Easter Poke Cake Vanilla Gelatin (Printable)

Moist vanilla cake poked with fruity gelatin layers and topped with whipped cream for a festive spring treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Base

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
02 - 1 cup water
03 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
04 - 3 large eggs

→ Gelatin Infusion

05 - 1 box (3 oz) strawberry gelatin
06 - 1 box (3 oz) lemon gelatin
07 - 2 cups boiling water, divided
08 - 2 cups cold water, divided

→ Whipped Cream Topping

09 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
10 - 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Assorted pastel sprinkles or jelly beans (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Combine vanilla cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Beat according to package directions until smooth. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
03 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 15 minutes.
04 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer, poke holes evenly across entire surface of cake, spacing about 1 inch apart.
05 - In two separate bowls, dissolve strawberry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water and lemon gelatin in remaining 1 cup boiling water. Stir each until completely dissolved, then add 1 cup cold water to each bowl.
06 - Carefully pour strawberry gelatin over one half of cake and lemon gelatin over other half. Gently spoon into holes as needed to ensure even absorption.
07 - Cover pan with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until gelatin is completely set.
08 - In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
09 - Spread whipped cream evenly over chilled cake. Decorate with pastel sprinkles or jelly beans if desired. Serve cold.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrasting textures of creamy whipped topping and jiggly gelatin pockets make every bite exciting
  • You can customize the colors for any holiday by simply swapping gelatin flavors
02 -
  • The timing on poking holes is crucial, too soon and the cake collapses, too late and the gelatin does not soak in properly
  • Letting the gelatin cool slightly before pouring prevents it from making the cake soggy
03 -
  • Use the handle of a wooden spoon instead of a fork for wider holes that absorb more gelatin
  • Chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream for faster, stiffer peaks

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