This time every year I feel like it’s my civic duty to write a poke cake public service announcement. For those of you who live in the Midwest, you are already familiar with this simple summertime favorite, but many others have never heard of it. When I first moved to New England and started making poke cakes, my friends and neighbors looked at me wide eyed and appreciative when I shared this wonderful cake with them. The best part? It’s cheap and easy. Cheap and easy isn’t always a good combo, but with cake it is.
First, bake a cake. Any yellow or white cake mix will do. Don’t get all fancy and bake a cake from scratch. It’s really not necessary. Then find your favorite kid to poke some holes in it. I use a spoon handle to get the job done.
Slice and devour. Nothing beats this on a hot summer’s day. If you haven’t made a poke cake before, go grab a cake mix out of your stockpile and get baking. Be sure to take this to any parties you are invited to this summer and prepare for oohs and aaaahs. It really is that good. Enjoy!
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Mmmmmmm….we love these! Perfect for a summer day, as they are so light.
Going to have to make this now. Looks great.
I like the name “poke Cake” We just call it a Jello cake, and we use a fork for the holes, but anyway you say it, they are yummy!
Totally grew up in the midwest (Indiana) and have never heard of the poke cake so thanks for the PSA!! (Maybe I’ve had it, but we never made it?! Dunno.) Looks yummy!
If you want a chocolate alternative make a chocolate cake and then pour a can of sweetened condensed milk and a bottle of caramel on it when it’s warm. The top with cool whip and I like to put a couple of smashed Skor bars on top. Yum! It’s best when it’s cold too!
Love this always. My favorite is lemon jello with white cake and then I mix some lemon zest into the cool whip/ A few sliced lemons for garnish and it really looks impressive. I love that it is a light dessert for summer!
We love this cake too! Called it Jello Cake and got lots of strange looks until people tried it. Ours had a frosting made out of dream whip, instant vanilla pudding, vanilla and milk – so so good!!!
We make one every Memorial Day too.
Gonna make this,i actually have that same flavored cool whip in my freezer right now, what a great way to use it up!!
I remember the first poke cake someone brought to a party. She wasn’t super *domesticated* and I was blown away by just how fancy it was. Hers was a layer cake with cherry jello. Thanks for reminding me how awesome this totally simple cake can be!
Hmm…well I’ve been making this for many years, same as you with the wooden spoon and all, but for some reason I was told to omit the cold water when following the jello instructions. Now I’m totally confused…and wondering just how different our poke cakes turn out?
Oh Mel!! See, I knew I loved you the first time I saw one of your creations!!!
We call it “Jello Cake” here in Upstate NY. I’ve mixed and created different version, but the winner has been the tropical paradise one.
We take just the yellow cake mix. Then use an pineapple jello (yes there is, Pina colada
) and then to the cool whip I add the smallest can of crushed pineapple very well drained and then spinkle coconut on top w/ a frew diced strawberries…
Winner every time, thank you for te reminder!! I haven’t made one of these in a very long time!!!
Made one today for my father-in-laws birthday party – it was a hit!
we do strawberry cake, strawberry jello and the dream whip/vanilla pudding frosting…call it strawberry ice box cake.
I do one really similar to this I think it’s a weight watchers recipe though but perfect for people with diabetes.
Use a sugar free or less sugar cake mix, sugar free jello, but in the cake mix when mixing just use the cake mix and a diet pop of any flavor you like. Then use sugar free cool-whip on top.
I’ve never heard of Poke Cake! But I’m saving this recipe! Thanks!
Love all of the different varieties of this cake here!
I’m sorry but I literally laughed out loud, that Jell-o must have been in your stock pile for quite a while, I didn’t even know Jell-o mix could expire!
Ha! You have good eyes! I use most products (depending on what it is) up until 4 months past expiration. My big exception is any type of mix that has flour. In that case I use it only until the expiration date on the box.
I have seriously fond memories from my childhood of a cake made this way, but there was some kind of coconut milk mixture poured in the holes, and the frosting on top had coconut in it. Have you ever had pretzel salad made with jello? It will rock your world!
Sawyier
KY
My cake is in the oven right now!! I can’t wait to serve this for dessert!
One of our favorite desserts here in MO! My hubby always makes a Jello cake when there is a holiday and makes sure that the colors are based on the holiday! Example: The Christmas Jello cake was cherry red jello with green whipped topping…he loves it sooooo much!