Orange Jello Poke Cake Recipe

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This orange jello poke cake recipe is sure to please your family as a delicious summer treat! It’s easy to make – and uses a boxed cake mix to make it simpler!

I haven’t had a poke cake in years, until recently. I used to have an aunt who lived next door who would make them for my cousin and I all the time. She made them in every variety – from strawberry to lime to orange! They were so delicious and one of my most vivid memories. I’ve been reminiscing a lot lately, and started longing for a good poke cake.

My son loves orange everything, so I thought for the first day of school, I’d make him an orange jello poke cake. I chose to use a yellow cake mix as my base because I love the flavor, but you could also use a white cake mix as well. (For serious orange flavor, you could do an orange box mix with the orange jello.) The beauty of the poke cake is that it is so versatile!

Supplies Needed to Make an Orange Poke Cake with Jello

• 13 x 9 Baking Pan – I think poke cakes work best in a long rectangular pan, so that is what I suggest you use.
• Whisk – So you can whisk your jello gelatin into your boiling water.
• Measuring Cup  
• Mixer – I always use my Kitchen Aid Mixer, but a hand mixer would do just fine with this recipe.
• Offset Spatula – To spread your frosting/topping. (Tip: I happen to have an offset spatula because I bake a lot. If you don’t, don’t panic! You can simply use a simple butter knife right out of your utensil drawer to spread it.) 

(Have you seen my list of basic kitchen supplies I suggest for the new cook?)

Cast of Characters

• Yellow Cake Mix (and the ingredients the box calls for)
• Boiling Water (1 cup)
• Cold Water (1 cup)
• 1 box of orange flavored Jello
• Cool Whip

Making your Poke Cake

• Make your cake according to the package directions. 
• Once the cake cools, pierce it several times so you can have it ready to pour in the jello. You can do this in several ways, with a fork, a wooden skewer, just whatever is available to you.
• Boil 1 cup of water, and add the gelatin to that and mix until it dissolves. Then add your 1 cup of cold water. Mix well.
• Slowly pour your liquid gelatin over your cake evenly and let it soak into the holes you’ve made. 
• Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours. (The longer it sits, the better. This cake seriously gets better with time.)
• Frost with a simple store bought cool whip topping to serve.

I serve mine without decoration because I like that it’s a simple dessert. However, you can decorate the slices with mandarin oranges on the top, orange sprinkles, or even those candy sugar orange slices!

Enjoy! Tastes just like a creamsicle!

Another Great Summer Dessert Post You May Enjoy: 

Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Dessert Recipe

Tell me your favorite flavor of poke cake! How do you decorate yours? What do you use for frosting?

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