This lime poke cake is easy to make and is a yummy spring dessert. This cake is also a fun green treat for St. Patrick's Day.
Made with boxed cake mix, lime gelatin, and whipped cream, this dessert is fast to put together and doesn't take much effort to make.
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Poke cakes are the perfect cakes for potlucks and outdoor gatherings. They're easy to make and there are a wide variety of flavors to choose from. This Pineapple Poke Cake is made with crushed pineapple and instant vanilla pudding mix - it's so easy and delicious!
Full of lemon flavor, this Easy Lemon Poke Cake is made with lemon cake mix, lemon extract, and lemon juice.
What is Poke Cake?
Poke cake is a very simple but delicious dessert. It's a boxed cake mix made in a 9x13 dish that is poked with holes after being baked. Then, JELLO (any flavor!) is made and poured over the entire cake and poured into the holes. Once the JELLO is set up, it is topped with a whipped cream frosting. It's that easy!
Ingredients in Lime Poke Cake
- white cake mix
- egg whites
- vegetable oil
- milk
- lime gelatin
- boiling water
- cold water
Ingredients in Whipped Cream Frosting
- whipped topping
- instant vanilla pudding mix
- green or spring sprinkles
How To Make Lime Poke Cake
Preheat the oven - Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and coat a 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Make the cake mix - Combine cake mix, eggs, milk, and oil until smooth.
Spread into the prepared dish - Spread evenly into the baking dish, making sure the cake meets all edges of the dish.
Bake - bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool - Remove and allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes.
Make the gelatin - Combine lime gelatin and boiling water and stir for about 2-3 minutes until dissolved.
Stir in the cold water.
Poke holes in the cake - Using the back of a wooden spoon, poke holes into the cake about every ½ inch on the entire cake.
Pour the gelatin onto the cake - Carefully pour lime JELLO (gelatin) over the cake making sure to pour the gelatin into the holes.
Chill - Place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours to allow the Jello to set up.
Make the frosting - To frost, combine the thawed whipped topping with the vanilla pudding mix and stir until smooth.
Frost - Spread evenly over the cake and decorate with coordinating sprinkles.
RELATED: Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
Poke Cake Questions
Do I have to let the lime poke cake chill in the refrigerator?
Yes, you do need to allow the gelatin to set up by chilling the cake in the refrigerator. Otherwise, the gelatin will make the cake wet and soggy.
Can I use any flavor of Jello to make poke cake?
You sure can! This version is for lime poke cake but you can swap out the lime flavor for any flavor you wish. Simply follow the directions of the recipe and top with coordinating sprinkles or serve with fresh complimenting fruit.
What do you poke the cake with?
This lime poke cake and all poke cakes can be poked with the round end of a wooden spoon or with a fork. The idea is to poke the cake evenly and completely to allow the flavors of the gelatin to spread throughout the cake.
Keep the lime poke cake in the refrigerator for maximum freshness and flavor. It has gelatin so it will lose its firmness. For maximum freshness, eat within four days.
The white cake mix can be swapped out for other flavor cake mixes depending on the flavor JELLO that is used. The white cake mix is versatile but a different flavor cake mix may go better with your choice of JELLO gelatin.
Another delicious St. Patrick's Day dessert - Green Velvet Cupcakes
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📖 Recipe
Lime Poke Cake
This lime poke cake is easy to make and is a yummy spring dessert. This cake is also a fun green treat for St. Patrick's Day.
Ingredients
Lime Poke Cake
- 1 box white cake mix
- 3 egg whites, room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk
- 1 3.4 ounce box lime gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- !Whipped Cream Topping
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping
- 1 3.5 ounce box instant vanilla pudding mix
- Sprinkles, green or spring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and coat a 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
- Combine cake mix, eggs, milk, and oil until smooth.
- Spread evenly into the baking dish, and bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove and allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes.
- Combine lime gelatin and boiling water and stir for about 2-3 minutes until dissolved.
- Stir in the cold water.
- Using the end of a wooden spoon or tines of a fork, poke holes into the cake about every ½ inch on the entire cake
- Carefully pour lime Jello over the cake making sure to pour the gelatin into the holes.
- Place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours to allow the Jello to set up.
- To frost, combine the thawed whipped topping with the vanilla pudding mix and stir until smooth.
- Spread evenly over the cake and decorate with sprinkles of choice.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Swap out the lime gelatin for any flavor you want. Decorate with coordinating sprinkles or fruit.
Store in the refrigerator - the gelatin will cause the cake to get soggy otherwise.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 225Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 204mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 18gProtein: 3g
Nutrition calculation is a rough estimate and can vary depending on the cooking technique and the exact ingredients used. For informational purposes only.
Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
