The Best Cherry Lime Delight Poke Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Cherry lime delights bring vibrant summer memories bursting with tangy sweetness and refreshing zest.

Cool desserts craft ordinary gatherings into memorable celebrations with unexpected flavor combinations.

Soft, moist cake layers absorb fruity liquid, creating a luscious texture that surprises and delights.

Bright colors and bold taste sensations make this recipe a standout among traditional sweet treats.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to craft an impressive dessert that looks professionally crafted.

Home bakers can easily elevate their skills with this stunning and delectable creation.

Your friends and family will be amazed by the incredible balance of tart and sweet flavors.

Why Cherry Lime Poke Cake Feels Like Summer

• Burst of Tropical Flavors: Combine zesty lime and sweet cherry Jell-O for a refreshing, vibrant taste explosion that dances on your taste buds.
• Super Easy Weekend Dessert: Whip up this crowd-pleasing cake using simple boxed mix and Jell-O, making it perfect for busy home bakers who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Colorful Layered Texture Surprise: Enjoy the fun, moist cake with beautiful marbled cherry and lime colors that peek through the creamy Cool Whip topping, creating a visually stunning dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Cooling Treat: Serve this chilled cake at summer gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners for a cool, light dessert that everyone will adore and remember.

What’s Inside Cherry Lime Poke Cake Layers

• White Cake Mix: A convenient base for creating a moist and light cake foundation.
• Water: Helps to bind the cake mix ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Egg Whites: Provides structure and helps the cake rise properly.

• Cherry Jell-O: Adds vibrant red color and fruity cherry flavor to the cake.
• Lime Jell-O: Brings a tangy green layer and refreshing lime taste.
• Boiling Water: Dissolves the Jell-O powder completely.
• Cold Water: Helps to cool and set the Jell-O mixture.

• Cool Whip: Provides a light, creamy topping that complements the fruity Jell-O layers.

How to Make a Cherry Lime Poke Cake Pop

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Generously grease your baking dish to ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Water
• Vegetable oil
• Egg whites

Follow the box instructions carefully, mixing until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 29-33 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 4: Cool Down

Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan on a wire rack. Allow 20-30 minutes for complete cooling.

Step 5: Create Cake Holes

Grab a fork and gently poke holes across the entire cake surface. Create neat rows to ensure even Jell-O distribution.

Step 6: Prepare Jell-O Mixtures

• Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water
• Add cold water
• Stir thoroughly until completely mixed

Step 7: Add Jell-O to Cake

Carefully spoon Cherry and Lime Jell-O mixtures alternately over the cake. Watch as the liquid seeps into the holes, creating vibrant color patterns.

Step 8: Initial Chilling

Place the cake in the refrigerator and let it set completely. Allow at least 1 hour for the Jell-O to absorb and stabilize.

Step 9: Frost the Cake

Spread Cool Whip evenly across the top of the chilled cake. Use a spatula to create a smooth, even layer.

Step 10: Final Chilling

Return the frosted cake to the refrigerator. Chill for another hour, or ideally overnight, to ensure perfect texture and flavor melding.

Serving Tip: Slice and serve chilled for the most refreshing dessert experience!

Tips for Moist and Flavor-Packed Poke Cake

• Hole-Poking Technique: Create evenly spaced holes across the cake using a fork, ensuring the Jell-O penetrates deeply for maximum flavor absorption.
• Temperature Precision: Allow the cake to cool completely before poking holes to prevent Jell-O from running off the surface.
• Jell-O Mixing Pro: Use boiling water first to dissolve the Jell-O completely, then add cold water to help it set quickly and evenly.
• Layering Magic: Alternate Cherry and Lime Jell-O carefully to create a beautiful color gradient and balanced flavor profile.
• Chilling Secret: Refrigerate overnight for the most intense flavor and perfect texture, giving the Jell-O time to fully set and infuse the cake.

