recommend you give them a try because they are delicious.

Why is it called Poke Cake?

It’s called a poke cake because you poke holes in the cake and then fill them with a filling like gelatin or pudding.

How do you poke a hole in a poke cake?

You poke holes in a poke cake with a large wooden spoon or a bamboo skewer. In a pinch, you can use a butter knife. Try to make sure whatever you poke holes with goes all the way through the cake.

๐Ÿฝ More July 4th Recipes

Do you enjoy 4th of July desserts, try these delicious recipes:

๐ŸงพFourth of July Poke Cake

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close up of a slice of 4th of july poke cake on a white plate

Patriotic Poke Cake

Celebrate Independence Day with this delicious Fourth of July poke cake recipe that's perfect for any party!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 359kcal
Author: Wendy

Equipment

  • 9×13 cake pan
  • large bowls
  • bamboo skewer or wooden spoon
  • Rubber Spatula

Ingredients

For the cake

  • 15.25 ounces white cake mix
  • ยฝ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup water

For the filling and topping

  • 3.3 ounces blue gelatin mix
  • 3.3 ounces red gelatin mix
  • 2 cups boiling water divided
  • 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
  • Red white and blue sprinkles

Instructions

  • Mix the cake as directed and pour into a 9×13 baking dish prepared with nonstick cooking spray. Bake according to the package directions. Cool the cake completely on a wire rack.
  • Using a bamboo skewer, poke random holes all over the cake.
  • In a small bowl, carefully mix the blue gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until completely dissolved.
  • In a different small bowl, carefully mix the red gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until completely dissolved.
  • Using a dropper or small spoon, fill the poked holes in the cake with the colored gelatin, alternating the colors.
  • Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Prior to serving, spread the whipped topping over the cake and then decorate with sprinkles.

Notes

This cake needs to be stored in the fridge.ย 
ย 
If you want to make this cake ahead, I recommend not topping it with the Cool Whip until you are close to serving it.ย 

Disclaimer:

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 1mg
Close up of a slice of 4th of July Poke Cake on a white plate with a bite on a fork
Close up of a slice of 4th of July Poke Cake on a white plate with a bite on a fork

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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