Cherry Poke Cake is a summer dessert that can be easily made with a box of Jell-O mix. It’s a terrific way to upgrade an ordinary white cake.
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Why this Cherry Poke Cake Recipe is a Keeper
This delicious cake recipe is an effortless way to make your new favorite dessert! Filled with cherry Jello mixture and topped with whipped cream and cherries, this easy cherry cake is both decadent and simple. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this delicious cherry dessert recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: This cake starts with cherry Jell-O and a box of cake mix. All of the ingredients can likely be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Family Friendly: This cake is great for birthdays, potlucks, and other celebrations.
- Adaptable: Top the cake with whatever you’d like, or use different flavors of Jell-O to make something magical.
If you’re looking for more popular recipes that are easy and similar to this one, try these: Carrot Poke Cake, Snickers Poke Cake, and Lemon Meringue Poke Cake.
How Many Holes Should I Poke in the Cake?
This cake is a poke cake, which means it’s made by poking holes into it, which are filled with Jell-O or pudding mix. Poke the holes about 1/2 inch apart from each other until the cake is covered. To avoid holes that are too large or small, use something uniform to poke the holes all over the cake, like the bottom of a wooden spoon.
Cherry Cake Ingredient Notes
- White Cake: This deliciously easy cake is made with cake mix. Use a white cake mix or make your own from scratch.
- Cherry Jell-O: Use a box of cherry Jello or pudding mix to flavor the cake.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Variations and Substitutions for this Easy Cherry Cake
- Cake Mix: You can use assorted flavors of cake mix, such as chocolate or cherry.
- Cherries: You can top this delicious dessert with fresh cherries or chopped cherries instead of maraschino cherries. Additionally, you can even flavor it with leftover maraschino cherry juice or almond extract.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Cherry Cake
- Stand Mixer: Use a stand mixer to easily combine the ingredients.
- Wooden Spoon: The end of a wooden spoon will help make uniform-sized holes when you poke the cake to add the cherry flavor. You can also use a fork or wooden skewer
Pro Tip
Top your poke cake with crushed candies or cookies for added texture and a playful touch. Use chopped Oreos for a chocolate cake with a vanilla filling or chopped Reese’s Pieces for a peanut butter and chocolate combination.
How to Make Cherry Poke Cake
These are the basic steps for making cherry poke cake. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Prepare the Cake According to Package Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Mix Cake Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, prepare the boxed cake mix according to package directions. Bake the cake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
3. Poke Holes in Cake and Let Cool
Remove the cake from the oven. Then, cool cake for 5-10 minutes. Poke holes all over the top of the cake every ½ inch or so, using a wooden skewer stick, handle of a wooden spoon, or large fork after you let the cake cool completely.
4. Pour in Jell-O Mix
Prepare the cherry gelatin mix by bringing 1 cup of water to a boil and stirring in the box of Jello mix until dissolved. Stir in another 1 cup of water and whisk for 3 minutes. Then, slowly pour the prepared liquid over the cake, allowing it to absorb into the holes.
5. Refrigerate and Serve
Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving. Once the cake is ready, add cool whip whipped topping and maraschino cherries to the top of the cake.
FAQs for this Popular Recipe for White Cake
Expert Tips for Making Cherry Poke Cake
- Beyond Jello: Get creative with your fillings! Puddings, sweetened condensed milk mixed with fruit juices, canned cherry pie filling, or even melted ice cream can be used for this Cherry Poke Cake.
- Cool Filling: Hot filling can make the cake soggy. Let it cool slightly before pouring it over the cake.
- Toppings: Make a cream cheese icing, use powdered sugar or even hot fudge. This cake recipe is an easy and delicious dessert for a pot luck.
What to Serve with Cherry Poke Cake
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Cherry Poke Cake
Equipment
- Large Bowl or Stand Mixer
- Silicone Spatula
- 9×13 Cake Pan
- Skewer Sticks, Large Fork, or Wooden Spoon
- medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 13.25 ounces White Cake Mix, 1 box plus ingredients listed
- 3 ounces Cherry Jello Mix, 1 box
- 1 cup Boiling Water
- 1 cup Cold Water
- 8 ounces Whipped Topping
- 12 Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites for 3 minutes.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven, and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Poke holes all over the cake every ½ inch or so, using a skewer stick or large fork.
- Prepare the Jell-O by bringing 1 cup of water to a boil, and stirring in the gelatin until dissolved. Stir in another 1 cup of water, and whisk for 3 minutes.
- Slowly pour the prepared liquid over the cake, allowing it to absorb into the holes.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours. To serve, top with whipped topping and maraschino cherries.
Expert Tips
- Beyond Jello: Get creative with your fillings! Puddings, sweetened condensed milk mixed with fruit juices, or even melted ice cream can be used.
- Cool Filling: Hot filling can make the cake soggy. Let it cool slightly before pouring it over the cake.