Rainbow Jello Poke Cake
This Jello poke cake is a fun, classic recipe that is light and tasty! It’s a colorful cake inside with a light frosting. Perfect for rainbow parties or any get-together!
Rainbow Jello Poke Cake
This rainbow jello poke cake is a spin on the classic poke cake. Poke cake has been around forever and for good reason. This cake is super tasty and it’s light enough that you can eat a whole slice (or two) without feeling weighed down after!
This rainbow cake is perfect for a rainbow party too! If you are planning a rainbow party then we have all the rainbow food you need! Check out this rainbow popcorn recipe, rainbow jello frosted grapes, layered rainbow jello and this ultimate guide to throwing a rainbow party!
Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Making a poke cake is easy! You’ll start with a box cake mix, some Jello and Cool Whip. You’ll simply be making the cake and then poking holes in it for the Jello mix. You do not need to be a great baker to make this recipe and it’s an ideal recipe for kids who love baking!
Ingredients
- 1 box of white cake mix or your favorite homemade white cake recipe
- ingredients to make cake (as listed on the box)
- 1 each – 3 oz box Jello in red, orange, yellow, blue, purple and green
- Approx 6 cups of hot water, divided
- 1 tub Vanilla Kraft Cool Whip Frosting
- rainbow sprinkles
Directions
Begin by baking the cake as directed on the box, using a 9×13 pan. Allow it to cool for one hour. Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all around the top of the cake. To achieve a rainbow in every slice space holes about ½” apart.
Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Divide into 6 equal portions and add 1 Jello mix to each cup of boiling water. Stir until the Jello has completely dissolved. Add 1/8 cup of cold water to each cup of boiling water and stir together.
Carefully pour each color over the cake. Be careful to keep the colors separate so they don’t mix by pouring one color at a time in rows of holes and then do the next color. Using a squeeze bottle helps control where it goes. You may have liquid leftover, that’s okay.
Chill at least 3 hours or overnight in the fridge. If you are in a hurry, put the poke cake in the freezer for half an hour instead!
Next, frost the cake with Cool Whip frosting and add rainbow sprinkles.
How to Store Leftover Jello Poke Cake
Store any leftover poke cake covered in the fridge when not serving it. It will last several days! Using a covered cake pan like this makes it really easy to cover this cake and store it in the fridge without the frosting sticking to plastic wrap or anything.
When you slice the rainbow Jello poke cake you’ll see the beautiful rainbow colors emerge!
Print Rainbow Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Rainbow Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- ingredients to make cake mix as listed on the box
- 1 box Jello in each color: red, orange, yellow, blue, purple and green
- 6 cups hot water divided
- 3/4 cup cold water divided
- 1 8oz container Cool Whip thawed
- rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Begin by baking the cake as directed on the box, using a 9x13 pan. Allow it to cool for one hour.
- Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all around the top of the cake. To achieve a rainbow in every slice space holes about ½” apart.
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Divide into 6 equal portions and add 1 Jello mix to each cup of boiling water. Stir until the Jello has completely dissolved. Add 1/8 cup of cold water to each cup of boiling water and stir together.
- Carefully pour each color over the cake. Be careful to keep the colors separate so they don’t mix by pouring one color at a time in rows of holes and then do the next color. Using a squeeze bottle helps control where it goes. You may have liquid leftover, that’s okay.
- Chill at least 3 hours or overnight in the fridge. If you are in a hurry, put the poke cake in the freezer for half an hour instead!
- Frost the cake with Cool Whip frosting and add rainbow sprinkles.
- Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge. Cake will last for several days.
Notes
Change Up The Flavors In Your Poke Cake
You can make this poke cake recipe with any different flavors! Use any kind of cake mix and Jello flavors to change it up. You could try a chocolate cake with cherry Jello or a funfetti cake mix with blue raspberry Jello. The possibilities are endless! You can also use a strawberry sauce or any kind of fruit sauce in place of the Jello.
Other Frosting Options
There are other ways to frost your Jello poke cake too! You can mix a 3 oz box of any flavor Jello into the Cool Whip to flavor and color the frosting. You could also add prepared vanilla pudding whipped into the Cool Whip and then frost the cake.
Can You Make a Gluten-Free Poke Cake?
Yes! You can make a gluten-free poke cake using this recipe. Just replace the box cake mix with a gluten-free box cake mix like Betty Crocker gluten-free cake mix. Use fruit sauce in place of Jello if desired and top with fresh whipped topping.
Pin Rainbow Jello Poke Cake
What a colorful cake. My Mom always made poke cake when I was younger.
Yum, this looks delicious!! I love how colorful it is
I like this recipe. The cake looks delicious!
This is so nice. I recall making a poke cake once a long time ago, it is something to do more often. I don’t remember adding that much water to the cake, I’m amazed it comes out perfect with all the added water.
These would be great for a birthday or other party!
I love how you made the cake look like a rainbow. My daughters would really enjoy this. This may be a great recipe to make with them over Thanksgiving break from school.