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 [easyazon_link identifier="B009D9Z7TS" locale="US" tag="allshecooksblog-20"]squeeze bottle[/easyazon_link]. 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 [easyazon_link identifier="B00KS9T77K" locale="US" tag="allshecooksblog-20"]Amazon[/easyazon_link].

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.

top-down view of blue gelatin being poured onto the top of poke cupcakes

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.

top down view of red gelatin being pored onto the top of poke cupcakes

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.

one unwrapped patriotic poke cupcake in front of two other patriotic poke cupcakes sitting on top of red white and blue striped table runner

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

Recipe

Patriotic Poke Cupcakes

Yield Servings 24 cupcakes
Prep Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Cook Time 18 mins
Total Total Time 38 mins

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 food coloring
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.