Name: Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping 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; Ingredients called for on cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, and water); 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

Nothing says festive like a dessert that’s as colorful as the season itself. This Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe is a cheerful, jiggly celebration on a plate—perfect for bringing some holiday magic to your table with every bite.

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 and Whipped Topping Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this Christmas poke cake when I wanted something unique for a holiday party—something that tasted like nostalgia but looked exciting on the dessert table. It quickly became a standout because it’s both easy and festive, with textures and flavors that everyone raves about.

Vibrant Festive Colors: The alternating red and green Jello layers create such a fun, eye-catching effect—it’s practically a holiday showstopper.
Simple & Crowd-Friendly: You’re combining familiar ingredients that bake up in minutes but feel special, perfect for when you want impressive with minimal fuss.
Deliciously Moist Poke Cake: Poking holes and filling them with Jello keeps the cake juicy and bursting with fruity flavor after just a bit of fridge time.
Light Whipped Topping Finish: The creamy pudding-whipped topping balances the sweet-tart jello so it never feels too heavy—just right for holiday indulgence.

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

The magic of this Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe lies in how simple ingredients come together to deliver something much bigger than the sum of their parts. Choosing a trusty box of white cake mix and pairing it with strawberry and lime Jello gives you those unmistakable holiday hues and a juicy kick inside the cake.

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: Using a white cake mix creates a neutral, tender base that lets the bright Jello flavors shine without competing.
Strawberry Jello: Adds sweetness and vibrant red color that spreads through the cake for that festive pop.
Lime Jello: The zingy green contrasts beautifully and adds a refreshing twist against the strawberry.
Boiling Water: Essential to fully dissolve the Jello powders so they can seep into every poke hole.
Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Brings creamy texture and a mild vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with the whipped topping.
Milk: Needed to mix with the pudding for smoothness; whole milk works best for richness.
Frozen Whipped Topping: Adds lightness and fluffiness to the pudding layer, making the topping irresistibly soft.
Red and Green Sprinkles or Decorations: The final festive touch—you can pick glittery sugar or holiday shapes to amp up the party vibe.

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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

Personally, I like to switch up the Jello flavors sometimes—blueberry pairs surprisingly well with a lemon cake mix for a different holiday twist. Feel free to play around with the colors and flavors to suit your family’s tastes or any theme you’re aiming for!

Variation: One time, I swapped lime Jello for orange and added a dusting of cinnamon on top to give it a cozy Christmas-citrus vibe. Everyone loved it!
Dietary Modification: Use a sugar-free Jello and pudding mix if you're watching sugar intake, but watch the sweetness level—it might change the flavor slightly.
Seasonal Change: For non-Christmas occasions, pick red and blue Jello or any colors that fit the celebration—this cake is super flexible.

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

Step 1: Bake Your Cake to Golden Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (or whatever your box cake mix instructs). I grease my 9x13-inch pan really well to make sure nothing sticks, using either butter or a nonstick spray. Then mix the white cake mix according to the directions on the box—this usually involves eggs, oil, and water—and pour the batter evenly into your pan. Pop it into the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool just for about 15 minutes; you want it still warm but not piping hot for the next step.

Step 2: The Fun Part — Poke and Pour

Grab a fork or the handle end of a wooden spoon and poke holes all around your cake, spaced about an inch apart. This is what lets the Jello seep in and flavor every bite — trust me, don’t skip this! While you poke, keep an eye on the cake’s temperature; it should be cool enough to not melt the Jello but still warm enough to soak up those colorful layers.

Step 3: Mixing and Layering Jello Magic

Now for the Jello! I mix each of the 6 oz boxes (strawberry and lime) separately with 1 cup boiling water until fully dissolved—no granules or bumps, smooth as silk. Then carefully spoon your green and red Jello in alternating rows over the cake. It’s okay if you don’t use all the liquid; you want enough for that luscious soak but not so much your cake turns into a swimming pool. Pop the cake in the fridge for about 15 minutes to let the Jello set slightly into those holes.

Step 4: Whipping Up the Creamy Topping

While your cake chills, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix with 1 cup of cold milk until it thickens—about 2 minutes is key. Then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping to keep it light and airy. Spread this luscious topping evenly over your now-chilled cake and return it to the fridge for at least 2 hours. This step is essential to let everything set properly and develop those layers of flavor and texture.

Step 5: Decorate and Serve with Holiday Flair

Right before serving, sprinkle red and green decorations on top to add a festive sparkle. I love using a mix of holiday-themed sprinkles for the visual pop, but colored sugar crystals or edible glitter works beautifully too. Slice it up and get ready for compliments—it’s a guaranteed hit!

Top Tip

From making this Christmas poke cake multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that truly make a difference and help avoid any holiday baking stress.

Perfect Poke Hole Depth: Don’t poke too deep—about an inch or a little more is enough. This way the Jello seeps nicely without leaking through the bottom.
Cool Cake Is Key: Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before poking. If it’s too hot, the Jello melts and won’t set properly.
Don’t Over Pour Jello: Pour slowly and watch how much liquid sinks in—you want the Jello filling the holes without pooling at the bottom of your pan.
Chill Time Patience: Resist the urge to dig in early! The cake needs a solid chill (2+ hours) for the pudding topping to set and for the flavors to meld beautifully.

How to Serve Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe

Christmas Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic holiday sprinkles—red and green balls, stars, or tiny candy canes—for a cheerful look. Sometimes, I’ll add fresh mint leaves or a few fresh raspberries on top for a refined touch and extra flavor contrast.

Side Dishes

This poke cake pairs nicely with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider, making it perfect for cozy holiday brunches or dessert after your Christmas dinner feast. Serve alongside other lighter desserts or fruit salad to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I like to serve this cake on a festive cake stand surrounded by mini candy canes or pine sprigs for a rustic look. You can also cut it into squares and drop each onto a decorative holiday plate with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Christmas poke cake keeps wonderfully well in the fridge for up to 3 days when covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it’s super tasty the next day. Just keep it chilled to maintain that jiggly pudding and Jello goodness.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my favorite option here since the whipped topping and pudding texture can get watery after thawing, but if you need to, freeze slices individually wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight and expect a slightly softer texture.

Reheating

This poke cake is best served cold, so I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, just let it come to a comfortable fridge-cool temperature before serving so the flavors are nicely balanced and the topping stays fluffy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it’s best made at least 3 hours ahead, ideally overnight, to let the Jello soak through and the whipped topping set perfectly.

What if I don’t have instant pudding mix?

Instant vanilla pudding mix is key to achieving the creamy, thick topping. If you don’t have it, you can try making homemade pudding, but it may change the texture and flavor slightly. Another alternative is adding extra whipped topping with vanilla extract for flavor.

Can I use homemade cake instead of box mix?

Absolutely! A homemade white cake recipe works just as well. Just be sure it’s firm enough to hold the Jello without falling apart when poked. Cooler cakes that aren’t too moist are ideal for poking and soaking.

What’s the best way to poke the holes evenly?

I find using the handle end of a wooden spoon gives you a larger, consistent hole that fills nicely with Jello. Marking rows in a grid pattern helps maintain even spacing—about one inch apart.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Poke Cake with Jello and Whipped Topping Recipe has added such a joyful and colorful tradition to my holiday baking roster. It’s one of those desserts that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—bringing smiles, sweet memories, and a bright splash of cheer to any celebration. Give it a try this season and watch it become a new family favorite, just like it did for me!