Description
This 4th of July Poke Cake is a festive patriotic dessert made with fluffy white cake, vibrant red and blue gelatin, creamy whipped topping, and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for summer parties, barbecues, and Independence Day celebrations, this easy poke cake recipe is moist, refreshing, and fun to serve.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 package (3 oz) cherry gelatin
- 1 package (3 oz) blue raspberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water, divided
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz whipped topping or whipped cream
- 1/4 cup patriotic sprinkles
- Optional red food coloring
- Optional blue food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, egg whites, canola oil, and water. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before poking holes evenly across the surface using the handle of a wooden spoon.
- In two separate bowls, dissolve the cherry gelatin and blue raspberry gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water each. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Carefully pour the red and blue gelatin mixtures into alternating rows of holes in the cake.
- In two separate bowls, combine 8 oz of cream cheese with 1/4 cup powdered sugar in each bowl. Add a small amount of red gelatin to one bowl and blue gelatin to the other. Mix until smooth.
- Spread the red cream cheese mixture over one section of the cake and the blue mixture over another section.
- Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour to allow the layers to set.
- Spread whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake.
- Top with patriotic sprinkles before serving.
- Chill the cake for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Allow the cake to cool fully before adding the gelatin to prevent colors from blending.
- For brighter patriotic colors, add a few drops of food coloring to the gelatin or cream cheese mixtures.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- You can substitute homemade whipped cream for store-bought whipped topping.
- This cake tastes even better when made a day ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg