Name: Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h
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

There’s something about a dessert that’s both colorful and bursting with flavor that makes holiday celebrations even sweeter. This Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser—it’s bright, fun, and super easy, turning an ordinary cake into a festive masterpiece that everyone loves.

A square slice of cake with two visible layers sits on a white plate over a red and white striped cloth, set against a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is thick with a light, fluffy texture, showing a color mix of green on the left and red on the right with small holes throughout. The top layer is a smooth, creamy white frosting, evenly spread and topped with small red and green round sprinkles. The background is softly blurred to emphasize the cake in the front. 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 Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe is one of my favorites for the holidays because it’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. Every year, I look forward to poking those little holes and filling them with bright red and green jello—it’s like magic, and your guests will notice the love you put into every bite.

Bright and Colorful: The red and green jello not only looks fantastic but adds a refreshing burst of flavor to every slice.
Simple but Impressive: It comes together quickly with mostly pantry staples, making it perfect even if you’re short on time.
Perfect Texture: That soft cake soaked with jello and topped with creamy pudding makes it uniquely luscious and satisfying.
Fun to Customize: You can easily tweak decorations and flavors to suit your holiday vibe or dietary needs.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here assemble into a cake that’s light on the crumb but packed with flavor. The white cake mix creates a subtle base that lets the jello and pudding shine, while the whipped topping keeps it creamy and dreamy. When you combine these thoughtfully, you end up with something truly festive and memorable.

Flat lay of a small pile of fine white granulated sugar, a pristine white ceramic bowl with bright red strawberry gelatin powder, another white ceramic bowl with vibrant green lime gelatin powder, a whole uncracked brown egg, a small mound of smooth white vanilla instant pudding powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh cold milk, a small white ceramic bowl containing fluffy thawed whipped cream, and a scattering of shiny red and green sprinkles artfully collected on a white ceramic plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly arranged in symmetrical balance, 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: A classic base that’s neutral and fluffy, perfect for absorbing the jello without falling apart.
Strawberry jello: Adds a sweet, fruity pop with a bright red hue that screams holiday cheer.
Lime jello: Its tartness and green color balance the sweetness and add lovely contrast.
Boiling water: Essential for properly dissolving the jello powders for smooth layering.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Thickens the cake’s topping, adding creamy texture and a hint of vanilla sweetness.
Milk: Hydrates the pudding mix just right, creating a silky consistency.
Frozen whipped topping: Provides light, fluffy richness without needing to whip from scratch.
Red and green sprinkles: The perfect festive touch that’s fun and easy to sprinkle on top!

📝

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

This Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe is super versatile and a great canvas for your personal touch. I often swap in different jello flavors or experiment by adding fresh fruit chunks in the holes before pouring the jello for an extra treat. Give it your own spin to make it truly yours!

Variation: One year, I used cherry and lime jello instead of strawberry, and it was a big hit—try what you like and see how joyful the color combos can be.
Dietary Modifications: You could use sugar-free jello for a lighter version, or try dairy-free pudding and whipped topping options to accommodate allergies.
Seasonal Twist: For a winter twist, add crushed peppermint candies on top instead of sprinkles for a peppermint-chocolate vibe.
Difficulty: Even if you’re new to poking cakes, it’s foolproof—just be gentle and have fun poking those holes evenly!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe

The image shows a rectangular baked dessert with a checkered pattern on top, consisting of alternating red and green squares. The crust is golden brown and slightly textured, with small perforations running across the surface in a grid-like manner. The red and green colors are vibrant and glossy, creating a festive appearance. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Bake the Fluffy White Cake Base

Preheat your oven to 350°F (or as the cake mix box directs). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish really well—I like using a mix of butter and nonstick spray to make sure nothing sticks. Mix the cake batter exactly as the package instructs, then pour it evenly into the pan. Bake according to the timing suggested, usually around 30 minutes. The cake should spring back to a gentle touch and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.

Step 2: Poke Those Festive Holes

After letting the cake cool for about 15 minutes, take a fork or the handle end of a wooden spoon and poke holes across the cake about every inch. This is the fun part where the magic happens—the jello will sink right into these holes, infusing the cake with vibrant color and flavor. Let the cake cool more so it’s ready to absorb the jello without melting it.

