This 4th of July Cake is perfect for your Independence Day celebration! It’s an easy-to-make layered poke cake that includes using JELLO! 4th of July Layered Jello Cake: A Sweet and Patriotic Treat for the Family! When the 4th of July rolls around, it’s all about gathering with family, grilling up some burgers, and celebrating in true American style. And no 4th of July celebration is complete without something sweet to round out the day, right? That’s where this three-layer, patriotic Jello cake comes in.
Now, I’m not saying you need to be a professional baker to pull this off—far from it. This cake is for the home cook, the person who enjoys making something that looks impressive but doesn’t need to break a sweat. It’s simple, it’s fun, and most importantly, it’s delicious. Let’s talk about why this cake is going to be your new 4th of July favorite.
Have you ever been able to make your very own Fourth of July Cake? If not, then this year is your chance! This cake is not only easy to make, but it is also patriotic and festive. Whether you’re attending a BBQ or you just need a dessert for your family, this cake will do the trick!
Red White and Blue Cake
You’ve had vanilla and chocolate cake, but have you ever had Red White, and Blue Cake? This cake has the power to bring people together – just like the Fourth of July! If you’ve never made a festive cake before, then you’ll be glad to know that this one is super easy. The hardest part is waiting for it to bake!
What is a poke cake?
Poke cakes are cakes that have holes filled with a liquid filling that includes flavor. The most common poke cakes are filled with JELLO.
Ingredients for Patriotic Cake
- White cake mix box – You can pick this up at almost any grocery store.
- All-purpose flour – Hopefully you already have some all-purpose flour sitting in your pantry.
- Granulated sugar – The cake needs to be sweetened just a tad with this granulated sugar.
- Water and Boiling water – With this recipe, you’ll need water on two separate occasions.
- Whole eggs – You can’t bake a fluffy cake without the help of eggs!
- Egg white of 1 egg – This cake will help you master the egg white removal from the egg.
- Sour cream – This ingredient may sound weird, but it’s needed for this recipe.
- Heavy cream – A little heavy cream goes a long way in this recipe.
- Vegetable oil – You’ll need vegetable oil to help make this patriotic cake.
- JELL-O Strawberry flavor – This will give your cake the perfect amount of strawberry flavor.
- JELL-O Berry Blue flavor – This will give your cake the perfect amount of blueberry flavor.
The JELLO also helps to bring flavor and color to the cake!
A Fun Twist on the Classic Poke Cake
This cake is similar to the traditional poke cake that many of us grew up with—where you poke holes in the cake and pour Jello into those holes. But instead of just pouring the Jello over the top and letting it seep in, we’re layering the Jello on two separate cakes, creating a vibrant, colorful dessert that screams “patriotic” without even trying too hard. You’ve got that beautiful red and blue, and when paired with the smooth frosting, it’s like a visual celebration all on its own.
Tips and Tricks for Red White and Blue cake
- If you do not have bamboo sticks to create the holes in the cake you can easily use a stray, fork, or a handle of a spoon.
- Make sure to keep the cake cool. Even when frosting the cake.
- If you want to keep it even simpler you can omit the frosting and add a cool whip.
FAQs for 4th of July Cake
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
For this recipe, you’ll want to use a white cake mix. However, you could try a yellow cake mix or even a funfetti cake mix!
What if I don’t have all-purpose flour?
All-purpose flour is a pretty common ingredient, but you could try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour or even almond flour.
What are some other red, white, and blue recipes I could make?
If you’re looking for more patriotic recipes, then you could try making some red, white, and blue fruit kabobs or even a patriotic trifle! If you’re looking for even more Fourth of July recipes, then you could try making some patriotic parfaits or even some red, white, and blue sugar cookies!
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake is actually best if it’s made the day before you plan on serving it. This will give the JELLO ample time to set and the flavors will have a chance to meld together.
Can you use sugar-free Jell-O?
Yes, you sure can. This will not change anything about the outcome of the cake.
The Cake Layers
You’re starting with a simple white cake mix as the base. Now, I know some people might scoff at using a box mix, but sometimes, convenience is your friend, especially when you’ve got a lot going on during the holiday. The beauty of this cake is that the added ingredients, like sour cream and heavy cream, really elevate the mix and give it a moist, tender crumb.
