Easy Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Create a moist, festive Christmas poke cake using red and green Jello for bright holiday color. This simple recipe is perfect for family gatherings and requires minimal effort.
- 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 white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 ounces red gelatin (like Jello)
- 3 ounces green gelatin (like Jello)
- 1 cup cold water (for each gelatin)
- 1 large box (12 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- Red and green sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the white cake according to the box directions, baking it in a 9×13 inch pan. Let the cake cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
- While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the surface of the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Prepare the red gelatin: Pour the red gelatin powder into a bowl. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Stir in 1 cup of cold water.
- Carefully pour the red gelatin mixture evenly over the entire surface of the warm cake, allowing it to soak into the holes.
- Prepare the green gelatin: Repeat step 3 using the green gelatin powder and the remaining boiling water and cold water measurements.
- Pour the green gelatin mixture evenly over the red gelatin layer, ensuring it fills the remaining holes.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 to 4 hours, or until the gelatin is completely set.
- Prepare the pudding topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the pudding mixture until just combined.
- Spread the pudding topping evenly over the set gelatin cake.
- Sprinkle the top generously with red and green sprinkles before serving.
Notes
- For an extra moist cake, you can substitute the cold water in the gelatin mixture with vodka or clear rum, though this is optional.
- Make this a make ahead holiday dessert by preparing it completely the day before serving.
- If you prefer a peppermint poke cake, skip the Jello and instead pour sweetened condensed milk into the holes after baking, then top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg