Name: Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15 oz) box white cake mix; Ingredients called for on cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, water); 1 (6 oz) box strawberry jello; 1 (6 oz) box lime jello; 2 cups boiling water; 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix; 1 cup milk; 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed; Red and green sprinkles or decorations

Bright, zesty, and oh-so-fun, this Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe truly brings the holiday spirit to your table with juicy bursts of strawberry and lime flavors tucked inside a moist cake. Trust me, it’s a celebration in every bite!

The image shows a slice of festive cake held by a woman's hand, lifted from a white dish on a white marbled surface. The cake has two main layers: the bottom layer contains a soft, sponge-like texture with green and red coloring swirling through a pale yellow base, and the top layer is about half the thickness of the sponge layer, with smooth white frosting. The frosting is decorated with scattered red and green round sprinkles, along with tiny green and red sugar crystals, giving it a holiday look. The larger dish behind holds the rest of the cake cut into square pieces, each topped with the same festive decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t get enough of how this cake combines two classic flavors in such a playful way. The poke technique lets the strawberry and lime jellos soak right into the cake, making every forkful juicy and flavorful.

Easy yet impressive: You don’t have to be a pro baker to nail this festive dessert.
Perfect holiday colors: The vibrant red and green layers add instant cheer to any celebration.
Light and refreshing twist: The lime adds a zing that balances the sweetness beautifully.
Great make-ahead option: You can prepare it in advance and wow guests with minimal effort.

The image shows a single square slice of a colorful cake on a white plate with a red and white cloth underneath. The cake has two main layers: the bottom layer is a light sponge with bright green and red spots that look soaked with syrup, creating a wet texture with small holes. On top, there is a thick layer of smooth white frosting decorated with small round green and red sprinkles scattered evenly. The cake looks moist and soft, and the background is a white marbled texture with blurred shapes giving it depth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing the right ingredients here is key to the perfect balance of texture and flavor. The fluffy white cake mix provides a reliable base, while the strawberry and lime jellos lend that vibrant, festive splash. Instant pudding and whipped topping create a luscious, creamy finish that’s anything but ordinary.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of fine white cake mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant red strawberry gelatin powder, a small white ceramic bowl of bright green lime gelatin powder, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth vanilla pudding mix powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh whole white milk, a small white ceramic bowl of fluffy thawed whipped topping, a neat pile of red and green round sprinkles, and two clear whole brown eggs with clean shells, all arranged symmetrically with balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White cake mix: A dependable, moist, and fluffy foundation that lets the jello flavors shine through.
Strawberry jello: Infuses fruity sweetness and rich red color that screams holiday cheer.
Lime jello: Adds a tangy kick and vibrant green hue to contrast sweet strawberries perfectly.
Boiling water: Essential for dissolving the jello completely so it seeps into the cake evenly.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: Thickens and enhances the creamy topping while adding subtle vanilla flavor.
Milk: Turns the pudding mix into a smooth, spreadable topping that’s light and airy.
Frozen whipped topping: Gives the cake a dreamy mousse texture without any fuss.
Red and green sprinkles: Adds the final festive touch and a little crunch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This cake is incredibly forgiving and flexible. I love tweaking it based on the season or my mood, and you’ll find it’s just as fun to make as it is delicious to eat.

Variation: One holiday season, I swapped lime jello for lemon—totally refreshing and bright, a great twist if you want to change things up!
Dietary tweak: Use a sugar-free jello and pudding mix if you’re watching sugar but still want the same great texture and flavor.
Extra fruit: Try folding fresh diced strawberries into the topping for bursts of natural fruitiness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 pan—you want that cake to have an even golden crust without sticking. I always use butter here because it adds a slight richness over spray. Follow the box instructions for mixing the cake batter; it’s super simple and guarantees a fluffy base. Pour it in and bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean—this usually takes around 30 minutes. Let it cool for about 15 minutes before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Poke Those Holes!

Grab a fork or the back end of a wooden spoon, and poke holes about every inch across the warm cake. This part feels oddly satisfying, doesn’t it? Those little pockets are what will soak up all that delicious strawberry and lime flavor in the next steps. Be gentle not to crumble the cake, and let it cool a bit more while you prepare the jello mixtures.

Step 3: Pour the Jello Mixtures

Mix each jello flavor separately with boiling water—stir until every crystal dissolves completely, no graininess allowed! Then pour the green and red jellos in alternating rows over the cake. I find that using a spoon or small ladle helps you control the pour and avoid mixing colors too much. The jello will sink nicely into the holes you made. Pop the cake in the fridge for about 15 minutes so the jello sets slightly but is still soft enough to combine wonderfully with the pudding topping.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Topping

Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix with milk until smooth and starting to thicken, then gently fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. This method keeps the topping light and fluffy without deflating all that air. Spread your luscious topping evenly over the chilled cake, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours—or overnight if you want to plan ahead.

Step 5: Add the Festive Finish

Just before serving, sprinkle liberally with red and green sprinkles—or any holiday-themed decorations you love. The colors pop against the white topping and add a fun crunchy texture. Now, gather your friends and family because by this point, the kitchen smells irresistible, and you’re about to be everyone’s favorite baker!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks with the Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe that really make it shine—here’s what’ll help your cake come out perfect every time.

Don’t rush the poke: Poke the cake while it's warm but not hot, so it’s firm enough to hold shape but still absorb the jello beautifully.
Use boiling water for jello: It needs to be hot to dissolve fully, avoiding clumps or uneven flavor pockets inside the cake.
Chill adequately: Let the jello set just enough before adding the topping, or it might run and mix colors unintentionally.
Choose quality whipped topping: It really makes a difference in texture; I’ve tried homemade too, but this shortcut is spot-on and saves time.

How to Serve Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe

Strawberry Lime Poke Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I swear by simple red and green sprinkles to keep the festive vibe alive, but I’ve also experimented with finely chopped fresh mint leaves for a hint of freshness that plays beautifully with the lime. Sometimes, I’ll add a few sliced strawberries on top just before serving to amp up the fruit factor and make it look extra special.

Side Dishes

This cake is quite a star on its own, but when I serve it at holiday parties, I like pairing it with light finger foods like spiced nuts or a crisp citrus salad. It balances the cake’s sweetness and keeps the whole dessert experience refreshing and lively.

Creative Ways to Present

One favorite way I’ve dressed this cake up is by serving it in individual glass jars, layering some crushed graham crackers between the cake and whipped topping for a “strawberry lime trifle” vibe. It’s perfect for potlucks or gifting because it looks so pretty and tastes divine!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After you’ve enjoyed the party, simply cover the cake with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers into an airtight container, and pop them in the fridge. I’ve found the flavors meld even more after a day or two, so leftovers taste just as good—if not better!—the next day.

Freezing

While I don’t usually freeze the whole poke cake, you can absolutely freeze the baked plain cake before poking and adding jello. Wrap it tightly in plastic and aluminum foil, then thaw in the fridge overnight before proceeding. For fully assembled cake, freezing isn’t ideal since the texture of the whipped topping can change.

Reheating

Since this is a chilled dessert, reheating isn’t necessary—if anything, just serve it cold straight from the fridge. If you prefer it slightly less chilled, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this cake without a box mix?

Absolutely! You can use your favorite scratch white cake recipe, just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the jello without falling apart. The key is a moist yet firm crumb for soaking in the jello.

What if I don’t like lime flavor?

You can easily swap the lime jello for another flavor like lemon, raspberry, or even plain strawberry—just pick a color and taste combo that suits you! The poke cake concept is versatile, so get creative.

How long does the cake last in the fridge?

Stored properly, the cake is best enjoyed within 3-4 days. I recommend keeping it covered tightly to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other fridge odors.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Definitely! Just swap the white cake mix for a gluten-free version and make sure any other ingredients (like pudding mix) are gluten-free certified. The rest of the process stays the same.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Strawberry Lime Poke Cake Recipe holds a special place in my holiday dessert lineup because it’s both nostalgic and fresh. It’s that joyful blend of classic poke cake technique and vibrant flavors that makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every year. I hope you give it a try and find as much joy in baking and sharing it as I do!