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Best No-Bake Firecracker Poke Cake with Berry Jello

no-bake firecracker poke cake - featured image
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A quick and easy no-bake poke cake made with boxed white cake mix, berry Jell-O, and a boozy kick of fireball whiskey. Perfect for patriotic celebrations or any summer gathering, this dessert looks like a showstopper but comes together in just 30 minutes of active time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box white cake mix (Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines)
  • Eggs, oil, and water as directed on cake mix box
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jell-O
  • 1 box (3 oz) berry blue Jell-O
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/4 cup fireball whiskey (optional, for adults)
  • 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed
  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles for garnish
  • Fresh strawberries and blueberries for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine white cake mix with eggs, oil, and water according to package directions. Add vanilla extract and mix until smooth (about 2 minutes on medium speed).
  3. Pour batter into prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  4. Let cake cool in pan for 10-15 minutes until warm but not hot.
  5. Using a wooden skewer or spoon handle, poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart and poking all the way to the bottom.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine both boxes of Jell-O with 1 cup boiling water. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved (about 2 minutes). Add cold water and fireball whiskey, then stir again.
  7. Slowly pour Jell-O mixture over entire surface of cake, ensuring it gets into all holes. Use a spatula to spread evenly if needed.
  8. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  9. Once cake is fully chilled and Jell-O has set, spread Cool Whip evenly over the top.
  10. Sprinkle red, white, and blue sprinkles over the top. Add fresh berries for decoration. Slice and serve chilled.

Notes

For a kid-friendly version, omit the whiskey and add an extra 1/4 cup cold water. For dairy-free, use a dairy-free cake mix and coconut whipped topping. Let Jell-O cool slightly before pouring to avoid making the cake soggy. The cake tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: poke cake, no-bake, firecracker, Jell-O, berry, Fourth of July, patriotic, easy dessert, boxed cake mix, fireball whiskey

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/best-no-bake-firecracker-poke-cake-with-berry-jello/