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Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cupcakes

Strawberry Jello Poke Cupcakes are so simple to make and so yummy. Just some cake mix, strawberry jell-o and some whipped frosting!

A FUN AND PRETTY CUPCAKE RECIPE

I really like sharing fun and easy recipes like this next one for Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cupcakes. Raise your hand if you’ve heard of Poke Cakes. Chances are you have and you have eaten them in some form or other over the years. These cupcakes are a lot of fun to make. Your kids can help you and these are so much fun to take to a potluck or BBQ. Folks love them!

individual, strawberry jell-o poke cupcake shown on a round white plate.

TIPS FOR MAKING JELL-O POKE CAKES:

  • This can be made as a 9×13 cake!
  • You can use any combination of cake mix or jello flavor you like with these. You can use a vanilla or yellow cake mix. Orange Jell-O works well with these. Or try lemon cake mix with lemon Jell-O (one of my personal faves.) Also, for 4th of July celebrations, it might be fun to use a Berry Blue Jell-O as well.
Strawberry Jell-o Poke Cupcakes topped with whipped frosting and a fresh strawberry on a white plate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • white cake mix
  • ingredients required to make cake; egg whites, water and oil
  • strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
  • boiling water
  • whipped white frosting
white cake mix, whipped white frosting, strawberry jello and egg whites.

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY JELL-O POKE CUPCAKES:

Mix cupcakes as directed on the back of the box and bake as directed.  Allow cupcakes to cool completely. 

fully baked cupcakes in a cupcake pan.

Boil 1 cup water and add Jell-O, whisk until completely dissolved.

strawberry gelatin and boiling water mixed in a bowl

Poke holes in cupcakes with a fork or toothpick. Don’t be afraid to pick right down in there several times. You want plenty of holes for the Jell-O to seep into. Using a spoon, pour strawberry gelatin mixture over cupcake.

a dozen cupcakes that have been poked with strawberry jell-o in a pan

They are still a little naked. Now they need to go into the fridge for about 2-3 hours to set. Once set, frost cupcakes using whipped frosting. And if you like, top it off with fresh, sliced strawberries and enjoy!

several frosted cupcakes topped a slices of fresh strawberries on a wooden cutting board.

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Originally published: July 2011
Updated photos & republished: June 2019

Strawberry Jell-o poke cupcakes

Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cupcakes

Strawberry Jello Poke Cupcakes are so simple to make and so yummy. Just some cake mix, strawberry jell-o and some whipped frosting!
33 Reviews
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounce box white cake mix
  • ingredients required to make cake: egg whites, water and oil
  • 3 ounce box strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 container whipped white frosting

Instructions

  • Mix cupcakes as directed on the back of the box and bake as directed. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
  • Boil 1 cup water and add Jell-O, stir until completely dissolved.
  • Poke holes in cupcakes with fork or toothpick. Don't be afraid to pick right down in there several times. You want plenty of holes for the jell-o to seep into.
  • Using a spoon, pour strawberry gelatin mixture over cupcake.
  • Then put cupcakes into the fridge for about 2-3 hours to set.
  • Once set, frost cupcakes using whipped frosting.
  • Top it off with fresh, sliced strawberries.

Video

Youtube video

Notes

  • This same recipe can be used to make a  9×13-inch cake.
  • You can use any combination of cake mix or Jell-O) flavor you like with these. Orange Jell-O works well with these. Also, for 4th of July celebrations, it might be fun to use a Berry Blue Jell-O.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 382mg | Sugar: 36g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




56 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious! Do you have recipes of cupcake which does not need to be baked? Like cook it using a steamer or a microwave oven?

  2. Curious about the serving size. Yours say 12 but the back of my cake box says It makes 24. I don’t need to double the recipe then?

  3. 5 stars
    I love the jello kind…I use white cake mux..raspberry jello..and cool whip instead of frosting…a wonderful cool dessert in the summet!!!

  4. 5 stars
    I love jello cakes, my favorite is chocolate cake and orange jello. Also I use a pudding and dreamwhip icing so good!!!!

  5. 5 stars
    We make these in the summer but instead of frosting we used Cool Whip and then top with slice of fruit. Get it ice cold in the fridge and serve on hot day….yummy and lite…not too heavy on the tummy.

  6. 5 stars
    I love ur recipes and they way u present them, I used to love to cook, but for the past few years i have dreaded it, U are making it enjoyable for me again. Thank You!!!

  7. I've done this but I use strawberry frosting mixed with some thawed out cool whip for the frosting!! so awesome strait out of the fridge!

  8. Could you try this with pudding? I know they have poke cakes with pudding, but do you think it would work with pudding and cupcakes? Thanks

  9. 5 stars
    Have been making strawberry Jello "poke" cake since back in the day that they had "1,2,3 Jello" – anyone remember that? Anyway, I learned to make it with a can of strawberry pie filling spread over the top of the Jello and cake (once it is set up) and then top it with Cool Whip frosting. Yum!

  10. I am in the process of making these. 🙂 I am bummed though because I bought the larger sized jello since I couldn't see the picture clearly to see that it was only the 4oz size. Might want to add that to the ingredient list since there are varying sizes. Excited to dive into these later after dinner.

  11. 5 stars
    Thanks for posting this! I remember making a "rainbow poke cake" when I was a little girl. A 9×11 pan, several color jellos and cool whip topping. I tried looking this recipe up several years ago, and could not find it. This is awesome….it is as easy as I remember!

  12. 5 stars
    I just came across your blog today, and I am drooling! Everything looks amazing! But I think that this needs to be the first thing I try! Now I'm your newest follower, and I'm thinking my husband is going to thank you! 🙂

  13. I swear I grew up eating poke cakes. In highschool it was a favorite dessert of us kids in the lunchroom. Thanks for posting. I haven't made it in years!! Love your site.

    1. What brand of whipped frosting are you using? Are you using Cool Whip? Would like to make these. Thank you for your help.

      1. Thank you for the quick response and the information. Was using my phone and missed the picture. Looking forward to making these cupcakes. Thanks again.

  14. Hi there I love making these and the cake form, Have you ever tried using Whip Topping for the icing?
    Sooo good! Glad I found your blog!

  15. Look at you!! Those look so cute! Very unique and definitely love the colors. There is always room for Jell-O right?

  16. These cupcakes look and sound so moist and delicious! Please link your recipe up at Muffin and Cupcake Monday! Thanks!

  17. 5 stars
    Brandie, thank you for this! We made strawberry, orange and lemon for a bake sale. Our table sold out first!!

  18. 5 stars
    Brandie – you're brilliant: poke cakes. Haven't heard of them before but now you've enlightened me. Love how you've transformed them like this. Each time I'm on Facebook and "poke" will be thinking of you!

  19. 5 stars
    I just made a poke cake for a woman's group the other day. And then I wondered if I could do cupcakes. I couldn't think of how to get the jello on the cupcakes directly without making a mess. A SPOON! Duh! Thank you so much. I can't wait to try it.

  20. 5 stars
    I love poke cake but haven't had it in ages. I like your idea of using red and blue jello- that would be really cute! 🙂

  21. They look so pretty. I do a version of this with chocolate pudding used in the poke holes. One of my childrens faves.

  22. I've never met poke cake before, so thank you for the introduction! These are so darn stinkin cute!

  23. 5 stars
    I never made Poke cupcakes, only the cake. they are so much fun to make, and eat! thanks for the memories. I might just have to try the poke cupcakes.

    Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

  24. 5 stars
    Oh, this reminds me of my mom! We loved this when I was growing up…and I bet my kids would, too.

    Brandie, can I blame you for my tightening waistband??? LOL.

  25. Happy 4th of July Weekend! I have made the cake version many times but for the life of me have no idea why i have never done a cute little cupcake.

  26. Haven't had 'poke cake' in years. I think I have a recipe for a homemade cake for these. But your strawberries on top are the perfect adornment.

  27. 5 stars
    Sooo cute!! I love jello cake. Never thought to do it in cupcake form! These are perfect for the 4th!

  28. 5 stars
    I haven't had poke cake in such a long time! I just love the combination of flavors you can do with it! Thanks for the reminder!

  29. Brandie, Thanks a bunch for the introduction. Until now, poke cakes have escaped me through the years. Not only are these fun, but they're festive. From my vantage point, convenience rocks – you know I've said it before, "Box mix takes the ache out of cake!" You-n-yours be sure to have a safe, fun-filled July 4 holiday!

  30. I have never heard of these before but want one now in the worst way. I love jello desserts and this looks delicious. Yummy!

  31. Thank you everyone! Such a fun recipe and so many combinations! Tracey, that is a great idea!! Your Momma is so creative :o)

  32. I'm raising my hand! I've had a poke cake as my birthday cake as long back as I can remember … and to this day (I'm 40), I still have my mom make me that cake each year. She uses a vanilla/chocolate marble cake mix with the strawberry Jello, so it's basically a Neopolitan. Yum!

    1. 5 stars
      I use yellow or lemon cake with Lime jello and then add a lemon pudding to the Dream Whipped topping together for a very light and fluffy cake. I only use half the milk for the Dream Whip Topping and pudding combined. Makes it wonderfully thick and light,