Store Cherry Lime Cake Without Losing Flavor

• Store Leftovers
• Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days, maintaining its fresh flavor and soft texture. Ensure the covering is snug to protect the cake from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Reheat Method
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to let it slightly warm to room temperature. Slice individual portions directly from the cold cake for the best taste and texture. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the whipped topping and Jell-O layers lose their delicate consistency.
• Freezing Option
• Freeze individual slices wrapped separately in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake can last up to 2 months.

What to Serve with Cherry Lime Dessert

• Sip Sparkling Cherry Lime Mocktail: Complement the cake's vibrant flavors with a refreshing homemade mocktail using cherry juice, fresh lime, sparkling water, and a touch of mint.
• Pair Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Balance the cake's tangy Jell-O layers with a creamy scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Match Whipped Cream Garnish: Top individual cake slices with extra dollops of whipped cream and sprinkle fresh lime zest or maraschino cherries for added texture and visual appeal.
• Enjoy Chilled White Wine: For adult gatherings, serve a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the cake's fruity and light profile.

Cherry Lime Poke Cake Versions to Explore

• Tropical Paradise Poke Cake: Swap cherry and lime Jell-O with passion fruit and mango flavors for a vibrant, exotic dessert that transports your taste buds to a sunny beach.
• Berry Blast Poke Cake: Replace cherry and lime with strawberry and blueberry Jell-O, creating a patriotic-themed cake bursting with berry goodness and colorful layers.
• Citrus Sunrise Poke Cake: Use orange and lemon Jell-O to craft a bright, zesty version that captures the refreshing essence of a morning citrus sunrise.
• Chocolate Cherry Remix: Substitute white cake mix with chocolate cake and keep cherry Jell-O, adding a rich, decadent spin on the original recipe that chocolate lovers will adore.

Cherry Lime Delight Poke Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 53 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Cool Cherry Lime Delight Poke Cake delivers zesty summer refreshment with tangy lime gelatin and sweet cherry topping. Creamy whipped cream and juicy cherries crown this simple dessert, making it perfect for gatherings where cool flavors shine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base:

• 1 (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) box white cake mix
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites

Jell-O Layers:

• 1 (3 ounces / 85 grams) box cherry Jell-O
• 1 (3 ounces / 85 grams) box lime Jell-O
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water, divided
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) cold water, divided

Topping:

• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) tub of Cool Whip
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Christmas sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Activate the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and meticulously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent potential sticking.
2. Whisk together the white cake mix with specified box ingredients including water, vegetable oil, and egg whites, ensuring a silky-smooth consistency by following package mixing instructions precisely.
3. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula, and bake for 29-33 minutes until a clean toothpick emerges from the center when tested.
4. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 25-30 minutes, maintaining the cake’s structural integrity.
5. Using a fork, methodically create uniform rows of holes across the entire cake surface, ensuring deep punctures to maximize Jell-O absorption.
6. Prepare both cherry and lime Jell-O packets separately by dissolving each in boiling water, then incorporating cold water into each mixture.
7. Carefully distribute alternating spoonfuls of cherry and lime Jell-O mixtures across the cake’s perforated surface, allowing liquid to seep thoroughly into the holes.
8. Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 1 hour to enable complete Jell-O absorption and initial setting.
9. Gently spread a uniform layer of whipped topping across the chilled cake’s surface using a clean offset spatula.
10. Return the cake to the refrigerator and allow it to set completely for an additional 1-2 hours, or ideally overnight, before serving chilled.

Notes

• Create this vibrant dessert when you want a showstopping treat that combines tangy and sweet flavors in one delightful cake.
• Poking holes allows the Jell-O to penetrate deeply, creating a super moist and colorful dessert that surprises with every bite.
• Alternating Cherry and Lime Jell-O creates a beautiful marbled effect, making this cake as visually stunning as it is delicious.
• Chilling the cake thoroughly helps the Jell-O set perfectly and intensifies the fruity flavor throughout the entire dessert.
• Cool Whip provides a light, creamy topping that balances the intense fruit flavors and adds a smooth, refreshing finish.
• Prepare this cake in advance, as the overnight chill helps develop the most incredible flavor and texture combination.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 33 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg