Name: Christmas Jello Poke Cake 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, plus ingredients called for on box; 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 truly festive and fun about a dessert that’s bursting with color and flavor, and this Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe fits the bill perfectly. With layers of moist cake, a jiggly jello surprise inside, and creamy topping, it’s an absolute crowd-pleaser that feels like a holiday hug on a plate.

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

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely can’t get enough of this cake during the holidays. It’s not just the vibrant red and green layers or the light, fluffy whipped pudding topping—it’s the nostalgic joy it brings every time I serve it at family gatherings. It’s honestly one of those desserts that almost everyone asks for again.

Easy to make: You don’t need to whip up anything complicated; a boxed cake mix and a few pantry staples get you a festive masterpiece.
Perfect holiday colors: The red strawberry and green lime jello aren’t just pretty—they add a refreshing flavor burst.
Fun poke technique: Poking holes might sound tricky, but it’s actually super simple and gets that jello right where it belongs.
Great make-ahead dessert: You can prepare it ahead of time so you can actually enjoy the party instead of stressing about dessert.

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

Every ingredient in this Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe plays a key role in creating that perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and creamy. Let’s unpack what you need and why.

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: The light base lets the jello and pudding really shine without adding extra heaviness.
Strawberry and lime jello: These give you those signature Christmas colors and a tangy kick that cuts through the sweetness.
Boiling water: Essential to dissolve the jello properly so it seeps into the holes perfectly.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Brings a creamy, custard-like layer that’s super comforting.
Milk: Needed to activate the pudding mix and keep the topping silky smooth.
Frozen whipped topping: Makes the topping fluffy and light without extra fuss.
Red and green sprinkles: Adds festive crunch and a cheerful final touch.

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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

One of the best things about this Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over the years, I’ve played around with different jello flavors and toppings, and each version has its own charm. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Once, I swapped the lime jello for blue raspberry for a winter wonderland effect—it was a hit at our holiday potluck and gave the cake a playful twist.
Diet-friendly tweaks: You can use sugar-free jello or pudding to lighten things up, and even try a gluten-free cake mix to accommodate friends and family.
Extra toppings: Chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even crushed candy canes add an unexpected texture and flavor boost.
Mini-version: I like to make individual portions in mason jars for a cute holiday party favor or easy dessert plate.

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

Step 1: Bake the Cake to Golden Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—if your cake mix suggests a different temp, go with that. Grease a 9x13-inch pan well with butter or nonstick spray; I like butter because it adds a bit of richness. Mix the cake batter right in a bowl using the box instructions—that’s the easiest way—and then pour it in. Bake it without peeking too much until it’s golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 2: Poke Those Holes (This Is the Fun Part!)

Once you pull the cake out, let it cool for about 15 minutes (patience here helps). Then grab a fork or the back of a wooden spoon and poke holes every inch or so across the entire surface. Don’t be shy—these holes let the jello seep in, making every bite juicy and bright.

Step 3: Pour in the Festive Jello

Mix your strawberry and lime jello each with boiling water separately until fully dissolved. Pour the red and green jello in alternating rows so the colors dance on the cake. Don’t worry if you don’t use it all—the cake will soak up what's needed. Pop it into the fridge for about 15 minutes to start setting.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Topping

While the jello chills, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and milk until thickened, then gently fold in thawed whipped topping to keep it light and fluffy. Spread this heavenly layer all over the cooled, jello-filled cake. Chill it for at least two more hours to let everything set beautifully.

Step 5: Decorate and Serve

Before serving, sprinkle red and green decorations on top. I love using festive colored sprinkles or even edible glitter for extra sparkle. Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up at the first jiggly, creamy bite.

Top Tip

Making this cake taught me one crucial thing: timing is everything. Getting that jello perfectly set in the holes before topping it makes all the difference between a stunning layered effect and a messy mix.

Even poking: Make sure your holes are evenly spaced, so the jello disperses uniformly across your cake—it looks prettier and tastes balanced.
Room temperature cake: Don’t rush chilling the cake before poking and pouring the jello; a warm cake can cause the gelatin to run off rather than seep in.
Chill time patience: Give the cake enough time to chill and set after pouring the jello and after spreading the pudding topping. It’s tempting to slice early, but slow and steady wins the texture race.
Use thawed whipped topping: Folding in perfectly thawed whipped topping keeps your pudding light—don’t try to mix it frozen or it’ll clump.

How to Serve Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Christmas Jello Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish the cake with red and green sprinkles—they add just the right pop of festive color and a little crunch. Sometimes, I like to sprinkle tiny peppermint bits or crushed candy canes on top for a minty surprise. If you want something elegant, fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds can make a beautiful, natural garnish.

Side Dishes

This poke cake pairs wonderfully with simple, fresh sides like a crisp green salad with citrus vinaigrette to balance the sweetness. For a party, I love serving it alongside warm mulled cider or a peppermint hot chocolate to keep the holiday vibes going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

During one Christmas, I made individual poke cakes in cupcake liners and layered them with mini spoons. Another time, I assembled the poke cake in a fancy glass trifle bowl for an eye-catching dessert centerpiece. Presentation really adds to the festive fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Jello Poke Cake tightly covered in the fridge—usually with plastic wrap pressed gently over the top or an airtight container. It keeps moist and fresh for up to 3 days, although it rarely lasts that long in my house!

Freezing

Freezing this cake isn’t my first choice because the jello texture changes when thawed, becoming more watery. However, if you must freeze, I recommend freezing it before adding the pudding topping and enjoying it within a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so I don’t reheat it. To enjoy leftovers, just let the cake come to fridge temperature and serve cold. The flavors and textures really shine when it’s been well chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other jello flavors for this Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! While strawberry and lime give that classic red and green holiday look, you can swap in your favorite flavors—for example, cherry and lemon—for a personal twist.

What type of cake mix works best?

A white or yellow cake mix works best to complement the vivid colors and flavors of the jello. I usually use white because it looks cleaner and lets the jello colors pop, but yellow works well too.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This cake is actually better if made a few hours or even a day ahead because it needs time to chill and set. Just keep it covered in the fridge, and you’ll have one less thing to do on party day.

How do I prevent the jello from leaking when pouring it over the cake?

Make sure the cake has cooled for at least 15 minutes before poking holes and pouring the jello—it helps the jello sink into the holes instead of running off the surface. Pour slowly and in rows to distribute it evenly without overflow.

Final Thoughts

I’ll admit, this Christmas Jello Poke Cake Recipe has become a staple at my holiday table because it’s joyful and straightforward to pull off. It’s a dessert that brightens up any gathering, and once you get the poking and pouring dance down, you’ll be making it every year. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite holiday tradition!