If you want to make a classic Jell-O cake from the 1970’s, you have found your recipe! This is how you make a Jell-O poke cake. It’s the kind of cake that you poke holes into with a fork then pour the Jell-O over the top. The Jell-O seeps down into the cake and when you cut into the cake, you will see the delightful, and flavorful, lines of colorful Jell-O.
To make a Jell-O cake, you will need a box of cake mix that will make two layers (but you will be making only one layer). Buy a light colored cake mix like white or yellow. You can also buy flavors if you want, but the Jell-O lines won’t show up as well. But if it’s flavor you are going for, buy any flavor cake mix that you want!
You will also need a box of Jell-O. Again, you can buy any flavor you want. You can buy a Jell-O flavor that matches your cake mix (like strawberry Jell-O and strawberry cake) or you can buy Jell-O that will put a spin on your cake (like lemon cake and orange Jell-O). If you are going for a certain color, then buy whatever color Jell-O you need.
The other ingredients you need are 4 eggs, 1/3 cup oil, 1 cup of cold water, 1 cup of boiling water, and your favorite whipped topping.
Pour the cake mix into a large bowl and add the 4 eggs, the 1/3 cup of oil and 1 cup of cold water. Beat for the amount of time as directed on the box. Pour the batter into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch pan and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 40 to 45 minutes. Then remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan. Do not remove the cake from the pan.
When the cake is cool, poke holes all over the top with a fork. You can space the rows of holes about 1/2 inch to 1 inch apart. You do not have to poke with perfection. Just poke a bunch of holes and don’t forget to get into the corners of the cake too.
Boil some water then measure out 1 cup of boiling water into a bowl. Add the package of Jell-O and stir until the Jell-O is dissolved. Then pour the Jell-O evenly over the entire top of the cake and let is soak through. You can spoon the Jell-O onto the cake if you want. If you just pour from the bowl, it’s likely that you’ll run out of Jell-O before you cover the entire cake.
Once all the Jell-O is poured over the cake, put the cake in the refrigerator until the Jell-O has had time to firm up, usually 2 to 4 hours. Then you can spread the top of the cake with whipped topping, or you can cut the cake and spoon whipped topping on each individual piece of cake. Store any remaining cake in the refrigerator.
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