• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Kitchen Divas
  • Recipes
  • Resources
    • Kitchen Divas Resources
    • Blogger Resources
  • About
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Divas Resources
  • Blogger Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Patriotic Poke Cupcakes

    Published: Jun 19, 2021 · Modified: Sep 4, 2021 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Stop everything that you're doing and grab the simple ingredients for these Patriotic Poke Cupcakes. Simple, delicious, and perfect for the 4th of July!

    Patriotic Poke Cupcakes

    I LOVE cupcakes. All kinds, all day. The reason being? It's a simple reason to enjoy a dessert that I literally don't have to share. Does that make me selfish? Maybe...but after years of making desserts and having people ask me for a bite, I'm drawn to making cupcakes because everyone can have their own.

    That way, when someone asks me for a bite of cupcakes, I just have to tell them "no" and for them to get their own. Glorious, right?

    I also love this easy poke cupcake recipe because poke cakes are just fun to make. While so many other baking recipes are all about perfection and beauty, poke cake recipes want you to actually make holes in the cooked cake! 

    For me, it's fun to poke the holes and add in the ingredients because I love how rich and moist poke cupcakes and cakes are. The holes just allow the perfect amount of flavor to seep through and get into each and every bite. 

    How do you poke a hole in a cupcake?

    This is the best part! You can do this in a few different ways. Since you're going to make making a few holes in these cupcakes, using the end of a wooden spoon is going to be the best. That way you can make the holes and they'll be a unicorn and separate from one another.

    Some people swear that using your finger is fine, too...just make certain that your hands are clean! 

    I don't recommend using a fork because those holes aren't big enough at all to get that classic poke cake look and flavor. 

    Why is it called Poke Cake?

    There is actually a lot of different theories out there. But what it boils down to is that the Jello company was proving that jello could be used for many different things. This recipe was created and has never fizzled out. 

    How do you know when cupcakes are done baking?

    Cupcakes are pretty quick and easy to bake but you want to be certain that they're done all the way through. The easiest way to be certain is that you can use a toothpick or a butter knife to test out the middle. 

    To do this, just insert it into the middle of a cooked cupcake. If it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done baking and ready to be pulled from the oven. If there is still wet batter, they need longer in the oven to be done. 

    What is meant by Poke Cake?

    It's literally just like it sounds. You take a baked cake, or cupcake in this matter, and poke holes and fill them. It might look a bit funky while you're doing it, but it settles and looks really cool once ready to enjoy. 

    Does the added jello mixture create a weird texture?

    It doesn't. The granules are so small, you don't even notice them. They just fill in the holes and add a cool and funky look fast. 

    Ingredients Needed for Jello Poke Cupcakes

    You don't need very many ingredients at all to make this delicious cake recipe! 

    • white cake mix prepared according to box directions
    • 1.5 oz blue jello (half of a small box)
    • 1.5 oz red jello (half of a small box)
    • 1 cup boiling water, divided
    • 8 oz whipping topping
    • sprinkles

    How to make Jello Cake Mix Cupcakes

    Once you see how simple and easy this recipe is, there's going to be no stopping you! 

    Prepare the cupcakes according to the cake mix

    Prepare cupcakes according to box directions.

    Prepare the jello

    When cake is cooled, combine ½ cup boiling water with blue jello in a bowl. Stir until dissolved.

    In another bowl, combine ½ cup boiling water with red jello. Stir until dissolved.

    Poke holes in the cooled cupcakes

    Using a wooden spoon, poke three holes in each cupcake.

    Add in the jello mixture

    Carefully spoon jello mixtures into the holes, trying to only pour one color into each hole. In each cupcake, I pour one color in two holes
    and the other color into one hole.

    Put the cupcakes in the fridge

    Place cupcakes in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow jello to soak in.

    Add the topping

    Frost with whipped topping and finish things off with sprinkles.

    Ways to Vary Up these Patriotic Cake Mix Cupcakes

    The great news about making cupcakes using a cake mix is that it opens the door for a ton of other variance. You can easily switch out the type of cake mix that you want to use to change up the look and flavor fast.

    Just be aware that a darker-colored cake mix isn't going to show any of the colors of the jello mixture if you're going for that "wow" factor in the middle. This would basically apply to cake mixes that chocolate and red velvet and something to remember, if so. 

    Mixing up the type of jello that you use is another fun way to mix up the flavor and look as well. Since this easy cupcake recipe is basic, it just means that you can use it to make cupcakes like this for all times of the year and other holidays. 

    Storage Tips for Cupcakes

    While poke cake cupcakes are moist, you need to store them in an airtight container and eat them within 2-3 days of baking them. This will give them the best flavor and ensure that they're moist and fluffy, too. 

    You can freeze cooked cupcakes as well but freeze them before you add on any type of frosting or topping. Once they unthaw, you can easily add on the toppings that you want to then. 

    Have fun making this simple poke cupcake recipe! It's a fast and easy way to get an amazing and delicious treat! 

    More Cake Mix Recipes

    • Chocolate Cake Chex Mix   
    • No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Cake
    • Caramel Brownie Trifle with Cheesecake
    • Jello Layered Cake - All flavors work!

    Patriotic Poke Cupcakes

    Stop everything that you're doing and grab the simple ingredients for these Patriotic Poke Cupcakes. Simple and perfect for the 4th of July!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Additional Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 230 kcal

    Equipment

    • muffin pan (12 holes)
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • 2 small bowl
    • whisk
    • wooden spoon end

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 white cake mix prepared according to box directions
    • 1.5 oz blue jello half of a small box
    • 1.5 oz red jello half of a small box
    • 1 cup boiling water divided
    • 8 oz whipped topping
    • sprinkles and sparkles

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure all of your ingredients.
    • Prepare cupcakes according to box directions.
    • When cake is cooled, combine ½ cup boiling water with blue jello in a bowl. Stir until dissolved.
    • In another bowl, combine ½ cup boiling water with red jello. Stir until dissolved.
    • Using a wooden spoon, poke three holes in each cupcake.
    • Carefully spoon jello mixtures into the holes, trying to only pour one color into each hole.
    • In each cupcake, I pour one color in two holes and the other color into one hole.
    • Place cupcakes in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow jello to soak in.
    • Frost with whipped topping.
    • Cover all cupcakes with topping.
    • Finish things off with sprinkles and sparkles.
    • Enjoy every bite.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 0.4mgSodium: 345mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 14IUCalcium: 108mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword july 4th cupcakes, patriotic poke cupcakes, poke cupcakes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

     
    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    Email

    More Desserts

    • Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake
    • Baileys Brownie Bites with Baileys Ganache
    • Berries with Devon Custard or easy Ambrosia Custard Recipe in three glass bowls.
      Ambrosia Custard Recipe (Devon Custard)
    • A casserole dish of canned cinnamon rolls with heavy cream topped with icing.
      Canned Cinnamon Rolls with Heavy Cream and Blueberries

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    Read more...

    Latest Recipes

    • How to Make Homemade Cornbread
    • Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
    • Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake
    • Baileys Brownie Bites with Baileys Ganache

    Footer

    Join me in the kitchen for a week of our favorite Sweets and Treats!

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    © 2023 · Kitchen Divas · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy