Description
This Cherry Jello Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a soft, moist vanilla cake soaked with vibrant cherry gelatin and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. Every bite bursts with sweet cherry flavor balanced by creamy smoothness. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for holidays, birthdays, potlucks, and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz / 432g) vanilla or white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 package (3 oz / 85g) cherry gelatin (Jell-O)
- 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed
- Fresh cherries, maraschino cherries, or white chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, milk, and oil until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Pour batter into the dish and bake 28–32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cake 15 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about 1 inch (2–3 cm) apart.
- In a bowl, dissolve cherry gelatin in boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Stir in cold water.
- Slowly pour the gelatin mixture evenly over the cake, aiming into the holes so it soaks in.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours (or overnight) until fully chilled and set.
- For frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy and smooth.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time if needed for a spreadable texture.
- Spread frosting over the chilled cake. Garnish if you like. Slice and serve cold.
Notes
Chill time matters—at least 3 hours, but overnight gives the best flavor and cleanest slices. Keep the cake refrigerated because of the cream cheese frosting. Store covered for up to 4 days. For a twist, swap cherry gelatin for strawberry or raspberry. If your frosting feels too soft, chill it 10–15 minutes before spreading.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: B
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg