Patriotic Poke Cake White Ganache (Print Version)

Festive sheet cake with red and blue gelatin stripes, white chocolate ganache and whipped cream—perfect for celebrations.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cake

01 - 1 box white cake mix (approximately 15.25 oz/432 g)
02 - Ingredients required for cake mix (usually eggs, oil, and water; see package instructions)

→ Gelatin Filling

03 - 1 box (3 oz/85 g) strawberry or cherry flavored gelatin
04 - 1 box (3 oz/85 g) blue raspberry or berry blue flavored gelatin
05 - 2 cups (480 ml) boiling water (divided: 1 cup per gelatin flavor)
06 - 2 cups (480 ml) cold water (divided: 1 cup per gelatin flavor)

→ White Chocolate Ganache

07 - 8 oz (225 g) white chocolate, finely chopped
08 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

→ Topping

09 - 1 cup (240 ml) whipped cream or whipped topping
10 - Red, white, and blue sprinkles or fresh berries (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. Prepare the white cake mix according to package instructions. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake as directed, usually 25–30 minutes. Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes.
02 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cooled cake, spacing about 1 inch apart. Do not poke all the way to the bottom.
03 - In two separate medium bowls, dissolve each gelatin flavor in 1 cup boiling water. Stir each until fully dissolved, then add 1 cup cold water to each and stir again.
04 - Gently pour both red and blue gelatin mixtures into alternate holes in the cake, using a spoon or small measuring cup for precision. Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours to allow gelatin to set.
05 - Place chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat heavy cream until just simmering, then pour over the chocolate. Let rest for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Allow ganache to cool until thickened slightly but still pourable.
06 - Pour ganache evenly over chilled cake. Let sit for 15–20 minutes to set.
07 - Spread whipped cream over ganache and decorate with sprinkles or fresh berries.
08 - Chill cake until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy!

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The moment you slice it, those red and blue stripes are a guaranteed conversation starter—no one expects cake to be this much fun.
  • Between the plush crumb, fruity gelatin, and creamy ganache, every bite delivers a different delight—which is probably why people always ask for seconds.
02 -
  • If you poke holes too deep, the gelatin pools at the bottom and turns the cake soggy—poke just halfway through for best stripes.
  • Let the cake come to room temp before pouring on ganache or it sets too quickly and gets lumpy.
03 -
  • If you want crisp clean layers, use a small measuring cup or spoon to control how much gelatin goes in each hole.
  • I always set my ganache bowl on the counter for a few extra minutes before pouring, so it doesn’t melt the whipped topping.
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