Memorial Day Red White Blue (Printable)

Festive red, white and blue poke cake layered with strawberry and blue gelatin and whipped topping.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cake

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
02 - 1 cup water
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 3 large eggs

→ Gelatin

05 - 1 package (3 oz) strawberry or cherry-flavored gelatin
06 - 1 package (3 oz) berry blue gelatin
07 - 2 cups boiling water, divided
08 - 2 cups cold water, divided

→ Topping

09 - 1 tub (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
10 - 2 tablespoons red, white, and blue sprinkles or nonpareils
11 - Fresh strawberries and blueberries for garnish (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Prepare the white cake mix according to package directions using 1 cup water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 3 large eggs; mix until smooth.
03 - Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes.
04 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes across the top of the warm cake approximately 1 inch apart, reaching near the bottom but not through the pan.
05 - In two separate bowls, dissolve each 3 oz gelatin package: add 1 cup boiling water to one packet, stir until dissolved, then stir in 1/2 cup cold water; repeat with the other flavor.
06 - Carefully pour the red gelatin into half of the holes and the blue gelatin into the remaining holes, allowing liquid to sink into the cake; refrigerate at least 2 hours until set.
07 - Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake, then scatter sprinkles and arrange fresh strawberries and blueberries if desired.
08 - Slice the cake into 12 equal portions and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Here&aposs a dessert that looks like you fussed, but is secretly the easiest thing to throw together, even amid holiday chaos.
  • The bursts of fruity gelatin make every forkful a gentle surprise—no one can resist those bright pops of color.
02 -
  • If you don&apost let the cake cool enough before pouring the gelatin, the colors will bleed and blend into a purple mess—learned that one the hard way.
  • Chilling the cake long enough after adding the gelatin makes all the difference between stunning stripes and gloopy sections.
03 -
  • Poke deeper holes for the boldest stripes—just don&apost poke all the way through to the bottom.
  • Let the gelatin cool for a minute before pouring; too hot and it melts the cake, too cold and it won't seep in properly.
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