By Kim Gehling    June 13, 2026

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This summer marks the 250th anniversary of America, and that seems like a pretty good reason to celebrate all season long. No matter what celebration you plan to attend, a festive dessert is always a welcome addition to the table.

I’ve never tried making a poke cake before, but I always thought they looked neat. As it turns out, they’re also surprisingly easy and fun to make. Watching the colorful gelatin soak into the cake and create bright patriotic streaks inside felt a little bit like a kitchen science experiment. I can definitely see myself making another poke cake in the future.

The flavor of a poke cake is wonderfully light, moist and refreshing. The gelatin adds extra sweetness and keeps the cake tender, while the whipped topping gives it a creamy finish. Fresh strawberries and blueberries add bursts of juicy flavor that pair perfectly with the vanilla cake underneath.

For this patriotic version, I used both red and blue gelatin to create the colorful effect. Alternating the colors as you pour them into the holes gives the cake its red, white, and blue appearance when sliced.

However you decide to celebrate America’s birthday this summer, this cake might fit right into your plans.

From our kitchen to yours — enjoy!

USA Cake

Serves 12

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 c. water
• ½ c. vegetable oil
• ½ (3 oz.) box strawberry gelatin
• ½ (3 oz.) box berry blue gelatin
• ½ c. boiling water
• ¼ c. cold water
• ½ c. boiling water
• ¼ c. cold water
• 8 oz. Cool Whip
• Fresh strawberries, rinsed, dried and sliced
• Fresh blueberries, rinsed and dried

Instructions

– Preheat oven to 350℉. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
–Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions using the eggs, water, and oil. Bake in the prepared dish and allow the cake to cool completely.
– Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a large drinking straw, poke holes evenly across the cake, being careful not to go all the way through.
–In one bowl, dissolve half the box of strawberry gelatin in ½ c. boiling water, then stir in ¼ c. cold water.
– In a separate bowl, dissolve half the box of berry blue gelatin in ½ c. boiling water, then stir in ¼ c. cold water.
– Slowly pour the red and blue gelatin mixtures into the holes, alternating colors across the cake for a patriotic effect.
– Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled and set.
–Spread the Cool Whip evenly over the top of the cake.
– Decorate with rows of fresh strawberries and blueberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

• Use the reduced water amounts listed above rather than the directions on the gelatin boxes, and only use half of each box. If you decide to only use one color, you can use the entire 3 oz. box.
• Avoid poking holes completely through the cake or the gelatin may leak to the bottom of the pan.
• Chill the cake thoroughly before adding the whipped topping.
• If making the cake ahead of time, wait until just before serving to add the fresh berries.