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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Dessert / Cherry Poke Cake Recipe

    Cherry Poke Cake Recipe

    Published: Jul 3, 2017 · Modified: Oct 22, 2022 by Anna 18 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Cherry Poke Cake Recipe - fluffy vanilla cake with dark cherry jello, topped with whipped cream topping and fresh sweet cherries. This is the one summer dessert you have to try!

    Cherry Poke Cake Recipe - fluffy vanilla cake with dark cherry jello, topped with whipped cream topping and fresh sweet cherries. This is the one summer dessert you have to try!

    Give me all the cherries (and peaches) because summer is here in a full swing!

    I can never have enough of this seasons' ripe and juicy fruit and always try to freeze a ton for the cold months. Cherries are summer's little jewels and of course are the best enjoyed popped right into your mouth BUT they can also be gorgeous sitting on top of a piece of fluffy and light vanilla cake with cherry jello. Swoon!

    This Cherry Poke Cake is very easy to make and each bite melts in your mouth. Perfect festive dessert for summer parties!

    Cherry Poke Cake Recipe - fluffy vanilla cake with dark cherry jello, topped with whipped cream topping and fresh sweet cherries. This is the one summer dessert you have to try!

    Since I don't make traditional buttercream frostings any more ( don't even ask me to buy it in a store), I prefer to mix whipped cream or whipped topping with pudding mix and juice like I did for my Pineapple Coconut Cake. However, for this Cherry Poke Cake I wanted the actual cake to shine and be the star, so I went simply with a layer of whipped topping.

    TIP: If you love almond and cherry combo, use almond extract in place of vanilla for this cake. It is phenomenal!

    Since my cherries were dark, I chose the dark cherry jello for this cake. It matches perfectly, don't you think? It's always so exciting to pull the first piece of a poke cake and see the gorgeous streaks of color. Festive and delicious! Of course, this recipe will work with any jello and any fruit.

    More cake recipes:

    • One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe
    • One Bowl Vanilla Cake Recipe
    • Eggless Chocolate Cake
    • The Best Apple Crumb Cake

    If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

    Cherry Poke Cake Recipe

    Author: Anna
    Cherry Poke Cake Recipe - fluffy vanilla cake with dark cherry jello, topped with whipped cream topping and fresh sweet cherries. This is the one summer dessert you have to try!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 people
    Calories 424 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    for the cake:

    • 2 c all-purpose flour
    • 3/4 c granulated sugar
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 1/2 tsp baking soda
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    • 1/2 c vegetable oil
    • 1 c buttermilk
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract OR 1/2 tsp almond extract
    • 1 3.5 oz package cherry jello (I used dark)
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 1/2 cup cold water

    topping:

    • 8 oz tub of whipped topping ( like Cool Whip) or 2 cups whipped cream
    • 12 to 14 fresh cherries with stems , for decoration

    Instructions
     

    to make the cake:

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
    • Grease and flour a 9" x 13" baking pan.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and coconut). In another mixing bowl or large measuring cup, mix together buttermilk, oil, eggs and coconut extract.
    • The batter should be smooth and thick.
    • Place the batter into prepared baking pan.
    • Bake 28 - 32 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
    • Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes.
    • In the meantime, in a medium mixing bowl, stir together jello powder and boiling water. Stir until dissolved, about 2 minutes. Add cold water and stir.
    • Poke holes in cake using a fork or a wooden skewer. Pour jello over the cake.
    • Chill in fridge for 3 hours. (see note)
    • Spread whipped topping over cooled cake. Chill in fridge for 1 hour.
    • Slice cake into pieces. Garnish with fresh cherries just before serving.

    Notes

    If you are baking the cake in a glass pan, do not place in the fridge while it's still hot or it may crack. After pouring jello over cake, let the cake sit on the counter for another 15 to 20 minutes (preferably on a cooling rack). Then chill in fridge. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    More Dessert Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenni says

      July 17, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      Hello! This cake looks absolutely delicious. Can I use tart cherries for this recipe instead?

      Reply
      • Anna says

        July 18, 2021 at 10:45 pm

        The cherries are used for garnish, just before serving. You can use tart cherries if you enjoy them fresh!

        Reply
    2. Suzanne says

      May 07, 2021 at 3:43 pm

      Oh my!!! My boys LOVED this cake!! I was a little hesitant on making this, but now I guess this is going to be what Mom/Nana has to bring to every family function. It was so easy & super moist! Thank you 😊

      Reply
    3. Erin says

      September 23, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      Cherry Poke Cake. Can you use strawberry jello instead???

      Reply
      • Anna says

        September 23, 2019 at 5:24 pm

        Hi Erin! You can use any jello you like! Hope this helps.

        Reply
    4. Amy says

      July 30, 2018 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      This is just what my boys need after a hard day of work!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 30, 2018 at 10:56 pm

        Right? Sweet treat is always required!

        Reply
    5. Sandra says

      July 29, 2018 at 4:39 pm

      5 stars
      It looks so love and delicious! Definitely a must-make!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        July 30, 2018 at 10:57 pm

        Thank you, Sandra!

        Reply
        • Jenn says

          July 01, 2019 at 8:26 am

          Hello Anna! My family doesn’t seem to like coconut flakes...how would I adjust the recipe?

          Reply
          • Anna says

            July 01, 2019 at 5:45 pm

            Hi Jenn! Simply omit the coconut. No need to adjust the recipe. I hope this helps!

            Reply
          • Selena Horton says

            February 21, 2020 at 5:49 pm

            5 stars
            Nothing. The cake & jello alone are just right.

            Reply
    6. Demeter says

      July 27, 2018 at 7:47 am

      This looks like a little slice of summer heaven! Looks so moist and delicious!

      Reply
    7. Toni says

      July 27, 2018 at 7:00 am

      5 stars
      Such a perfect summer dessert! Would love to give this a try!

      Reply
    8. Dorothy says

      July 26, 2018 at 8:50 pm

      Cherries always make me think happy summer thoughts! Love how moist a poke cake is!

      Reply
    9. Amanda says

      July 26, 2018 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Such a beautiful cake !! Love this recipe !

      Reply
    10. Delaney says

      July 26, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      I love vintage desserts so much!

      Reply
    11. Sues says

      July 05, 2017 at 10:48 am

      This cake is gorgeous!! I love all things cherry in the summer 🙂

      Reply

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