Creamy Orange Creamsicle Jello Poke Cake
A nostalgic and refreshing poke cake featuring a moist yellow cake infused with orange gelatin and topped with a light, airy whipped frosting. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to customize for dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz / 432 g)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (80 ml)
- 1 (3 oz / 85 g) package orange gelatin (orange Jello recommended)
- 1 cup boiling water (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup cold water (120 ml)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (240 ml), chilled (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (30 g), sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, 1 cup water, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking; look for a light golden color on the edges.
- Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Using a skewer or toothpick, poke holes all over the surface about 1 inch apart.
- In a medium bowl, dissolve the orange gelatin powder in 1 cup boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water and mix well.
- Slowly pour the warm Jello over the cake, ensuring it fills the holes. Refrigerate the pan for at least 2 hours to allow the Jello to set fully.
- In a chilled bowl, beat 1 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Avoid overbeating.
- Spread the whipped frosting evenly over the chilled Jello cake. Optionally, pipe decorative swirls with a piping bag or offset spatula.
- Refrigerate the finished cake for another hour before serving to let flavors meld. Serve chilled.
Notes
If dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with chilled coconut cream and use vegan powdered sugar. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. Chill the bowl and cream before whipping for better results. Use a serrated knife wiped clean between cuts for neat slices. Let cake sit at room temperature 10 minutes before slicing if too firm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of c
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 3
Keywords: orange creamsicle, jello poke cake, creamy dessert, summer cake, easy poke cake, whipped frosting, nostalgic dessert