Name: Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15 oz) box white cake mix; 1 (6 oz) box strawberry jello; 1 (6 oz) box lime jello; 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix; Ingredients called for on cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, water — usually 3 eggs, 1/3 cup oil, 1 cup water estimated); 2 cups boiling water; 1 cup milk; 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed; Red and green sprinkles or decorations

Nothing says celebration quite like a burst of color and flavor, and this Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe delivers just that. With juicy strawberry and zesty lime swirls soaking right into a soft cake, it’s a treat that feels like sunshine on your dessert plate.

A square slice of cake with two visible layers sits on a white plate over a red and white striped cloth, set against a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is thick with a light, fluffy texture, showing a color mix of green on the left and red on the right with small holes throughout. The top layer is a smooth, creamy white frosting, evenly spread and topped with small red and green round sprinkles. The background is softly blurred to emphasize the cake in the front. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Let me tell you, this cake quickly became a favorite in my kitchen because it’s as fun to make as it is to eat. The poke technique transforms a simple box cake into something festive and flavorful that pleases a crowd—perfect for holiday parties or anytime you want to brighten the dessert table.

Vibrant Flavors: The combination of strawberry and lime gelatin infuses the cake with fresh, fruity bursts, making each bite lively and refreshing.
Easy Prep: Using a cake mix and instant pudding means this recipe comes together quickly, even for busy schedules.
Impressive Look: The bright red and green gelatin colors make the cake truly festive—it's a showstopper without extra fuss.
Customizable: You can tweak flavors or toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing the magic of the poke cake method.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients team up to create layers of flavor and texture that make this Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe shine. Each element has its role, and knowing why helps you shop smart and even experiment confidently.

Flat lay of a small pile of fine white granulated sugar, a pristine white ceramic bowl with bright red strawberry gelatin powder, another white ceramic bowl with vibrant green lime gelatin powder, a whole uncracked brown egg, a small mound of smooth white vanilla instant pudding powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh cold milk, a small white ceramic bowl containing fluffy thawed whipped cream, and a scattering of shiny red and green sprinkles artfully collected on a white ceramic plate, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly arranged in symmetrical balance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: The neutral, tender crumb of a white cake lets the strawberry and lime flavors pop without competing.
Strawberry jello: Adds natural sweetness and a playful red color that soaks deliciously into the cake.
Lime jello: Offers a lively citrus contrast, balancing the sweet strawberry with a tangy twist.
Boiling water: Essential for dissolving the gelatin quickly for an even soak.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Creates a creamy, rich layer that adds moisture and a velvety finish.
Milk: Helps the pudding set perfectly without being too thick or runny.
Frozen whipped topping: Lightens the pudding mix for a fluffy, cloud-like texture.
Red and green sprinkles: Give the final festive sparkle that makes this cake pop visually on your holiday table.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up the flavors or toppings to keep this Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe feeling fresh. The poking method lets you infuse all sorts of jello or pudding combos to match your mood or season.

Variation: One time, I swapped lime jello for lemon and added fresh blueberries on top; it turned out so zesty and pretty.
Dietary tweaks: Using sugar-free gelatin works well here if you want a lighter option without sacrificing flavor.
Seasonal swaps: Try orange and cranberry jellies for a fall or winter twist that tastes just as festive.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe

The image shows a rectangular baked dessert with a checkered pattern on top, consisting of alternating red and green squares. The crust is golden brown and slightly textured, with small perforations running across the surface in a grid-like manner. The red and green colors are vibrant and glossy, creating a festive appearance. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Bake the Cake Base

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (or follow the cake mix package instructions). I like to grease my 9x13-inch pan with butter for extra flavor and make sure the cake slides out easily later. Mix the white cake mix according to the box directions—don’t rush the mixing to get a smooth batter—and bake it until it's golden and a toothpick comes out clean, usually about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Poke and Prepare Your Jello

When the cake is still warm but not hot, grab a fork or the handle end of a wooden spoon and poke holes about every inch across the surface. This step is what makes the magic happen, so don't skip it! These holes let the strawberry and lime jello seep down and flavor the cake from the inside out.

