Memorial Day Red White Blue (Print view)

White cake swirled with red and blue gelatin, chilled and topped with whipped topping and patriotic sprinkles.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cake

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
02 - 1 cup water
03 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 - 3 large eggs

→ Gelatin

05 - 1 box (3 oz) strawberry or cherry-flavored gelatin
06 - 1 box (3 oz) berry blue gelatin
07 - 2 cups boiling water, divided
08 - 2 cups cold water, divided

→ Topping

09 - 1 tub (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
10 - 2 tablespoons red, white, and blue sprinkles or nonpareils
11 - Fresh strawberries and blueberries for garnish (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix with 1 cup water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 3 large eggs; beat with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth and uniform.
03 - Pour batter into the prepared 9x13-inch pan and bake 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
04 - Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or similar tool, poke holes evenly across the surface about 1 inch apart.
05 - In separate heatproof bowls, dissolve the red gelatin in 1 cup boiling water and the blue gelatin in 1 cup boiling water; once dissolved, stir 1/2 cup cold water into each bowl.
06 - Carefully spoon or pour the red gelatin into roughly half of the holes and the blue gelatin into the remaining holes so the colors distribute across the cake.
07 - Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, or until the gelatin is fully set.
08 - Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake, then sprinkle with the red, white, and blue sprinkles. Arrange fresh strawberries and blueberries across the top if using.
09 - Slice into 12 portions and serve chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It’s so simple that even if you get distracted by conversation, the end result is still a stunner.
  • The chilled cake is bliss on a hot day and always has everyone reaching for seconds before you know it.
02 -
  • If you don’t poke holes deep enough, the gelatin won’t get into the center of the cake—I learned this one the sticky way.
  • Adding sprinkles too early makes the colors bleed, so wait until the very last minute to scatter them on top.
03 -
  • Pour the gelatin slowly and directly into each hole for vibrant color stripes; don’t rush this step.
  • A plastic squeeze bottle makes pouring the gelatin tidy and precise, especially for little hands helping out.
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