Can I use homemade cake instead of a mix?

Absolutely! My grandma’s vanilla cake recipe works beautifully here—just bake it in that trusty 9x13-inch pan. The key is making sure it’s completely cooled before adding the Jell-O, or you’ll end up with soggy spots.

How long does this flag poke cake keep in the fridge?

It stays fresh for 2-3 days when covered tightly. The berries might soften after day one, so I recommend adding them right before serving if you’re making it ahead.

What if I can’t find berry blue Jell-O?

No worries! Any blue flavor works—I’ve used blue raspberry in a pinch. The color matters more than the exact flavor since the cake itself provides most of the taste.

Can I freeze this red white blue Jell-O cake?

I don’t recommend it—the texture gets weird after thawing. But honestly, this cake disappears so fast at parties, freezing leftovers is rarely an issue!

4th of July Poke Cake A Stunning Patriotic Dessert in 3 Steps

Name: 4th of July Poke Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 4 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box); 1 cup boiling water; 1 cup cold water; 1 (3 oz) package red Jell-O; 1 (3 oz) package blue Jell-O; 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip; 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced; 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

4th of July Poke Cake

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A festive and easy-to-make cake with red and blue Jell-O streaks, topped with Cool Whip and berries to resemble the American flag.

Author: PureCookingJoy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes (includes chilling)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
1 (3 oz) package red Jell-O
1 (3 oz) package blue Jell-O
1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

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Instructions

Prepare and bake the white cake mix according to package instructions in a 9×13-inch pan. Let it cool completely.
Use a fork to poke holes evenly across the cake.
Dissolve the red Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Pour over half of the cake.
Repeat with the blue Jell-O, pouring it over the other half of the cake.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Spread Cool Whip over the top of the cake.
Arrange strawberries and blueberries in a flag pattern on top.
Serve chilled.

Notes

For a firmer texture, refrigerate the cake overnight.
Use fresh berries for the best flavor and presentation.
Substitute homemade whipped cream for Cool Whip if preferred.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 280
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 5mg

Find it online: https://purecookingjoy.com/4th-of-july-poke-cake-recipe/