Holiday Jello Cake

4.64 from 22 votes
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Holiday Jello Cake is a great addition to any holiday meal. Easy to make, delicious and colorful, this poke cake is always a crowd favorite. 

Tis this season for delicious desserts like Holiday Cookie Bars and Easy Chocolate Cherry CakeThis festive poke cake is perfect to bring to any gathering. 

Updated 12/19/2019

Holiday Jello Cake on a plate.

Jello cakes have been around for along time. I love making them especially for a special occasion. This cherry and lime combination is so fun for the Christmas holiday. The kids love helping me sprinkle the top and of course enjoy eating it!

Ingredients needed

White Cake Mix – Using a white cake mix really makes the green and red color pop. If you are in a pinch, yellow cake mix would work too. 

Cherry JELL-O – This brings the red color to the cake. If you are making this for a different holiday or party, feel free to use the color Jello you need. 

Lime JELL-O – This is the green color for the cake. 

Water – You will need cold and boiling water for this recipe. 

Frozen Whipped Topping – I use CoolWhip for this cake because I think it is nice and light. You could also make your own whipped cream or even use frosting. 

Holiday Sprinkles

What is poke cake?

Just like the name sounds, once the cake bakes, you poke holes and fill with different toppings, in this case JELL-O. 

How to make JELLO cake

Scroll to the bottom for full, printable recipe and ingredients.

  • Prepare cake according to the box directions. Let is cool slightly and then poke holes in cake with the back of a wooden spoon. 
  • Prepare red jello in one bowl and green jello in a separate bowl. Pour red jello mixture on every other row of holes and green jello in the remaining holes. Be sure to use all of the jello mixture. 
  • Place the cake in the refrigerator and let chill for 4 hours or over night. 

Jello cake in baking dish with holes and jello

  • Top cake with whipped topping (I used Cool Whip) and sprinkles. 

Jello cake with piece cut out

Recipe tips

  • If you don’t have a wooden spoon, use a fork to prick holes in the cake.
  • If you don’t have or like white cake, substitute yellow cake mix. 
  • Change the Jello flavors for different colors if you are making the cake for a different occasion. 
  • Make sure to let cake chill long enough for Jello to set.

Holiday Jello Cake with sprinkles

How to store this cake

  • Store this poke cake in the refrigerator since it contains JELL-O and cream topping. It will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. 

More easy cake recipes

Enjoy! ~Heather

Piece of cake on plate.
4.64 from 22 votes

Holiday Jello Cake

Holiday Jello Poke Cake 
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients 

  • 1 box white cake mix (+ ingredients on box)
  • 1 3 oz box lime jello
  • 1 3 oz box cherry jello
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 16 oz frozen whipped topping
  • holiday sprinkles

Instructions 

  • Bake cake according to directions on the box. Bake in a 9x13 baking pan or dish. 
  • Let the cake slightly cool and poke holes in the cake with the back of a wooden spoon. (You can also use a fork if you don't have wooden spoon.)
  • Place red jello mix in one bowl and green jello mix in another bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water in the red mix and 1 cup of boiling water in the green bowl. Stir until disolved. 
  • Pour 1/2 cup cold water in with red and 1/2 cup cold water in green. 
  • Pour red jello in every other row of holes and pour green in remaining holes. Make sure to pour all of the jello mixture. 
  • Chill the cake for 3-4 hours or over night and then top with whipped topping and sprinkles. 

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 363mg | Potassium: 32mg | Sugar: 21g | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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18 Comments

  1. You can also make cake using 2 round cake pans. After spreading on cool whip you can place colored gum drops all over it. Very festive.