Patriotic Poke Cupcakes will be the hit of your 4th of July celebration! Unwrap these cute cupcakes and reveal a festive surprise, thanks to the fun colors and flavors of Jell-O, everyone’s favorite versatile childhood treat. Plus, cupcakes are a delightful, take-anywhere treat that are just the thing to bring to any holiday barbecue, picnic, or pool party.

What is Poke Cake?

Poke cakes are quick and easy to make, plus they are incredibly tasty. Poke Cake was invented in 1969 by General Foods Corporation to increase sales of their flagship product, Jell-O. To make the original version, bake a white sheet cake according to package instructions. Once cooled, poke holes all over the top of the cake with a fork. Then pour strawberry Jell-O onto the cake so that it fills all of the ‘poked’ holes. The result is a light, fluffy, extremely moist cake that is bursting with flavor! And, these individual Patriotic Poke Cupcakes pack everything that’s great about traditional poke cake into one perfect, portable dessert.

Two Tips for Making Patriotic Poke Cupcakes

Tip #1: Instead of using a spoon to make the red and blue gelatin rows, try this easy, no-spill option. Pour each of the prepared gelatin mixtures into a separate squeeze bottle. Perfect for letting the kids help out!

Tip #2: Add some extra 4th of July flair to your poke cupcakes and bake them in red, white, and blue paper cupcake liners. Or, buy fun and festive flag-print versions, available on Amazon.

How To Make Patriotic Poke Cupcakes Step By Step

Step #1: Bake cake in cupcake pan, according to package instructions. Allow to cool.

Step #2: Next, poke holes in the top of the cupcakes with a fork.

Step #3: Mix together the blue and red gelatin each with 1 cup of boiling water until dissolved. Then spoon each color of gelatin over the cupcakes, making sure to the gelatin fills the holes.

Pour a row of blue, then a row of red, and continue to alternate to get a colorful mix of red and blue in the cupcake. Spoon over each row 2-3 times for good coverage.

Step #4: Next, cream together cream cheese and butter, and then add in the powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Divide into 3 equal portions. Add red food coloring to one and blue to another one, adding a couple drops of food coloring at a time until you get to the desired shade.

Step #5: Place the frosting into a tri-color decorating bag to make a red, white and blue frosting design on the cupcakes.

More Fun and Festive 4th of July Recipes

Looking for more more fun and festive recipes to sweeten up your holiday gathering? Try these delicious options:

Patriotic Pretzel Rods

4th of July Poke Cake with Frozen Strawberry Layer

Patriotic Party Snack Mix

Red White & Blue Dessert Lasagna

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Patriotic Poke Cupcakes

Print

Patriotic Poke Cupcakes will be the hit of your 4th of July celebration!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 38 minutes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix, prepared to package instructions
• 1 package (3 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
• 1 package (3 ounce) package berry blue gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water (for gelatin)

Frostings:

• 1 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• Red and blue food coloring

Instructions

1. Bake cake in cupcake pan according to package instructions. Allow to cool.
2. Using a fork, poke holes in the top of the cupcakes.
3. Mix together the blue and red gelatin each with 1 cup of boiling water until dissolved, and then spoon each color gelatin over the cake, making sure to pour over the holes. The best way to do this is a row of blue, then a row of red and alternate so you get a colorful mix of red and blue in the cake. It's good to spoon over each row 2-3 times for good coverage.
4. Next, cream together cream cheese and butter, and then add in the powdered sugar with 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Divide into 3 equal portions and add red food coloring to one and blue to another one, adding a couple drops of food coloring at a time until you get to the desired shade.
5. Add frosting to a tri-color decorating bag to make a red, white and blue frosting design on the cupcakes.