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

The burst of red and green colors paired with the sweet, creamy layers is what makes this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe so unforgettable. It’s festive, fun to make, and always a hit with guests who love a nostalgic, moist, fruity dessert.

The image shows a square piece of cake being lifted with a silver spatula. The cake has two visible layers of sponge inside, one green on the left and one red on the right, both speckled and moist. On top of these layers, there is a thick layer of white frosting, smooth and creamy, covered with red and green round and small sprinkle decorations, giving a festive look. The cake sits in a white dish with more pieces inside, also topped with the same white frosting and sprinkles. The background is a white marbled surface with stacked white plates slightly out of focus. 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’ve made this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe for holiday gatherings more times than I can count, and it never disappoints. It’s one of those showstopper desserts that looks impressive but comes together so easily—even if baking isn’t your usual jam.

Festive and colorful: The alternating layers of red and green Jello give this cake a perfectly Christmassy vibe that's hard to resist.
Simple to make: You use a box cake mix and instant pudding, so it’s quick without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Moistness guaranteed: Poking holes and pouring Jello ensures the cake stays wonderfully moist and flavorful with every bite.
Family-friendly dessert: Kids love how colorful and fun it looks—and the creamy topping always gets rave reviews.

The image shows a square piece of sponge cake with three visible layers. The bottom layer is a light yellow sponge with green and red spots soaked into it, giving a colorful look with a soft, porous texture. The top layer is a thick, creamy white frosting that covers the entire cake surface smoothly. There are small red and green round sprinkles on the frosting. The cake sits on a plain white plate, placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white cloth partially visible underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe plays a key role in balancing flavors and textures. From the light white cake base to the vibrant Jello soaking in, plus the creamy pudding topping—it all works harmoniously to deliver convenience and holiday cheer.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of fine white cake mix powder, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with bright red strawberry gelatin powder, another small white bowl with vivid green lime gelatin powder, a white ceramic cup of steaming clear boiling water, a small white bowl of smooth vanilla pudding powder, a simple white ceramic cup of fresh whole milk, a white ceramic bowl with fluffy frozen whipped topping, and a scattering of glossy red and green sprinkles artfully arranged nearby, all 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: A sturdy yet tender canvas for the vibrant flavors to shine through; makes life easier than baking from scratch.
Strawberry Jello: Adds gorgeous red color and sweet-tart flavor that contrasts beautifully with the cake.
Lime Jello: Brings a zingy green note that pairs perfectly with strawberry for that Christmas feel.
Boiling water: Essential for dissolving the Jello mixes completely, so they seep nicely into the cake holes.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Adds luscious creaminess and a slight richness to the whipped topping.
Milk: Needed to prepare the pudding just right—don't skim on this for silky texture.
Frozen whipped topping: The light and airy touch that complements the dense cake and tart Jello perfectly.
Red and green sprinkles: The final festive flourish that adds color and a little crunch.

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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

This cake feels so customizable to me. I always enjoy tweaking the flavors of the Jello or experimenting with different toppings so it fits our crowd or any holiday theme you’re aiming for.

Variation: Once, I swapped strawberry and lime Jello for cherry and blueberry blue—it was a hit at a winter birthday party and just as vibrant!
Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free pudding mix and whipped topping to make it allergy-friendly without losing the creamy texture.
Seasonal twist: Try orange and cranberry Jello for a Thanksgiving variation that still pokes fun at the method but changes the flavor palette.
Extra texture: Add crushed peppermint candies on top for a festive crunch that guests often ask for again.

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

Step 1: Bake the Perfect White Cake Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (or whatever the cake mix box suggests). I butter or spray a 9x13-inch pan to keep that cake from sticking. Mix the cake batter as directed on the box and pour it into your prepared pan. Bake it until golden and springy—watch the edges lightly pull away and test with a toothpick to be sure it’s perfectly done. Let it cool for 15 minutes to warm-up, but not piping hot before making the holes.

Step 2: Poke, Pour, and Chill Your Jolly Jello

Now here’s the key fun part! Grab a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon and poke holes every inch or so across the cake. This is what helps the Jello soak in and keeps every bite vibrant and juicy. Next, dissolve your red and green Jello packs in boiling water—make sure it’s fully dissolved with no granules lingering. Pour the Jellos in alternating rows over the cake holes for that festive patchwork pattern. Pop it in the fridge for about 15 minutes to get that Jello set just right before you move on.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Vanilla Topping

While your cake chills with the Jello, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with milk until it thickens ever so slightly—don’t let it get too thick or lumpy. Then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping to get a smooth, fluffy creaminess. Spread this dreamy topping evenly over the cooled cake and put it back into the fridge for at least 2 hours. This resting time allows flavors to blend and the cake to fully set, making slicing so neat.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve the Festivities

Just before serving, sprinkle on your red and green decorations. I love using festive sprinkles or even a light dusting of edible glitter for that extra wow factor. Then slice, serve, and watch the smiles light up. It’s such a joy seeing those first bites sink into that bright, moist cake!

Top Tip

From my many tries, I can say these tips really make all the difference when making your Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe flawless—and keep cleanup light too!

Perfect Poking: Use the handle of a wooden spoon for slightly larger, even holes—the bigger holes let more Jello soak in, making the cake juicier.
Jello Control: Pour slowly and in rows so the colors don’t swirl together. It keeps the presentation vibrant and clean.
Chill Time is Key: Don’t rush the chilling steps—letting it sit for 2 hours helps everything set nice and firm for perfect slices.
Watch the Cake Mix: Don’t overmix the batter; it keeps the cake tender instead of dense and heavy.

How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe

Christmas Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with classic red and green sprinkles because they add a little crunch and festive flair without overpowering the creamy smoothness. Sometimes I add fresh mint leaves or tiny holly sprigs for photos and a pop of freshness.

Side Dishes

This cake is a dessert all on its own, but when I serve it alongside warm spiced cider or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the combo feels perfectly festive and indulgent without being too heavy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a Christmas party, I’ve assembled this poke cake into smaller individual mason jars layered with whipped topping and festive sprinkles for grab-and-go desserts. It’s so fun, portable, and every bite stays just as delicious as in the pan.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover your leftover poke cake tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. I’ve found it stays moist and tasty for up to 3 days in the fridge—perfect for sneaking a few extra slices after the party.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my go-to for this recipe because the Jello and creamy topping change texture once thawed. But if you do freeze, wrap tightly and enjoy within a month—thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

This dessert is best served cold, so reheating isn’t recommended. Just take it from the fridge about 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off for the best flavor and texture experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed mix for this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure your homemade cake is sturdy enough and baked in a 9x13-inch pan. You may need to adjust baking time depending on your recipe.

What’s the best way to poke the holes without breaking the cake?

Use the handle of a wooden spoon rather than a fork for more control and slightly larger holes. Be gentle and don’t press straight through the bottom to keep the cake intact.

Can I make this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This cake actually benefits from chilling. Prepare the day before and keep refrigerated until serving for the best flavor and texture.

What are some good topping alternatives if I don’t want to use whipped topping?

You can use homemade whipped cream, a cream cheese frosting, or even a mascarpone mixture for a richer twist. Just keep it light to balance the Jello and cake.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Poke Cake with Jello Recipe holds a special place on my holiday dessert table because it combines bright, joyful colors with layers of flavor that please kids and adults alike. It’s simple but delivers that wow-factor every time. I really hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings some extra sparkle to your celebrations.