Step 3: Pour the Jello Mixture

Mix each jello flavor separately with one cup of boiling water—stir till it dissolves completely so you have smooth liquid jello. Then, pour red and green jello alternately in rows over the cake, making sure you cover all those little holes so the jello seeps deep down. Don’t worry if you don’t use all the jello; better to have a bit left over than flood the cake. Pop it in the fridge to chill for about 15 minutes. This step sets the jello inside the cake, creating that signature poke cake surprise.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Topping

While the cake chills, whisk the vanilla pudding mix with milk until you get a nice thick but pourable custard. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping, which keeps things light and fluffy without extra work. Spread this gorgeous creamy layer over your chilled cake, smoothing it evenly. Then, chill the cake for at least two hours so everything sets beautifully.

Step 5: Decorate and Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle those classic red and green sprinkles all over the top. It adds instant festive charm and texture. Slice into small squares and watch your friends’ faces light up with each colorful, creamy bite. It’s honestly one of the happiest desserts on my holiday table!

Top Tip

From making this poke cake a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help it come together perfectly every time. These tips have saved me from soggy bottoms and dull colors—so take ’em to heart!

Even Poking: Spacing those poke holes evenly ensures every bite has a beautiful balance of cake and jello without patches that are dry or overly soggy.
Jello Dissolving: Make sure to stir the jello really well in hot water to avoid graininess or clumps that won’t settle nicely in the cake.
Gentle Folding: When folding the whipped topping into the pudding mix, do it softly to keep that dreamy, light lift instead of deflating it into a gluey blob.
Chill Time: Don’t rush the chilling steps—it allows flavors to meld and textures to set properly for the best sliceable, scoopable results.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe

Festive Christmas Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this cake with classic red and green sprinkles because they’re simple and festive. But I’ve also experimented with tiny edible glitter stars or crushed peppermint candy for a holiday flair—you really can’t go wrong. Whatever you choose, a little sprinkle goes a long way to make it party-ready.

Side Dishes

This cake shines as a standalone dessert, but if you’re pairing it, think bright and light sides. Fresh fruit platters, peppermint hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream complement it beautifully. I often serve it alongside a warm cup of spiced cider for cozy gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday potluck, I like slicing the poke cake into bite-sized squares and arranging them on a tiered dessert tray. It becomes a colorful centerpiece that invites everyone to grab a festive treat. Another fun option is to use mini muffin pans for individual poke cakes, perfect for portion control and easy sharing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once made, I store any leftover poke cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It holds up well for about 3-4 days, and the flavors actually deepen with a day or two of resting. Just be sure the topping isn’t disturbed, or it might shift and look less neat.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cake before, though I prefer it fresh. If you want to freeze, wrap individual slices tightly with plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to keep that creamy texture intact.

Reheating

Since it’s a chilled dessert, I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, just bring it to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving if you want it less cold. This helps the flavors pop without turning the whipped topping soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other jello flavors in this Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! You can mix and match your favorite jello flavors. Just pick colors and flavors that complement the holiday vibe—or even try flavors for other occasions. Just remember that colors and taste will vary.

What type of cake mix works best for this poke cake?

A white cake mix is ideal because its light flavor lets the jello layers shine. You could experiment with yellow cake mix, but darker cakes might dull the bright colors of the jello.

How do I prevent the jello from making the cake soggy?

Make sure the cake has cooled sufficiently before poking and pouring the jello, and don’t pour all of the jello mixture—use just enough to fill the holes. Also, chilling the cake after pouring the jello helps set it quickly, preventing a soggy texture.

Can I prepare this poke cake a day in advance?

Yes! In fact, I recommend making it a day ahead to let the flavors meld beautifully. Just keep it covered and refrigerated, and add sprinkles right before serving for freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Poke Cake Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it’s made so many holiday gatherings instantly feel more joyful and colorful. It’s my go-to when I want something that looks impressive without a lot of fuss. Once you try it, I bet it’ll become your holiday staple too—just like it did for me. So, grab your cake mix, some jello, and get ready for a splash of festive magic that everyone will rave about!