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Flavorful Stars and Stripes Poke Cake Recipe with Easy Vibrant Gelatin Layers

stars and stripes poke cake - featured image
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A festive and moist vanilla poke cake layered with sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese frosting, and vibrant red and blue gelatin layers, perfect for patriotic celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box vanilla cake mix (about 15.25 oz / 432 g)
  • Ingredients called for on cake mix box (usually eggs, vegetable oil, and water)
  • 1 can (14 oz / 396 g) sweetened condensed milk
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 package (3 oz / 85 g) red gelatin (cherry or strawberry flavor)
  • 1 package (3 oz / 85 g) blue gelatin (blue raspberry or berry blue flavor)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) boiling water (divided)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) cold water (divided)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan lightly.
  2. Prepare cake batter according to box instructions using eggs, oil, and water. Pour into pan and bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  3. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack (about 1 hour).
  4. Poke holes all over cake about 1 inch apart using a wooden skewer or spoon handle, deep enough to reach bottom but not through pan.
  5. Slowly drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over the poked cake, letting it seep into holes.
  6. Make cream cheese frosting by beating softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy.
  7. Spread frosting evenly over cake, covering all holes and milk.
  8. Dissolve red gelatin powder in 1 cup boiling water, stir until dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water and mix. Let cool about 10 minutes but not set.
  9. Pour red gelatin gently over frosted cake. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until gelatin is firm but not rock-hard.
  10. Repeat gelatin preparation with blue gelatin using same water measurements.
  11. Pour blue gelatin gently over red layer. Refrigerate another 30 minutes or until fully set.
  12. For clean slices, dip knife in hot water and wipe dry between cuts before serving.

Notes

Do not pour gelatin over warm cake to avoid sogginess. Pour gelatin when cooled slightly but still liquid. Use warm water on knife between cuts for clean slices. If gelatin sets before pouring, warm briefly in microwave and stir. Chill gelatin layers fully for distinct colors.

Nutrition

Keywords: poke cake, patriotic dessert, gelatin layers, Fourth of July dessert, vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting, festive cake

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/flavorful-stars-and-stripes-poke-cake-recipe-with-easy-vibrant-gelatin-layers/