Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake

5 from 18 votes
27 Comments

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Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake is a cold, refreshing treat! You’ll love this moist, tangy lemon and raspberry flavor with light pudding frosting.

Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake topped with lemon pudding frosting and fresh raspberries

Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake

Jell-O poke cakes are a fun and flavorful alternative to regular cake mix and frosting and I promise after you try this decadent raspberry lemon cake, you’ll want to try all the poke cake recipes! As a little girl, I could not get enough of the fresh raspberry and lemon flavor combination, and I would always stick around the kitchen when my mom was making it so I could be the first to get the bowl and spoon to lick the pudding. Now my kids do the same thing. This is a true family favorite!

Ingredients in Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake

  • Lemon Cake Mix
  • Water
  • Oil
  • Large Eggs
  • Raspberry Instant Jell-O Mix
  • Boiling Water
  • Ice Water
  • Lemon Instant Pudding
  • Milk
  • Fresh Raspberries
Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake topped with lemon pudding frosting and fresh raspberries


Baking Method and Tips

  • After baking a box cake mix in a pan, poke holes in the top of the cake with a wooden spoon handle. This is where the “poke” in jello poke cake comes from.
  • Drizzle raspberry jello liquid over the top. The mixture will fill up the holes, creating a flavorful and colorful marble effect in the cake.
  • Refrigerate the cake for at least two hours while you make the pudding topping.
  • Top the whole cake with instant Jello pudding. We like lemon flavor for this cake.
  • You will notice in the recipe, we use less milk than what is called for on the box directions. Using less milk makes the pudding thicker and it holds its consistency better when spread on the cake. It is also important to use 2% or whole milk. This also makes the pudding thicker and creamier.
  • Once you frost the cake, keep it in the fridge for at least another hour to set up. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake topped with lemon pudding frosting and fresh raspberries

Flavor Combinations

There are many variations on this Jello Poke Cake recipe that I have tried over the years. With all the combinations of cake, Jello gelatin and pudding flavors, the possibilities are endless! Try a few of these combos:

  • Strawberry Jello Poke Cake: use a vanilla or white cake mix with strawberry Jello and vanilla pudding mix. Top with fresh berries or fresh strawberries.
  • Chocolate Cherry Jello Poke Cake: use a chocolate cake mix, cherry Jello and a thick chocolate pudding for the frosting. It tastes just like a chocolate-covered cherry.
  • Blackberry Vanilla Jello Poke Cake: Jello recently came out with a blackberry fusion flavor. Start with a vanilla cake mix, then add Blackberry Fusion Jello, and top with vanilla pudding and fresh blackberries.
  • Lemon Lime Jello Poke Cake: use a lemon cake mix, lime jello, and lemon pudding mix.
  • Alternate topping: You can use cool whip or homemade whipped cream as a topping instead of pudding.
A cake with lemon frosting and raspberries

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to poke holes in a poke cake?

We like to use the handle of a wooden spoon. It is just the right size and shape for the right amount of jello to get in.

When did poke cakes become popular?

They became popular in the 1970s along with the rise in popularity of Jello.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover cake by covering the baking dish with plastic wrap, or transferring slices to an airtight container. Store in the fridge.

Read Next: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas (with Pictures + Simple Recipes)

More Simple Cake Recipes

Using a cake mix for a dessert makes preparation quick and easy, but you don’t have to settle for a basic cake. There are so many fun and fancy desserts that start with a cake mix, just like this Jello Poke Cake. These are some of our favorites.

How to Make Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake

Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake topped with lemon pudding frosting and fresh raspberries

Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake

5 from 18 votes
Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake is a cold, refreshing treat! You'll love this moist, tangy lemon and raspberry flavor with light pudding frosting.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Video

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch pan
  • Sauce pan
  • Hand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 box lemon cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 (3 ounce package) raspberry instant Jell-O mix
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup ice cold water
  • 2 (3.4 ounce package) lemon Jell-o instant pudding mixes
  • 3 cups milk 2% or whole
  • Fresh raspberries

Instructions

  • Mix cake mix, water, oil, and eggs well. Pour mix into a greased 9×13 pan and bake according to package directions. Let cake cool completely – about 1 hour. Level the top of the cake if desired. Using a fork, poke small holes all over the top of the cake.
    A lemon cake in a glass baking dish with the top leveled
  • Boil 1 cup water in a small saucepan and pour into a small bowl. Add raspberry Jell-o mix and stir with a whisk until Jell-o is completely dissolved. Add cold water and stir.
    Raspberry jello in a glass measuring cup
  • Pour raspberry Jell-o mixture over the cake. Run a knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the sides of the pan.
    Pouring raspberry jello mix over a cake
  • Refrigerate cake for 2 hours.
    Raspberry Lemon Jello Poke Cake
  • While cake is in the refrigerator, mix the lemon pudding mixes with 3 cups milk (2% or whole). Blend until pudding is completely dissolved. Refrigerate pudding for at least 1 hour.
    Lemon pudding in a glass measuring cup
  • Frost the cake with the pudding and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
    A cake frosted with lemon pudding
  • Garnish the cake with fresh raspberries just before serving.
    A cake with lemon frosting and raspberries

Nutrition Information

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 391mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 160IUCalcium: 168mgIron: 1.6mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This sounds like the perfect dessert especially for summer. So easy to change up to whatever flavor you want.

  2. When i made the cake, then took it out of the oven, it sunk down far in the middle, not sure what that means.

    1. I’m sorry your cake sunk. It may not have been cooked in the middle. Did you try testing it with a toothpick to see if it was done? It also may be due to oven temperature or altitude. If the cake was burning on the edges and not done in the middle, you will need to set your oven at a lower temperature. Better luck next time!

    1. You can also use strawberry, blackberry, cherry – really any flavor will work. I hope they haven’t stopped making raspberry though. They do sell it on Amazon still so hopefully grocery stores are still carrying it. It may be a seasonal flavor.

    1. Ellen, I’m not sure what you are asking. I have not used jelly in this recipe before, so I’m not sure how it would taste. If you are asking if you can use any Jell-O and instant pudding, the answer is yes. I have made this cake with multiple flavors. One of my favorite is a cherry chocolate cake. I used a chocolate cake mix with cherry jello and chocolate instant pudding for the frosting. It is delicious!

  3. 5 stars
    I made this for company and oh my what a hit. Now everytime I see my friends they want me to make it again and again. I must say it is delicious. Thank you!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this delicious cake over the weekend for my church friends and they raved over it and wanted the recipe. It was perfect for a hot summer day.