Change up that classic poke cake by making this Lemon Orange JELL-O poke cake! Such a light, refreshing dessert for any time of year!
Love easy jello recipes? Our strawberry jello pie is a fun, no bake treat packed with strawberry flavor! Or give our walking dessert recipes a try. So many fun options!
Why This Recipe is Best
Who doesn’t love a delicious refreshing cake at the end of the day?
Growing up my grandma always made JELL-O poke cakes. If you’ve never had one, you are in for a treat.
They are light and spongy, packed with sweet flavor and then topped with fluffy whipped cream.
And they are super easy to make!
- Just THREE ingredients needed for the whole dessert!
- Lemon cake mix and orange gelatin give this cake big citrus flavor
- Light, refreshing and perfect for a chilled dessert to enjoy
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Mix – I chose a store bought lemon cake mix, and any brand will do. Follow the directions on the box and bake in a 9×13 pan. You can also use a homemade lemon cake mix if you prefer.
- Gelatin – I picked an orange gelatin to mix the lemon and orange flavors for this dessert. You can do 1 or 2 gelatins, up to you!
- Boiling Water – We use boiling water to mix with the gelatin and dissolve it. Don’t add cold water!
- Cool Whip – This whipped topping is the perfect way to finish off the cake. Or you could use homemade whipped cream if you prefer.
Easy Instructions
Step 1. Bake the cake. Make the lemon cake mix according to package directions and bake in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cool completely.
Step 2. Poke the cake. Poke holes over the cooled cake using a fork or wooden spoon handle. Be sure to get all the way to the edges!
Step 3. Make the gelatin. In a small bowl, whisk the orange gelatin with boiling water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved then slowly pour the gelatin all over the cake, allowing it to fill the holes in the cake.
Step 4. Chill the cake. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Step 5. Decorate the cake. Top the cake with the Cool Whip whipped topping. You can also add some mandarin oranges to the top. Enjoy chilled!
Tips and Tricks
- Cake mix: White cakes work best for most Jello flavors. Today’s recipe used lemon cake which was perfect since I wanted a yellow tint to the cake and a citrus flavor.
- You could also swap the flavors and use an orange cake mix and a lemon Jello gelatin for this cake.
- You can use boxed cake mixes or from scratch cakes. Just be sure to bake them in a 9×13 and cool completely.
- Add pie filling or lemon curd to the top of your poke cake for more flavor and texture! This Lemon Poke Cake has a combination of lemon Jello and lemon curd. SO tasty!
- Refrigerate overnight. I like to bake the cake the day before and let it chill all night in the fridge. It tastes amazing cold!
- Wipe your knife after each cut to ensure a beautiful clean slice of cake!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Bake the cake mix according to package directions for 24 cupcakes. Poke the baked cupcakes with a fork all over the top, going about 3/4 of the way down into the cupcake. Spoon the gelatin over the tops of the cupcakes then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with Cool Whip and enjoy!
The cake should be kept, covered, in the refrigerator due to the gelatin in the cake. It’s best enjoyed within 3 days.
I use the tines of a fork or the point of a meat thermometer! The handle of a wooden spoon works perfectly too. Poke each hole about an inch deep.
More Poke Cake Recipes
Enjoy the fall Apple harvest with this flavorful Apple Pie Poke Cake. It’s the perfect summer to fall transition recipe!
Enjoy this light, refreshing Coconut Cream Poke Cake after dinner tonight! Perfect to bring to a potluck or BBQ this year!
This Grasshopper Poke Cake is super easy and over the top delicious. Just a few ingredients and boxed cake mix and you’ll be enjoying this for dessert today!
A delicious, easy summer cake recipe: Banana Split Poke Cake. Made with a white cake mix, banana pudding, fresh berries, pineapple and all the fixings. This will go fast at dessert, so make sure you get a big slice before it’s gone!
More Easy Dessert Recipes
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Lemon Orange JELL-O Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Lemon Cake Mix, prepared with ingredients 18.25 ounce
- 1 box JELL-O orange gelatin mix 3 ounce
- 1 cup water boiling
- 8 ounce Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Bake cake in a 13×9 baking dish, as directed on box. Cool completely.
- Poke holes over cooled cake using a fork.
- In a small bowl, mix gelatin with boiling water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour gelatin over cake slowly, allowing it to fill the holes in the cake. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight.
- Top with Cool Whip before serving. ENJOY!
Notes
- White Cakes work best for most Jello flavors. Today's recipe used lemon cake which was perfect since I wanted a yellow tint to the cake. But if you're making colors for a specific holiday, I would choose to use a white cake mix.
- You can use boxed cake mixes or from scratch cakes. Just be sure to bake them in a 13×9 and cool completely.
- Using pudding mix gives this poke cake a whole new flavor profile. For instance, this Coconut Pudding Cake started with a French Vanilla cake mix and is topped with creamy coconut pudding.
- Add pie filling or lemon curd to the top of your poke cake for more flavor and texture! This Lemon Poke Cake has a combination of lemon Jello and lemon curd. SO tasty!
- Wipe your knife after each cut to ensure a beautiful clean slice of cake!
- Can I make Poke Cupcakes? Yes! For cupcakes, bake according to your cake mix package directions for 24 cupcakes. Immediately after baking, poke with a fork all over the top (going about 3/4 way deep). Carefully spoon gelatin over the tops of the cupcakes. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Top with Cool Whip and enjoy!
Nutrition
Lemon Orange JELL-O Poke is an easy summer recipe bursting with citrus flavors!
The perfect cake for a hot summer day! So refreshing! Thank you!
What a fun play on tres leches!
I am in citrus heaven! This is so incredible!
This look so light and fluffy; will make the perfect dessert after dinner tonight! Delicious!
This was so delicious! I just love the combo of orange and lemon flavors in dessert!
http://goo.gl/5YBb8c
What a fun idea!! It looks a little like candy corn 🙂 I bet the flavor is incredible!
I ate a poke cake for the first time two years ago and I loved it! I tried making one and I don’t think it turned out so great, now I need to try this one! Love the flavors!
This cake screams spring and summer! Love the citrusy flavors and the JELL-O 🙂