How to Make a Festive Patriotic Poke Cake - An Irresistible Red, White, and Blue Dessert

This easy Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Poke Cake is a great addition to any 4th of July Celebration or summer picnic!

The beauty of a poke cake recipe is that it can be customized with different flavors and colors of gelatin. They are so easy to make (really), taste delicious, and are pretty, too.

If you're looking for more great summer dessert recipes, check these out: No Bake NILLA Wafer Cheesecakes, Classic Blueberry Pie, Air Fryer Strawberry Shortcake, Copycat McDonald's Mocha Frappe, and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The Ingredients:

Here's what you'll need to make this fun 4th of July poke cake as shown. Exact measurements and details are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• 1 package white cake mix prepared according to the directions on the box or package.
• 2 cups boiling water, divided
• 1 package (4 serving size) cherry gelatin. Jello is the normally used brand but I could not find cherry Jello at my local store so I used Starburst instead. The flavor was somewhat more intense but it was delicious!
• 1 package (4 serving size) blue-raspberry gelatin - as above, I couldn't find blue-raspberry Jello brand so I used the Starburst brand.
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese
• 2 jars (7 ounces each) marshmallow creme. I used Marshmallow Fluff because it was $$$ less expensive $$$ than other brands, came in a bigger container, and tastes amazing! And, there was enough left to make a few Fluffernutter sandwiches.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

How to Make a Patriotic Poke Cake - Red, White, and Blue

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool completely in pans on wire rack.

Once cakes are cool, poke holes ¾ of the way through each layer multiple times with the end of a wooden spoon or a wooden skewer.

Using a measuring cup, combine 1 cup boiling water and cherry gelatin in small bowl and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Repeat the same process for the blue-raspberry gelatin in a separate bowl.

Pour red gelatin over one cake layer and the raspberry blue gelatin over the other cake layer. Refrigerate at least 3 hours.

For Frosting:

Combine softened cream cheese, marshmallow creme, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl using an electric mixer at medium high speed until smooth and fluffy!

Unmold the blue-raspberry cake onto a large serving/cake plate. Spread with about 1 cup frosting.

Unmold the red cake and place it on top of the first cake layer.

Frost top and sides and decorate with patriotic sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. Store leftover cake in refrigerator.

This fun and delicious Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Poke Cake Serves 10 to 12 - Enjoy!

*You could also forgo the homemade frosting and use a whipped cream topping such as Cool Whip.

📖 Recipe

Updated May 3, 2021: Giveaway is closed and a winner has been selected! Thank you to everyone who entered.

This delicious dessert is my first summer recipe of 2021. To celebrate, I'm also hosting a giveaway for The Fresh Market Thermal from Thirty-One courtesy of Teri Perrott (a Thirty-One consultant).

The Fresh Market Thermal is great to have on hand for grocery store trips, picnics, and more. It's roomy, and so well insulated, that it will keep your perishable groceries cool while you're out and about running errands.

I haven't had the chance to use mine yet but I can't wait to take it to the beach or the park. My youngest son and I were impressed with how much you can fit in it and loaded it up with bottled water, our favorite flavors of La Croix, and some black tea. We had plenty of room left for ice, fresh fruit, and some egg salad sandwiches.