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!
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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:
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
Ingredients
for the cake:
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- ¾ c granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ c vegetable oil
- 1 c buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 3.5 oz package cherry jello (I used dark)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ 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.
Bernadette Anderson says
Can you leave out the coconut? Or substitute?
Nancy Schull says
I’m wondering the same thing. I loathe coconut. Lol
Janet says
I have never made a poke cake before - do you poke the holes all the way thru to the bottom of the cake, or not quite all the way to the bittiom? Thank you!
Anna says
Hi Janet! Yep, just poke it about halfway through. Enjoy the cake!
Jenni says
Hello! This cake looks absolutely delicious. Can I use tart cherries for this recipe instead?
Anna says
The cherries are used for garnish, just before serving. You can use tart cherries if you enjoy them fresh!
Suzanne says
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 😊
Erin says
Cherry Poke Cake. Can you use strawberry jello instead???
Anna says
Hi Erin! You can use any jello you like! Hope this helps.
Amy says
This is just what my boys need after a hard day of work!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Right? Sweet treat is always required!
Sandra says
It looks so love and delicious! Definitely a must-make!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Sandra!
Jenn says
Hello Anna! My family doesn’t seem to like coconut flakes...how would I adjust the recipe?
Anna says
Hi Jenn! Simply omit the coconut. No need to adjust the recipe. I hope this helps!
Selena Horton says
Nothing. The cake & jello alone are just right.
Demeter says
This looks like a little slice of summer heaven! Looks so moist and delicious!
Toni says
Such a perfect summer dessert! Would love to give this a try!
Dorothy says
Cherries always make me think happy summer thoughts! Love how moist a poke cake is!
Amanda says
Such a beautiful cake !! Love this recipe !
Delaney says
I love vintage desserts so much!
Sues says
This cake is gorgeous!! I love all things cherry in the summer 🙂