Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (2024)

Julie Clark

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3 layers of lemon in this Triple Lemon Poke Cake. Lemon cake infused with lemon jello, topped with lemon curd and Cool Whip.

As soon as the warmer weather hits, I start craving all things lemon. Sometimes I want a 100% from scratch, double layer lemon cake with lemon frosting. And other times I need something quick, easy and refreshing.

This Triple Lemon Poke Cake fits that second category. It bakes up so pretty, you’d never know it started with a box cake mix!

Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (2)

Why you’ll love this cake:

  • Triple the lemon flavor: lemon cake, lemon jello and lemon curd.
  • Semi-homemade with a cake mix.
  • Recipe variations using homemade lemon curd and whipped cream.
  • A great make ahead cake.
  • Refreshing and cool for summer.

Lemon Curd in Cake

You may think that lemon cake with lemon Jello set inside is enough of a blast of lemon. But I LOVE lemon curd. It’s sweet & tangy and oh so smooth. It’s perfect for adding to desserts, so I knew a layer of curd on top of this poke cake would be amazing.

I used two 10 ounce jars of lemon curd when I pictured this cake. Dickinson’s lemon curd is a great brand. You can also make your own homemade lemon curd. Use about 1 ¾ cups.

  • Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (3)
  • Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (4)
  • Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (5)
  • Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (6)
  • Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (7)
  • Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (8)

Tips for Making Triple Lemon Poke Cake

  • Plan a little in advance for making this cake. You’ll have to let the cake cool, so leave yourself at least 2-3 hours for baking and assembling the cake. Most of that will be hands-off time.
  • I used a lemon cake mix. Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines both have great cake mixes. If the ounces are off slightly, it’s ok. You can just prepare the lemon cake as it says on the back of the box you buy.
  • Jello will soak into the cake easily. Use just a fork, toothpick or wooden skewer to poke holes into the cake. You don’t have to wait until the cake is completely cooled. Letting it sit for about 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven should be fine.
  • Wait until the cake has cooled for an hour before spreading on the lemon curd and cream. If you want, you can make a homemade whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip.
Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (9)

Storage Instructions

You can make this cake up to a day in advance. Cover it and refrigerate until serving.

Triple Lemon Poke Cake

4.77 from 17 votes

3 layers of lemon in this Triple Lemon Poke Cake. Lemon cake infused with lemon jello, topped with lemon curd and Cool Whip.

Servings 15

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Chill Time 1 hour hour

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Ingredients

For the cake:

For the Jello Layer:

  • 3 ounces lemon jello
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • ½ cup cold water

For the Lemon Curd Layer:

  • 1 3/4 cups lemon curd (2 10 ounce jars of Dickinson's lemon curd)

For the Topping:

  • 8 ounces Cool Whip thawed
  • Lemon slices/zest to decorate the top

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray.

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer), mix the cake mix, milk, eggs and oil for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.

  • Bake for 21-26 minutes or until the center of the cake bounces back when you touch it.

  • Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes, then poke holes all over the top of the cake using a long-tined fork or a skewer.

  • Mix the jello powder with the boiling water. Use a whisk to stir until the powder dissolves. Then mix in the cold water.

  • Pour the jello over the cake so that it soaks into the holes.

  • Allow the cake to cool for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

  • Spread lemon curd evenly over the top of the cake.

  • Then spread Cool Whip evenly on top of the lemon curd.

  • Decorate with lemon zest or sliced lemons.

  • Store in the refrigerator until serving.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the cake being cut into 15 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 320

Keyword fruit cake, poke cake

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

Other Poke Cake Recipes to Love

Poke cakes are perfect for any season! Here you’ll find everything from pumpkin poke cakes to tiramisu to tropical jello poke cakes.

Triple Lemon Poke Cake with Whipped Cream | The Best Cake Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why is my poke cake soggy? ›

Make sure the holes aren't too close together or too far apart—if they're too close together, your cake could be too moist; if they're too far apart, there may not be enough filling throughout the cake.

How do you keep a cake from getting soggy? ›

Adjusting the cooking time and temperature

If your cake has a soggy middle, the first thing to try is bringing the temperature down a little and baking for slightly longer. I'd suggest reducing the temperature by 20 degrees and increasing the baking time for 7 minutes.

How do you keep a cake super moist? ›

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time
  1. Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
  2. Add Vegetable Oil.
  3. Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
  4. Use the Right Recipe.
  5. Don't Overbake.
  6. Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
  7. Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.
Apr 23, 2021

Can you add sweetened condensed milk to cake mix? ›

Sweetened condensed milk can be added directly to your cake mix in moderation or used as a delicious frosting alternative.

How long is poke cake good for in the fridge? ›

Store the Jell-O poke cake, tightly covered with storage wrap or foil, in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Why does my cake have a hole in the bottom? ›

When the batter is not mixed improperly, concentrated areas of leavening agents in the batter can create holes in the cake. Sift or whisk dry ingredients and be sure to have the ingredients at room temperature to help the batter mix better.

Why did my cake turn out soggy? ›

Odds are you didn't bake it long enough, or you added too much leavening. Underbaking is easy if you don't know what temperature your oven is at. Home ovens can vary a bit from the temperature shown on the display. Always use a tester to check that the midfle of a cake is done.

What to do if your cake has a soggy bottom? ›

There are a few things you can do to fix a soggy bottom cake:
  1. Use parchment paper. ...
  2. Grease the pan well. ...
  3. Use a lower oven temperature. ...
  4. Don't overbake the cake. ...
  5. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Apr 1, 2020

How do you fix a soggy cake top? ›

You can also place your baked items in the fridge for a half hour, and this should cool and dry the surface as well. The fridge is known to be a dry environment as it naturally dehumidifies air by cooling the insides. Just don't leave it in there too long uncovered because it will completely dry out your baked goods!

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