Jello Cake Recipe

a slice of orange jello cake topped with vanilla cool whip frosting and a mandarin orange slice

Jello cake is a vintage recipe that is a perfect dessert for family gatherings, sure to put a smile on everyone's face. A delicious cake that is so easy to make!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword jello cake recipe, vintage jell-o poke cake

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 23

Servings

Calories 327kcal

Author Jill McOwen

Ingredients

1 15.25-ounce box cake mix I used Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
1 cup cold water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 3-ounce box orange Jello
1 cup boiling water
1 3.4-ounce box vanilla instant Jello pudding
1 cup cold milk
1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 9x13 inch cake pan.
Follow the directions on the back of the box of cake mix.
Add the cake mix, one cup of cold water, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 3 large eggs to a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to mix on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Beat the cake mix on medium speed for two minutes. Pour the cake mix into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake the cake according to box directions. Mine was fully baked in 23 minutes.
Allow the cake to cool on the counter for about 20 minutes.
Bring the second cup of water to a boil in the microwave. Combine the orange Jello with the boiling water and stir to make sure all the Jello is melted into the water.
Use a metal chopstick or the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the top of the cooled cake, about 1 inch apart. Evenly pour the liquid orange Jello over the top of the cake. Allow the cake to cool and fully absorb the Jello, for about 30 minutes.
Then in a clean large bowl, use a whisk to combine the vanilla instant pudding and 1 cup of cold milk. Whisk for about one minute. Then add the Cool Whip and vanilla extract and whisk again until smooth.
Use an offset spatula to evenly frost the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator for about one hour before slicing and serving.
Slice the cake into 12 pieces. Top each square slice of cake with a mandarin orange.

Nutrition