4th of July American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake – Easy Patriotic Dessert Recipe
4th of July American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake
Get ready for an delicious and colorful dessert, an American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake! White cake mix, fresh fruit and a delicious cool whip and cream cheese frosting come together in this refreshing dessert.
This is a fun one to have the kiddos help decorate. We’ve made this cake for a few forth of July celebrations now and it is always a hit.
An alternative and even simpler way of making this cake would be to use raspberries instead of the strawberries for the decoration on top. You could even use raspberry Jell-O as well. Enjoy!
Looking for a show-stopping yet easy 4th of July dessert that will wow your guests and taste like summer in every bite? Look no further than the American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake—a nostalgic classic that combines light cake, sweet strawberry Jell-O, whipped topping, and a fresh berry flag design.
This red, white, and blue dessert isn’t just eye-catching—it’s also budget-friendly, make-ahead, and super simple, even for beginner bakers. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your Independence Day party, potluck, or BBQ.
🎯 Why This Dessert Is a Must-Make for July 4th
Let’s be honest: we all want a dish that screams “USA!” without keeping us in the kitchen all day. That’s where this flag cake shines.
4th of July American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake
Here’s why it’s become a 4th of July favorite:
- 🇺🇸 Patriotic presentation – The American flag made from blueberries and strawberries is always a crowd-pleaser.
- 🎂 Easy ingredients – Starts with a boxed white cake mix for convenience.
- ❄️ Serve chilled – Perfect for hot summer days.
- 👩👧👦 Family-friendly – Kids love helping with the Jell-O and decorating.
- 🍓 Bursting with berry flavor – Light, fruity, and refreshing.
This isn’t just a cake—it’s a conversation starter, a festive photo op, and the kind of dessert that gets requested year after year.
🧁 What Is a Poke Cake?
A poke cake is exactly what it sounds like: a sheet cake that’s poked full of holes after baking, then filled with something flavorful—like pudding, Jell-O, or sweetened condensed milk. The filling soaks into the cake, creating beautiful ribbons of flavor and color throughout.
For this American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake, we use strawberry gelatin (Jell-O) to add both a vivid red color and fruity flavor. Once chilled and topped with whipped cream and berries, it becomes the ultimate patriotic treat.
📋 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this festive dessert:
For the Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed)
- 1 box (3 oz) strawberry Jell-O
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
For the Topping:
- 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 1½ pints fresh strawberries, sliced
👩🍳 How to Make American Flag Strawberry Poke Cake
This recipe is as easy as it is beautiful—perfect for busy holiday weekends!
Step 1: Bake the Cake
- Prepare and bake the white cake mix in a 9×13-inch pan, following box instructions.
- Allow it to cool for about 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Poke the Cake
- Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a thick straw to poke holes all over the cake, about 1 inch apart.
Step 3: Add the Jell-O
- In a bowl, whisk the strawberry Jell-O with 1 cup of boiling water until fully dissolved.
- Stir in ½ cup of cold water.
- Carefully pour the Jell-O mixture evenly over the poked cake.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight) to let the flavors absorb.
Step 4: Frost the Cake
- Once the cake is set and chilled, spread whipped topping evenly across the surface.
Step 5: Decorate with Berries
- Create a rectangle in the top-left corner using blueberries to mimic the stars.
- Use sliced strawberries in rows to create red stripes across the rest of the cake.
- Leave white space between rows to represent the white stripes.
Step 6: Chill & Serve
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice carefully to maintain the flag design.
💡 Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use a white cake for best color contrast. Yellow or butter cake can dull the red from the Jell-O.
- Don’t skip the chill time—it helps the Jell-O fully set inside the cake.
- Use fresh, dry berries to avoid the whipped topping getting soggy.
- Cut with a hot knife (dipped in warm water and wiped dry) for the cleanest slices.
🎉 Variations & Add-Ons
Want to get creative with your poke cake? Here are some fun twists:
- 🫐 Blue raspberry or berry blast Jell-O for a blue-and-red combo inside.
- 🍰 Homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip for a richer topping.
- 🍓 Strawberry preserves between the cake and topping for extra berry flavor.
- 🧁 Cupcake version: Bake in a muffin tin and decorate each one with mini flags.
🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Info
This dessert is ideal for making ahead, making it perfect for busy hosts:
- Make 1 day in advance and keep covered in the fridge.
- Decorate up to 6 hours before serving for freshest appearance.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days (note: whipped topping may soften slightly).
📲 Share Your Flag Cake on Social Media
This cake is practically made for sharing on Instagram and Pinterest. If you’re a food blogger or content creator, this is your golden moment!
Suggested Captions:
- “Stars, stripes, and strawberries 🇺🇸🍓 #4thOfJulyDessert”
- “This Flag Cake is as easy as it is festive! Perfect for July 4th parties! 🎉”
- “Whipped, poked, and ready to party. 🍰💙❤️”
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