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Rainbow Unicorn Poke Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for unicorn cake ideas, give this unicorn poke cake a try. The colorful stripes in the slices are sure to bring out the smiles at your next magical event.

There are so many ways to make a unicorn birthday cake. All you really need are delicious and colorful desserts to make your fantastical party a hit.

This unicorn cake recipe is a wonderful option that’s fun to make with the kids or surprise them with the pops of color as you slice!

Rainbow poke cake on a white plate on a pink table with milk.

Colorful Unicorn Poke Cake Recipe

If you’ve ever had a poke cake you know you’re in for a treat. Pouring gelatin or pudding into the holes of a baked good not only adds color, but also flavor and moisture. The technique gives you beautiful slices with extra taste and texture.

The rainbow of colors is what makes this cake fit for a unicorn party. Of course, you can play around with your favorite color combos to fit your party theme. This recipe is an excellent opportunity to get creative. We also have a light and creamy banana poke cake that’s out of this world delicious. For another unicorn option, try this unicorn bread for a colorful and fun-to-eat treat.

Bowl of cake ingredients.

What you need to make a unicorn poke cake

Here’s what you need to make this poke cake recipe. The measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

  • White cake mix
  • Water
  • Vegetable oil
  • Eggs
  • Boiling water
  • Strawberry gelatin
  • Grape gelatin
  • Blue Raspberry gelatin
  • Cool Whip
  • Food coloring and sprinkles

Steps to make the Rainbow Poke Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Plain cake in a pan.

Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cake in a pan with holes poked in it.

Allow the cake to cool, then using the handle of a wooden spoon poke holes over each inch of the cake. Set aside.

Bowls of jello in front of a cake.

In three small bowls, combine each gelatin package with 1 cup boiling water. Whisk together until fully combined.

Spoonful of jello over a poke cake.

Use a Tablespoon to pour gelatin mixture into the holes in cake, alternating colors according to preference until each hole has been filled. Do not use all the gelatin.

Jello in holes of a poke cake.

Place the cake into the refrigerator and let it cool for 2 hours.

White frosting on a cake.

If desired, color the whipped topping and spread over the cooled cake and top with sprinkles before serving.

Fork with cake on it in front of a poke cake on a plate.

Be sure to have an extra dish ready for the leftover gelatin. It will be enough for additional treats!

Unicorn poke cake on a plate with a pink background.

Unicorn Poke Cake Recipe Notes and FAQ

Too much gelatin?

You will have leftover gelatin while making this recipe. Prepare an additional pan to make gelatin jigglers. You can also layer the gelatin like we did in our stained-glass jelly cubes or rainbow layered cups.

Fork with cake on it with a slice of poke cake on a plate.

What should I use to poke holes in the cake?

A wooden spoon works best. Space the holes about 1 inch apart. If they are too close together you will not get a good stripe pattern and the cake will be mushy.

Unicorn poke cake on a white plate.

Does this poke cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes, you should keep this cake in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Colorful cake on a plate with milk and more cake in the background.

Can I make poke cake the day before an event?

This poke cake is best enjoyed the day you make it. It will still be good the next day, but the colors may bleed together.

Yield: 1 13×9 inch cake

Unicorn Poke Cake

Rainbow poke cake on a white plate on a pink table with milk.

A colorful and delicious rainbow poke cake that's perfect for a unicorn party.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 cups boiling water, divided
  • 1 3 oz package strawberry gelatin mix
  • 1 3 oz package grape gelatin mix
  • 1 3 oz package blue raspberry gelatin mix
  • 1 8 ounce package of Cool Whip, whipped topping
  • Optional: food coloring and sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  3. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  4. Allow the cake to cool, then using the handle of a wooden spoon poke holes over each inch of the cake. Set aside.
  5. In three small bowls, combine each gelatin package with 1 cup boiling water. Whisk together until fully combined.
  6. Use a Tablespoon to pour gelatin mixture into the holes in cake, alternating colors according to preference until each hole has been filled. Do not use all the gelatin.
  7. Place the cake into the refrigerator and let it cool for 2 hours.
  8. If desired, color the whipped topping and spread over the cooled cake and top with sprinkles before serving.

Notes

You will have lots of gelatin leftover, so be sure to prepare a glass pan for some jelly jigglers!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

28

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 42mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 1g

Nutrition facts are an estimate only.

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Rainbow striped cake on a plate. 

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