Easter Poke Cake Vanilla Gelatin (Printable)

Festive vanilla cake infused with strawberry and lemon gelatin, topped with whipped cream and pastel sprinkles for spring celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
02 - 1 cup water
03 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
04 - 3 large eggs

→ Gelatin

05 - 1 box (3 oz) strawberry gelatin
06 - 1 box (3 oz) lemon gelatin
07 - 2 cups boiling water, divided
08 - 2 cups cold water, divided

→ Topping

09 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
10 - 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Assorted pastel sprinkles or jelly beans (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
02 - Prepare vanilla cake batter according to package instructions using water, oil, and eggs. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
03 - Let cake cool for 15 minutes. Using a wooden spoon handle or skewer, poke holes evenly across entire cake, spacing about 1 inch apart.
04 - In two separate bowls, dissolve each gelatin flavor in 1 cup boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, then add 1 cup cold water to each bowl.
05 - Carefully pour or spoon gelatins into separate halves of cake, alternating colors for marbled effect if desired. Use all liquid.
06 - Cover and refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours, allowing gelatin to set completely.
07 - Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
08 - Spread whipped cream evenly over chilled cake. Decorate with pastel sprinkles or jelly beans if desired. Slice and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The surprise of bright fruity pockets hidden inside every bite makes people literally gasp
  • It comes together with store bought ingredients but tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen
02 -
  • The gelatin needs to cool slightly before pouring or it can make the cake texture weirdly gummy near the surface
  • Don't poke your holes while the cake is still hot or the gelatin will absorb too quickly and won't create those defined pockets
03 -
  • If your cake domes in the middle, level it with a serrated knife before poking holes so the gelatin distributes evenly
  • Room temperature gelatin absorbs faster than cold, so work quickly once you start pouring

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