This easy to make unicorn poke cake is just the thing for unicorn lovers! Rich, moist, and delicious. This unicorn cake takes classic poke cake and elevates it!
Jello Poke Cake
My daughter loves all things unicorn. It’s been a pretty big obsession in our house right now. From bedroom decorations to clothing, it is all about unicorns! And I know we are probably not alone in that. That’s why I’m sharing this amazing unicorn poke cake recipe to make all the unicorn lovers smile!
Jello poke cakes are truly one of the most indulgent desserts around. The moisture and fruity flavor from the jello is the perfect match for the sweetness of the cake and whipped cream. And the best part: they are so versatile! From Oreo poke cake to rainbow poke cake, there is really no limit to the different variations of this classic dessert!
Unicorn Poke Cake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Cool Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 1 9×13 inch cake
Servings: 28 slices
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 4 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 – 3 oz package strawberry jello mix
- 1 – 3 oz package grape jello mix
- 1 – 3 oz package blue raspberry jello mix
- 1 – 8 oz package Cool Whip
- Sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Unicorn Poke Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
- Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, make cake batter by combining cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Pour batter into the baking dish and back for 25 minutes. You will know your cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to fully cool. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake (about an inch apart). Set cake aside.
- In three small bowls, combine each of the jello packages with 1 cup boiling water. Wisk each together until jello is dissolved.
- Using a Tablespoon, pour jello mixture into the holes in the cake. Alternate colors however you’d like until each hole is filled. Note: You will not use ALL of the jello.
- Store the cake in the fridge and let it cool for 2 hours.
- Spread Cool Whip over the cooled cake and top with colorful sprinkles before serving.
Tips Tricks and FAQs
- For an extra airy and fluffy cake, use a hand mixer to mix batter on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Want to add even more color to this already beautiful cake? Dye the Cool Whip with food coloring!
- Don’t rush the chilling process! Rushing it will result in soggy cake – and nobody wants that! If you MUST hurry through the chilling process, you may put it in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes. This is not recommended though because you may end up with a frozen cake.
- For an even richer cake, replace the oil with softened butter and the water with milk! Nobody will believe that you used a boxed cake mix!
- Change it up with the flavors! Try using different flavors of cake mixes and mix up the jello flavors to fit your preference. There is no limit to the number of amazing combinations you could create!
Storage
Store your poke cake in an airtight container in the fridge. When stored correctly, this cake should keep for up to 3 days.
How Can I Make the Colors More Vibrant?
Sometimes the colors from the jello aren’t exactly what you want. Feel free to add some gel food coloring to the jello mixtures before you put them in the cake for even brighter colors!
can I change the flavors of poke cakes?
Yes! Any pudding or jello flavor makes a fantastic poke cake! Try these poke cakes flavors to get started!
Love what you see? Leave a comment and don’t forget to rate it below! We always love knowing how your recipe turns out! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @micheletripple to show me your finished product!
Love cake? Try these other delicious recipes!
Unicorn Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 4 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 - 3 oz package strawberry jello mix
- 1 - 3 oz package grape jello mix
- 1 - 3 oz package blue raspberry jello mix
- 1 - 8 oz package Cool Whip
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
- Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, make cake batter by combining cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined. - Pour batter into the baking dish and back for 25 minutes. You will know your cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to fully cool. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake (about an inch apart). Set cake aside.
- In three small bowls, combine each of the jello packages with 1 cup boiling water.
- Wisk each together until jello is dissolved.
- Using a Tablespoon, pour jello mixture into the holes in the cake. Alternate colors however you’d like until each hole is filled. Note: You will not use ALL of the jello.
Store the cake in the fridge and let it cool for 2 hours. - Spread Cool Whip over the cooled cake and top with colorful sprinkles before serving.
Notes
- For an extra airy and fluffy cake, use a hand mixer to mix batter on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Want to add even more color to this already beautiful cake? Dye the Cool Whip with food coloring!
- Don’t rush the chilling process! Rushing it will result in a soggy cake - and nobody wants that! If you MUST hurry through the chilling process, you may put it in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes. This is not recommended though because you may end up with a frozen cake.
- For an even richer cake, replace the oil with softened butter and the water with milk! Nobody will believe that you used a boxed cake mix!
- Change it up with the flavors! Try using different flavors of cake mixes and mix up the jello flavors to fit your preference. There is no limit to the number of amazing combinations you could create!
I haven’t made a poke cake in years! This would be a fun project to do with my daughter.
this looks so pretty and oh so delish!!will try it out soon.
I would love to try this at home.
What a cute idea! I love the pastel colors. Thanks for sharing this – I would love to do this with my girls.
It looks easy to do. I love the idea!
This looks so yummy! it would be a good one to try to make for my sons birthday!
This looks so yummy. I’ll have to make it for my daughter soon.
We LOVE poke cakes! This one looks like so much fun! I’m gonna make this for my daughters birthday this year.
Totally need to make this for my daughters birthday. Pinning for later
This looks fantastic, and it looks like a blast to make! I will have to make it with my kids.
That looks so aesthetically pleasing and I love that it’s easy to bake! This is a perfect gift for my niece as she loved everything unicorn lol thank you for sharing your recipe!
Oh my goodness, this Unicorn Poke Cake is so pretty and looks really delicious. I am going to make this with my daughter and I am sure she will having fun making this. Thanks for sharing!
OMG adorable! I had a unicorn birthday party for my daughter, but she was only turning one…so let’s just be honest, the theme was more for me. :)- Love this cake!!