Meanwhile, dissolve each box of jello in a cup of boiling water separately. Stir until fully dissolved—no lumps! Then, pour the jellos in alternating rows right over the cake, letting them slip into the holes you made. You might not pour out all the liquid, which is okay—just enough that the cake soaks up a good amount.

Step 3: Chill and Top

Pop the cake in the fridge for about 15 minutes to let the jello set a bit. While it chills, whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with milk until it starts to thicken, then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping to keep it light and fluffy. Once your cake is cool and jello is set, spread the pudding topping evenly on the surface.

Step 4: Chill Again and Decorate

Return the cake to the fridge for at least two hours so all the layers meld beautifully. Just before serving, sprinkle your favorite red and green decorations or sprinkles on top for that extra festive flair. And voila—you've got a colorful, flavorful, crowd-pleasing dessert ready to enjoy!

Top Tip

This is one of those recipes where a few simple tricks really make a difference. From choosing the right size holes for your poke tool to how you layer the jello, these tips can boost your success and flavor every time.

Perfect Poking: Use the handle end of a wooden spoon instead of a fork for consistently sized holes that let the jello seep evenly.
Jello Pouring: Pour the gelatin slowly and in rows, so it soaks where you want instead of pooling unevenly.
Whipped Folding: Gently fold the whipped topping into the pudding mix to keep it airy and avoid deflating the mixture.
Chilling Patience: Don’t rush the chilling steps—this cake tastes best when flavors blend completely after a couple of hours in the fridge.

How to Serve Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe

Festive Strawberry Lime Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple – just red and green sprinkles to echo the holiday vibe. But sometimes, I add fresh sliced strawberries or thin lime zest curls on top for an extra pop of freshness and texture. It’s a lovely way to make the cake feel like it’s bursting with real fruit.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with light sides like a crisp green salad or a citrusy fruit salad to balance the richness. For holiday spreads, I like serving it alongside gingerbread or shortbread cookies for a charming mix of flavors and textures.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation-wise, I’ve layered slices of this poke cake in clear glass trifle bowls for parties—it’s stunning to see the red and green layers gleaming through. Another fun idea is cutting the cake into bite-sized squares and placing them on festive platters with mini forks for easy serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe covered tightly in the fridge—this keeps it moist and fresh for about 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit overnight, so it can taste even better the next day.

Freezing

Freezing this cake is a bit tricky because of the gelatin topping; I recommend freezing only the un-frosted cake if necessary. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight before adding your jello and pudding layers fresh.

Reheating

This cake is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t ideal. If you want to bring it to room temperature, just take it out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before serving to avoid losing the silky texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cake flavor for the Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! White cake works best for the vibrant color contrast, but a yellow or vanilla cake mix will also taste great. Avoid really dark chocolate cakes as they can mute the jello colors and flavors.

Can I make this poke cake gluten-free?

Yes, if you use a gluten-free white cake mix, this recipe still works perfectly. Just double-check the pudding and gelatin ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free as well.

How do I prevent the jello from pooling unevenly?

Make sure to poke even-sized holes using a spoon handle or fork spaced about an inch apart. Pour the jello slowly and in rows so it soaks into the holes rather than pooling in one spot.

Can I prepare this cake a day ahead?

Definitely. In fact, the flavors deepen beautifully when it rests overnight in the fridge. Just be sure to keep it well-covered to prevent it from absorbing fridge odors.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe has been a game-changer for me during holiday seasons and casual get-togethers alike. It’s one of those desserts that looks like you spent hours on it but comes together effortlessly. I hope you’ll find the same joy and ease making it as I do—feel free to make it your own, share it with loved ones, and watch it disappear fast!