This green Jello Poke Cake is a fun and easy dessert for spring holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and Easter! Bright, cheery, and delicious!
Are you excited for spring? I know I sure am. The days are getting just a little bit longer and the snow is hopefully almost done around here.
That means that I am super excited to focus on fun spring recipes like this Jello Poke Cake. I made this one using lime jello for a bright green cake with that great zing of lime flavor.
**Don’t miss our Coconut Poke Cake and Candy Corn Poke Cake too!
Have you ever made a poke cake before? I have to say, the idea of a poke cake is pretty genius.
What is poke cake?
A super quick and easy box cake mix made into an incredible dessert by drizzling liquid jello into the cake. So good!
I mean, it’s just so quick and easy to do. The cake, the frosting – it’s all semi-homemade, which is just perfect if you are pressed on time and need something fast for the holiday celebration.
jello poke cake recipes
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is the best way to store leftover jello poke cake?
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and just keep it refrigerated for up to 7 days. Let it sit on the counter for about 10-15 minutes before you plan on serving again.
Can jello poke cake be frozen?
Yes – of course. Just like any other cake, you can freeze jello poke cake. Just make sure to wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container before freezing. Use it within 3 months.
recipe jello poke cake
Can this be made with another flavor jello?
You bet – If you want to make this cake for a different occasion or just want a different flavor or color, it is great with any other flavor jello available.
Can this be made with unflavored geletin?
Yes – if you want green color, but not the lime flavor – you can use unflavored (clear) gelatin and then add a couple of drops of food coloring to make it green – or any other color.
Keep in mind that some of the fun of the cake is the added flavor of the jello – so you might want to add 1-2 tsp of an extract (maybe mint or vanilla) when making this.
recipe for poke cake
Can poke cake be made with pudding instead of jello?
Yes – poke cake can be made with pudding instead of jello. In fact, it is quite common to do so. If you want to swap out the jello for pudding, this makes it extra creamy.
Just use a 4-serving sized box of instant pudding mix and 2 cups of cold milk. Whisk those together until smooth and pour it over the top of the cake just like you would the jello mix. Then refrigerate for several hours before adding the frosting. This will help firm up the pudding before continuing.
Can you make poke cake the day before?
Making poke cake the day before is a great idea. Just be sure to cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating. You can also make the cake and jello portion the day before and then add the frosting fresh before you serve it the next day.
recipe jello cake
This recipe calls for a stand mixer. Can I also make this recipe by hand?
Yes. This recipe can easily be made by hand. However, keep in mind that this method will influence the overall time commitment.
What do you poke a poke cake with?
This will depend on how large you want the holes in the cake – those will be your pockets of flavor. So you can either go with a chopstick and have smaller holes – or use the handle of a wooden spoon (most common) for larger pockets.
I personally like to use the chopstick when making it with jello since the liquid is thin. I save the large wooden spoon handle for when I’m using pudding since it is a thicker consistency.
St. Patrick’s Day Cake
Can this recipe be cut in half?
So the tricky part about cutting this recipe is dividing the cake mix and other mixes. What you could do is make the cake mix and divide it between 2 small cake pans. Then prep the jello and pour it over the 2 baked cakes. Decorate – dividing the frosting between the cakes and then freeze one of the cakes for later.
Don’t miss these other fun recipes made with Jello for all ages
- Jello Jigglers
- Valentine Layered Jello Recipe
- Blue Raspberry Jello Cups for Kids
- Strawberry Jello Salad
- Broken Glass Jello
- Raspberry Pretzel Salad
- Jello Cookies
- Jello Popsicles
Spring Cake Recipe
Can I use a sugar-free substitute?
I have not personally tried it, but I think it will work just fine. Keep in mind that the net weight on the boxes of the sugar-free versions of both the jello and the pudding is different than the regular ones.
Just look for the package that has the 4 servings, instead of the larger family-size boxes.
Cake Recipe for Easter
What is bakers release?
Bakers release is a combination of oil, flour, and shortening that makes releasing cakes and other baked goods almost effortless.
To make Bakers Release – it is as simple as 1,1 & 1.
- equal parts of all-purpose flour, shortening, and cooking oil – I like to do 1 cup of each.
Mix the ingredients together – whisking well. Store in an airtight container in the pantry or refrigerator. When ready to use, dip a pastry brush into the mixture and spread it over the cake pan.
recipe for jello poke cake
HOW DO YOU MAKE Jello Poke Cake?
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13×9 baking dish with shortening or baker’s release. Set aside.
- Combine the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil and mix until smooth.
- Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Combine the gelatin and boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes or until dissolved, then add the cold water.
- Using a wooden skewer or large fork, poke holes into the cooled cake – spacing the holes about every 1/2 inch.
- Carefully pour gelatin over the cake.
- Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whipped topping with the pudding mix and beat until completely smooth.
- Spread the mixture over the cake. Top with any desired sprinkles, fresh limes, or decorations.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.
jello poke cake recipe
Ingredients for Jello Poke Cake
- white cake mix
- large egg whites
- vegetable or canola oil
- lime gelatin
- boiling water
- cold water
Frosting
- whipped topping thawed
- instant vanilla pudding mix 3.5 oz
Toppings
- additional whipped topping
- sprinkles
- fresh limes
recipe for jello cake
Products I love when making jello poke cake…
This poke cake recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made a poke cake before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this cake recipe.
- white cake mix
- egg whites
- vegetable or canola oil
- lime gelatin (3.4 oz)
- instant vanilla pudding mix 3.5 oz
- sprinkles
- baking pan
- mixing bowl
- mixer
- Baker’s Joy
If you love this Easy Poke Cake recipe, you’re going to love these other treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
green cake recipe
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lime cake recipe
Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix
- 4 large egg whites room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- water quantity will be whatever is listed in the recipe on the back of the box – each brand is different.
- 1 box lime gelatin any flavor will work (3.4 oz)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
Frosting
- 8 oz. whipped topping thawed
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix 3.5 oz
Toppings
- Additional whipped topping
- Sprinkles
- Fresh limes
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13×9 baking dish with shortening or baker’s release. Set aside.
- Combine the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil and mix until smooth.
- Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Combine the gelatin and boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes or until dissolved, then add the cold water.
- Using a wooden skewer or large fork, poke holes into the cooled cake – spacing the holes about every 1/2 inch.
- Carefully pour gelatin over the cake.
- Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whipped topping with the pudding mix and beat until completely smooth.
- Spread the mixture over the cake. Top with any desired sprinkles, fresh limes or decorations.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Mel says
I think you forgot to list the step where you put water in the cake. I made this tonight to take to work tomorrow. It came out very dense. The only water listed is the water for the jello.
Gina Kleinworth says
I’m so sorry to hear that. You are correct – the recipe should show that you would add the amount of water that the cake mix calls for. Since each brand is different, the quantity isn’t listed – but I did forget to mention that. I will update the recipe, thank you for letting me know.