You’ll bake the cakes and let them cool a bit before the fun part—poking holes all over the cake. I’m talking about the kind of holes where the Jello is going to soak in and turn the whole cake into a colorful masterpiece. It’s one of those steps that feels satisfying, like you’re taking part in something a little magical. You can use a fork or bamboo skewer—whatever you have on hand works fine.
The Jello Layers: Red and Blue Perfection
This is where the 4th of July magic happens. You’ve got your strawberry-flavored Jello for the red, and the berry blue Jello for the, well, blue. You dissolve each packet in boiling water (one at a time), and then pour each one over its respective cake layer. The Jello seeps into the holes, coloring the cake from the inside out. It’s like a flavor burst in every bite. Once it’s done, pop those cakes into the fridge to let the Jello set. It’s like a cool, refreshing treat you can look forward to while the sun beats down outside.
Frosting: Smooth & Creamy
Now, let’s talk about the frosting. This isn’t your typical buttercream; we’re adding a little bit of coconut extract to give it a bit of a twist. The frosting comes out smooth and creamy, with just enough sweetness to balance the tangy Jello. The secret ingredient? A combo of Crisco and butter. Yes, Crisco. I know it might sound odd, but trust me, it gives the frosting a smooth, spreadable texture that’s perfect for covering this cake.
As you spread that frosting over your Jello-infused cake layers, you’re going to see it come together beautifully. The layers look like they were made for each other, with the white frosting complementing the red and blue beneath it. You can leave it simple or decorate it with sprinkles, colored piping, or even a few flags to give it that extra touch of holiday spirit.
Chill and Serve: The Ultimate 4th of July Cake
Once your cake is frosted and looking all kinds of festive, just pop it in the fridge for a few hours to set. The cool, creamy texture paired with the fruity Jello layers is the perfect contrast to the summer heat. Whether you’re having a backyard BBQ or just enjoying a quiet day with the family, this cake is guaranteed to make your 4th of July feel a little sweeter.
It’s the kind of cake that’s easy to make, yet feels special enough for a holiday celebration. You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to create something that’s not only a feast for the eyes but also delicious. And when you cut into it, the colorful layers are going to have everyone asking, “How did you make that?” So, go ahead, enjoy the process, and be ready for everyone to rave about your new go-to 4th of July cake.
Happy baking, and happy Independence Day!
More Recipes You Will Love!
Soft & Chewy White Chocolate Firework Cookies
4th of July Cake
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix box
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 whole eggs
- Egg white of 1 egg
- 1 ⁄2 cup Sour cream
- 1 ⁄4 cup heavy cream
- 1 ⁄4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 pkg. 3 oz. JELL-O Strawberry flavor
- 1 pkg. 3 oz. JELL-O Berry Blue flavor
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 stick Crisco
- 2 sticks or 1 cup unsalted butter
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup Heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons Coconut extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together, cake mix, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar.
- With an electric hand mixer or a whisk, mix dry ingredients on low.
- Slowly, add in water, sour cream, eggs, egg white, heavy cream, and vegetable oil, and mix.
- Mix both wet and dry ingredients all together until well-combined.
- Divide cake batter between two 8-inch cake pans.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the center is baked.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Use a fork or a bamboo stick to poke holes all over the cake.
- In a mixing bowl add 1 cup of boiling water and stir in strawberry Jell-o until dissolved. Repeat with the berry blue Jell-O in a separate mixing bowl.
- Pour strawberry Jell-O carefully over one of the baked cakes. Carefully, pour berry blue Jell-O over the other cake.
- Cover cakes and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- With an electric mixer, cream together butter and shortening until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add in heavy whipping cream and coconut extract.
- Slowly, add in confectioner’s sugar a little at a time. If frosting is too thick you can add 1 teaspoon of heavy whipping cream until you have reached the texture, you are looking for. Mix frosting for another 2 minutes.
- Remove cakes from cake pans. Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand and spread about 1 cup of frosting on top.
- Place remaining cake on top of frosting. Spread the top and the sides with frosting until the cake is completely covered. Decorate the cake with colored frosting or sprinkles.
- Place cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest for more recipes!
Leave A Reply!