Check out this patriotic dessert. This is a red white and blue poke cake bursting with flavor and topped with festive sprinkles. If you are looking for an easy but delicious 4th of July dessert, give this recipe a try!
Red White and Blue Poke Cake
Summer is just around the corner, which means summer parties and celebrating holidays with family and friends. If you have plans to host a red, white, and blue party, be sure to check out some of these party ideas.
Red, White & Blue Outdoor Party Theme
Celebrate 4th of July Party Idea
A patriotic poke cake that uses a red and a blue jello that gets poked into the cake so each slice is fruit, colorful, and festive. Instead of a boxed cake mix like most poke cakes use, I reached for ingredients to make a homemade poke cake.
Can I Use Boxed Cake Mix
If you are not feeling up to making a boxed cake mix, go right ahead and use a store-bought white cake mix. I find that it will work just as good. I just wanted to give you all the option to make a homemade vanilla cake if you would like. It adds a bit more flavor to the cake.
What to use to poke holes in cake?
If you are new to poke cakes, it is a cake you bake, then poke tons of holes all over the cake. This is what allows the jello liquid mixture to pour all the way down into the cake.
You can use a wooden skewer, the back of a wooden spoon, or anything that can create little hollow holes in the cake. Then you will space out all the holes so most of the cake has the tiny holes.
Or you can grab a fork and use that to poke down and up out of the cake. You just want to puncture kind of deep into the cake, to ensure the jello soaks in.
Does poke cake need to be refrigerated?
You will find that poke cake is best refrigerated, especially if you reach for a pudding-based filling or whipped cream topping. It all depends on the ingredients used. But even with a classic jello base and a classic frosting, I find refrigeration is best. You can store your cake for around 5-7 days in the fridge.
Can you freeze poke cake?
If you donโt plan to eat all of this 4th of July cake right away, place any leftovers you may have in the freezer. Just ensure it is in a proper container and freeze for 3 months.
Then when you want some of the cake, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight. Or remove a slice or two and thaw on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour.
Tips For Making This Jello Poke Cake
- Any flavor of Jello will work for this recipe. I wanted a 4th of July theme, but feel free to change it up. You can do 1 flavor or multiple flavors of Jello.
- The white cake tends to pair best with the bold Jello flavors. But you could use a yellow cake or French vanilla to replace white.
- Top with whipped cream or even a frosting of your choice.
How to make a Red White and Blue Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp. Baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp. Butter
- 1 package strawberry or cherry jello
- 1 package blue raspberry jello
Directions:
- Grease an 8 x8 baking dish (I use coconut oil). Set aside.
- In two small bowls add half of the jello mix. (1 flavor in each). Boil 1 cup of water. Add half to the red jello bowl and half to the blue jello bowl. Add half a cup of cold water to each and stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Beat eggs with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Bring milk to a simmer in a small pot. Add butter and remove it from the burner. Stir until butter is melted.
- Slowly add milk mixture to above mixture. Beat until smooth.
- Pour into greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.
- Cool cake for 10-15 minutes and then poke holes in it with the end of a wooden spoon. Pour jello in holes, alternating between red and blue.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, cover with icing of choice. I used leftover marshmallow cream icing that I had previously made. You could do whipped cream for a less sweet version, or a premade whipped icing.
Can I Make this cake in advance?
It is best to make this cake in advance. You will find it takes a few hours minimum for the jello to cool down and soak thoroughly into the cake. So I recommend making this the morning of your plan to serve or even the night before!
Can I Make this Patriotic Poke Cake into Cupcakes
Absolutely! Just make up the batter, and put it into cupcake linersโBake as directed. Then poke holes in each cupcake and carefully pour in the jello to each cupcake.
Allow the cupcakes to cool fully, then frost with whipped cream, classic frosting, and decorate to your liking.
Enjoy!
Find more red, white, and blue food ideas below:
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp. Baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp. Butter
- 1 package strawberry or cherry jello
- 1 package blue raspberry jello
Instructions
- Grease an 8 x8 baking dish (I use coconut oil). Set aside.
- In two small bowls add half of the jello mix. (1 flavor in each). Boil 1 cup of water. Add half to the red jello bowl and half to the blue jello bowl. Add half a cup of cold water to each and stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Beat eggs with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
- Bring milk to a simmer in a small pot. Add butter and remove it from the burner. Stir until butter is melted.
- Slowly add milk mixture to above mixture. Beat until smooth.
- Pour into greased baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.
- Cool cake for 10-15 minutes and then poke holes in it with the end of a wooden spoon. Pour jello in holes, alternating between red and blue.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, cover with icing of choice. I used leftover marshmallow cream icing that I had previously made. You could do whipped cream for a less sweet version, or a premade whipped icing.
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