Easy 4th of July Poke Cake

Have you ever needed a dessert that instantly makes everyone go "wow" without requiring you to spend hours in the kitchen? This 4th of July poke cake is exactly that kind of treat!

My family literally gasped when I pulled this colorful creation out of the fridge last summer. The beautiful red, white, and blue swirls paired with creamy cheesecake pudding make this the perfect patriotic dessert for your Independence Day celebration.

If you're looking for more festive treats, you might also enjoy my 4th of July Cupcakes or my show-stopping 4th of July Firecracker Cake that always disappears in minutes at our neighborhood gatherings!

Why You Will Love This 4th of July Poke Cake

• Super easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have
• Creates a stunning patriotic display with minimal effort
• Incredibly moist thanks to the pudding that soaks into each bite
• Perfect make-ahead dessert (actually tastes better after chilling overnight!)
• Guaranteed to impress guests at your 4th of July celebration
• Kid-friendly recipe that the whole family will love
• Easily customizable with different pudding flavors or toppings

Simple Ingredients for Your Patriotic Poke Cake

• 1 box white cake mix
• Ingredients listed on the box (eggs, water, oil)
• 2 (3.4 oz.) boxes instant cheesecake pudding
• 3 ½ cups milk
• 2 ½ cups heavy cream
• ¼ cup powdered sugar (or more to taste)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Blue and red food coloring
• Patriotic sprinkles for garnish

How to Make This 4th of July Poke Cake

Preparing the Colorful Cake Batter

1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box. Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish, give it a good spray with baking spray, and set it aside.
2. Mix up the cake batter according to the directions on the box. I usually use my stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works just fine too!
3. Now for the fun part! Divide the cake mixture into 3 equal portions in separate bowls. Keep one portion white (no coloring). Add red food coloring to the second portion, and blue coloring to the third.
4. Stir each until the colors are completely incorporated. (I find gel food coloring works best for vibrant patriotic colors!)

1. Using a spoon, quickly drop small dollops of each colored batter into the greased baking dish. I like to work with one color at a time, leaving a few inches between drops.
2. Continue with the next color until the bottom of the dish is covered. This random approach creates those beautiful red, white, and blue swirls!
3. Add another layer of colored drops on top until you've used all the batter. Don't worry about making it perfect – the random pattern creates that beautiful swirl effect!
4. Gently tap the baking dish on the counter a few times to flatten the surface.
5. Important tip: don't spread with a spatula or you'll mix the colors together too much!
6. If you want a more marbled look, take a toothpick and lightly swirl the colors just a bit. Remember, you want the colors swirled but not completely mixed together.
7. Bake according to the directions on the box, usually about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Adding the Creamy Pudding Layer

1. When the cake has been out of the oven for about 10 minutes (it should still be warm), grab a wooden spoon and use the handle end to poke holes all over the cake.
2. I make holes about 1 inch apart across the entire surface. This is what makes it a true poke cake – these holes will fill with pudding for amazing moisture!
3. Allow the cake to cool completely after poking the holes. This usually takes about 30-45 minutes.

1. You can speed it up by placing it in the refrigerator if you're in a hurry like I always am!
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant cheesecake pudding and milk until the pudding powder is dissolved. Work quickly before it sets completely!
3. Pour the pudding mixture over the cake, making sure to fill all those holes you poked. I like to use the back of a spoon to gently push the pudding into the holes.
4. Spread any remaining pudding evenly over the top of the cake.
5. Place the cake in the refrigerator to allow the pudding to set completely, at least 1-2 hours. (Honestly, this 4th of July poke cake really benefits from chilling overnight if you can plan ahead!)

Adding the Fluffy Whipped Cream Topping

1. When you're ready to serve (or a few hours before your party), it's time to add the finishing touch – fresh whipped cream! In a large bowl, combine the chilled heavy cream and vanilla extract.
2. Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
3. Add the powdered sugar gradually and continue beating until stiff peaks form. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

1. Spread the freshly whipped cream over the pudding layer in an even, fluffy cloud.
2. Decorate the top with patriotic sprinkles just before serving.
3. For an extra festive touch for your 4th of July poke cake, you can arrange fresh strawberries and blueberries on top in a flag pattern! This adds both flavor and more red, white, and blue colors.

Storage Tips for Your Patriotic Poke Cake

• This 4th of July poke cake must be stored in the refrigerator due to the dairy content. Cover with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.
• The cake actually tastes even better after chilling overnight, making it the perfect make-ahead dessert for your busy holiday schedule!
• For the freshest presentation, I recommend adding the whipped cream topping and sprinkles no more than 4 hours before serving.
• Leftovers will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, though the sprinkles may start to bleed colors into the whipped cream after the first day.
• This cake does not freeze well due to the pudding and whipped cream, so plan to enjoy it within a few days of making.
• If you're taking this to a potluck, keep it in a cooler with ice packs until ready to serve – especially on hot summer days!

Creative Variations for 4th of July Poke Cake

If you want to put your own spin on this patriotic poke cake, here are some ideas:

• Different Pudding Flavors: Try vanilla, white chocolate, or strawberry pudding instead of cheesecake.
• Cake Mix Options: While white cake works best to show the colors, you could use vanilla or even a strawberry cake mix for the red portion!
• Topping Ideas: Instead of homemade whipped cream, you could use store-bought whipped topping for an even quicker dessert.
• You could also try a cream cheese frosting for a tangier flavor. I made this version last year and my daughter Emily couldn't stop eating it!
• Filling Alternatives: Some of my readers have used flavored gelatin instead of pudding for a lighter, fruitier version.
• Try using berry blue and cherry gelatin for a truly patriotic treat! The colors pop even more dramatically with gelatin.
• Fruit Addition: Add layers of fresh berries between the cake and pudding layers for extra freshness and flavor.
• Strawberries and blueberries are perfect for the red, white, and blue theme!
• Boozy Version: For an adults-only party, try adding a splash of white rum or vodka to the pudding mixture for a subtly spiked dessert. (This is what I make for our neighborhood block party—always a hit!)

Frequently Asked Questions About Poke Cake

More Patriotic Desserts to Complete Your 4th of July

Looking for more red, white, and blue treats for your Independence Day celebration? Check out these other festive recipes:

• 4th of July Oreo Balls - These no-bake treats are perfect for hot summer days!
• 4th of July Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Elegant yet simple patriotic treats
• Red White and Blue Popsicles - A refreshing way to cool down on Independence Day
• 4th of July Meringue Cookies - Light, crisp, and perfectly patriotic

The 4th of July poke cake has become a tradition in our home, and I bet it will become one in yours too!

There's something so satisfying about cutting into this cake and seeing those perfect red, white, and blue swirls. Every time I make it, my daughter Emily asks if she can have the first piece—and of course, I let her!

Have you tried making a poke cake before? They're seriously one of the easiest desserts ever, but they always look like you spent hours in the kitchen. That's my kind of recipe!

I'd love to hear if you try this patriotic poke cake and what your family thinks of it. Leave a comment below or tag me in your photos if you share them online!