This Lime Jello Poke Cake Recipe is easy and delicious!
It is absolutely perfect for that time of year when you want to celebrate the Luck of the Irish with a light and fluffy cake!
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Lime Jello Poke Cake
This Lime Jello Cake recipe has a very nice and subtle lime flavor and I love how light the cool whip is with it!
This was inspired by my Mini Ombre Cakes Recipe that are also perfect for Saint Patrick's day, and pairs well with this amazing Shepherd's Pie recipe.
You can also serve this Irish Soda Bread Recipe that you can whip up with no yeast!
Why you will love this Lime Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Growing up, I really thought that my mom invented what we called Rainbow cake.
Way before the internet and social media, families passed around recipes like this lime poke cake that they found in cookbooks or magazines, or got from their nanas.
Do you remember that episode of Friends when they were scrambling to figure out the grandmother's top secret chocolate chip cookie recipe, and it turned out to be the recipe on the back of the bag of Nestle Tollhouse morsels?! Ha ha!
Apparently, this Lime Poke Cake Recipe is an old recipe and my mother did not, in fact, invent it!
However....I believe that she perfected it and her cake recipes are ALWAYS the best!
Here are the Lime Poke Cake Ingredients you will need
This Jello poke cake is the perfect way to celebrate St Patrick's Day! It's easy to make, and will be the star of your party.
All you need are three super simple ingredients: lime Jello, a store-bought white or yellow cake mix, and Cool Whip.
- Box white cake mix - And ingredients to make the cake mix, usually eggs and oil
- Small package. 3.4 oz, lime gelatin
- 1 cup cold water
- Whipped topping - I love Cool Whip!
Please see the printable recipe card at the end of this post for all of the exact quantities of each ingredient.
How to Make Lime Jello Poke Cake
Start by making a 9x13 inch cake according to directions on the box of cake mix.
Use a spoon handle to poke holes in the cake, about 1" apart. Put your cold water in a pot and boil it now so it is ready.
Whisk the cup boiling water and gelatin together until dissolved completely, about 2 minutes.
Gently pour onto the top of the cake, making sure it fills the holes.
Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Remove from the refrigerator and spread whipped topping on top. Slice and serve this St Patricks Day Cake immediately or refrigerate, covered until ready to serve. This lime jello cake recipe makes 24 slices, which should be enough to feed the whole family - with plenty of leftovers!
Hint: For the best results, make sure that your holes go all the way down into the bottom of the cake in the pan. If you don't make ensure that holes are uniform and evenly spread throughout the cake, some people won't get as much flavor as others.
Substitutions for Eggs in this St Patrick's Cake
If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, you can make this St Patrick's cake with lots of different egg substitutes!
- Banana - 1 egg = ¼ cup mashed banana
- Pumpkin Puree - 1 egg = ¼ cup pureed pumpkin
- Applesauce - 1 egg = ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
While I am not vegan myself, I often use replacements for eggs in my baking and these are all things that I have personally tried and approve of!
Variations and Add-ins for Lime Jello Poke Cake
Now, when I was a kid, my mom made what we called Rainbow Cake - and while it was a Jello Poke cake, she made it with all sorts of different Jello, thus the term RAINBOW! You can really make this poke cake recipe with any flavor of Jello, but these are my favorite ideas for Saint Patrick's Day.
- Key Lime Jello poke cake - when preparing the lime gelatin, replace half of the water with Key Lime Juice and make this a Key Lime Poke cake
- Lemon Lime Jello poke cake - you can use lime gelatin or lemon lime Jello to make this a Lemon lime Jello poke cake
If you love cooking and baking with Jello, try making lime Jello cookies using our easy Jell-O Cookies recipe!
Top tip
You can easily turn this recipe for Saint Patrick's Day dessert into cupcakes by following the instructions on the box of cake mix for making cupcakes. Everything else will remain the same, EXCEPT that you will have to be a little more intentional about where you poke the holes in the cupcakes before adding the lime green Jello!
How to Store Any Leftover Jello Poke Cake Desserts
Because this is a big dessert cake, you are likely to have leftovers. I love using this 9x13 cake pan with a lid so that it is easy to store leftovers. You can buy it here on Amazon!
FAQ about making this Dessert Cake for Saint Patrick's Day
A Poke Cake - sometimes also called a Poke-and-pour cake is an old fashioned cake that you poke holes in after baking, then pour a liquid over to soak into the holes. Poke cakes are usually made with prepared gelatin (like Jell-O) to add unique flavors and moisture.
Use the handle of a clean wooden spoon to make sure you have even holes throughout the cake. My mom has always used a turkey baster to add the Jello into the holes, but you can also just pour the Jello over the cake and have a little bit of flavor on top, or drop it into the holes using a spoon.
Related Saint Patrick's Day Recipes like this Lime Poke Cake Recipe
If you are enjoying this Patty's Lucky Lime Jello Poke Cake Recipe, take a look around for even more fun stuff! We have lots of delicious holiday treat recipes on the site, and I am always adding new ideas with each year. Here are a few fun Saint Patrick's Day recipes from prior years! Try these:
- Homemade Pistachio Shortbread
- 12 Lucky Desserts to Make for Saint Patrick's Day
- Frozen Espresso Martini with Baileys
- Rolo Pretzel Delights Recipe for Saint Patrick's Day
Check out some of our favorite Dinner ideas!
These are a few of my favorite easy dinner recipes to serve with this Saint Patrick's Day cake recipe:
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To print this Lime Poke Cake Recipe, simply click the recipe card below!
I know that sometimes it is easier to go off a recipe when it is printed right in front of you. Who wants to swipe their screen on their phone or tablet when their hands are greasy? So I love offering this option as well!
Lime Poke Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix and ingredients to make cake (egg, oil and water)
- 1 lime gelatin small package. 3.4 oz
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 whipped topping 8 oz, small container, thawed
Instructions
- Bake cake according to package directions and let cool completely. Use a spoon handle to poke holes in the cake, about 1" apart.
- Mix boiling water and gelatin together until dissolved completely, about 2 minutes. Gently pour onto the top of the cake, making sure it fills the holes. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Remove from the refrigerator and spread whipped topping on top. Slice and serve immediately or refrigerate, covered until ready to serve.
Video
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Mary says
When poking the cake do u go all the way to the button of the pan or just half ways ...do you cool the jello mixture before pouring over the cake
Jenn says
Do not cool the JELL-O, you'll want to pour it into the cake while it's still hot so it absorbs throughout the cake. You can go almost to the bottom of the pan, or halfway - either way, it will make for an interesting mixture!
Amy says
This poke cake is definitely a favorite of mine! Everyone always loves it!
Liz says
I made this last year for St. Patrick's Day and my family wants it again this year! It's so easy and delicious!! Definitely a winner!!
Nancy says
Such a fun and festive cake!