Jello Poke Cake Recipe
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Jello Poke Cake is a recipe we had pretty often as a child because it was so inexpensive and easy to throw together and DELICIOUS. Imagine a moist cake oozing with pudding in the middle. It is heaven.
Between three kids, sewing, babysitting and doing crafts for extra money, and cooking the kind of meals my mother served, Mama was BUSY! She still insisted on a dessert every night though so this was a good and faithful standby, just like her chocolate cobbler. She always let us help with the cooking and we loved to get to poke the holes for this cake. When we were done, it looked more like the victim of a random woodpecker attack but it tasted awesome!
Now on to POKE CAKE!
Recipe Ingredients:
- Cake mix and whatever it calls for
- A box of Jello for pudding and whatever it calls for.
- Also some confectioner’s sugar.
For more the more detail oriented: I am using a box of jiffy cake mix which requires an egg and some water. I am using a small box of Jello chocolate pudding (instant) and the milk that it calls for. If you are making a larger cake (mine is an 8×8), use the large box of pudding. I totally leave out the confectioner’s sugar because I prefer desserts that aren’t too sweet but I am picturing it here and including instructions for it in case y’all wanna include it.
Note: This will work with any cake mix or any cake recipe.
How To Make Poke Cake with Jello
Mix up your cake and bake it according to package directions.
I just put all of the rest of my ingredients for this Pudding Poke Cake Recipe in a Mason jar and give it a good shaking.
Confectioner’s Sugar is Optional
Now this is where most recipes call for confectioner’s sugar. If you are making an 8×8, you add 1/2 cup and if you are making a 9×13 you add a whole cup. Just stir it up with your pudding mix and then add it to the milk and give it a shake. I don’t add it though because I think this cake is just great without the added sweetness. Its totally up to you which way you wanna go!
When the cake comes out of the oven, while its still good and hot, poke holes all in the top of it. Mama says you need to use a wooden spoon handle to do this so the holes are nice and big. Cover the whole cake with holes
Perfect Part Where The Kids Can Help
I know I get on my soap boxes but if you have children, it really would thrill them to be able to help with this part. Kids get so much out of helping you cook. Confidence in themselves, praise from you for a job well done, pride in the finished dish and most importantly, wonderful memories of cooking with you. Don’t ever underestimate how much of an impact something as simple as cooking with your kids can have on their life. Confidence over making a Pudding Poke Cake today just could lead to having the confidence needed to get up in front of congress someday.
While it’s hot, pour half of the pudding over the cake.
Spread that over and let it sink in a bit. Once your cake cools, cover it with the rest of the pudding.
Put in the fridge and get good and cold before serving.
The options for this are limitless. Here are some I thought of and I hope you’ll chime in with your ideas, too!
- Chocolate cake with butterscotch pudding
- White or lemon cake with lemon pudding (mama’s fave)
- Strawberry cake with Cheesecake flavored pudding
- Here’s our Butterfinger Poe Cake too.
Ingredients
- 1 Box Cake mix of your choice
- 1 Box Instant pudding of your choice
- 1/2 Cup Confectioner's sugar (optional) or 1 cup for large cake
Instructions
- Prepare cake according to package directions. While still hot, poke holes all over top with end of wooden spoon. Mix pudding mix and confectioners sugar in a mason jar, add milk and shake or beat with mixer until thickened. Pour half over hot cake. Allow cake to cool. Spread remaining pudding over top and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
You may enjoy these pudding recipes as well:
Easy Homemade Banana Pudding with Meringue Topping
Vanilla Wafer Pudding Recipe With Pineapple
Chocolate Vanilla Wafer Pudding
Baked Rice Pudding Southern Style by Mama Reed
Organized people are just too lazy to look for things.
😂😂😂
Hey Christy! Thanks for the simple recipe, we’ll be getting the rest of the ingredients tonight! My son is 2.5 years now, and has been wanting to do a lot of pouring this week, so I’ll have him help me in the kitchen. He can help pour and poke the holes. He also likes getting the milk out of the fridge. I can’t wait, his first project in the kitchen!!
It always thrills me when I see one of your tutorials, and you have your children helping. YOU are the type of woman I want to be!
That looks so good. You know they have a pumpkin spice pudding around Thanksgiving time. That would be awesome with the vanilla cake!
And have a great birthday Bill!
It looks really good to me Christy! Thanks for posting this one. I’ll have to try it out!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL!!! <3
Happy Birthday Bill!
I think my kids will wonder what’s wrong with me if I let them poke holes in a cake, but we’ll definitely give it’s a try!
Well goodness…
That was too funny. Lemme tell yall a little sumpin.. Christy has become the sister I never had. Ok well I have a sister but she’s not near as nice.
Christy puts up with me and takes my constant harassment with stride. Cause harassment is what a brother is supposed to do to his sister if he’s worth anything. Believe me.. she’s gets in some pretty good zingers too.
I wish she was my real life blood sister but God put us together as quick as he saw fit.
Thank yall very much. This has been nice to see and made my day. Southern Plate has indeed got the best readers around. May God Bless and keep you in the small of his hand.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL. MINE WAS MAY 12, AND MY HUSBAND(BILL’S) IS THE 22ND. GREAT MAY!
GOD BLESS
Christy,
I want you to know I am headed for Idaho on Wednesday with quite a few recipes tucked into my suitcase for Grandma to make for the kids (and Mikey too). I am hoping they love the dishpan cookies as much as I do.
BILL!! What was all the fuss about…oh, you got older….but are you any wiser?? Guess that would depend on how old you are, huh. I’ll bet you’re getting there! LOL
A very happy birthday to you.