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This Pool Party Cake Is So Easy It’s Almost Embarrassing

by Candace Sampson
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

When my kids were little, this cake showed up at the end-of-school-year pool party every. single. year. It was never not a hit—and now that they’re grown, they still ask me to make it. That’s the magic of this ridiculously easy pool party cake: it’s nostalgic, affordable, and it brings joy to any summer celebration.

Kids having fun at a pool party


Let’s be real: custom cakes are expensive. In this economy? No ma’am. We’re DIY’ing it. And you don’t need a fancy baking course or a Pinterest-perfect kitchen to pull it off. If you can pour Jello and unwrap candy, you’ve got this.

Pool Party Cake


It’s sweet. It’s silly. It’s a total crowd-pleaser.

Tips for Success

As of 2025, this cake costs just over $21 CAD to make using standard grocery store items in Canada. That’s a fraction of what you’d pay for a custom cake—and a lot more fun to put together. It’s budget-friendly without looking cheap, and bonus: it tastes just as good as it looks.

  • Use clear vanilla cake or white cake mix to keep colours vibrant.
  • For a gluten-free version, choose a GF cake mix and check your candy labels.
  • Let kids help decorate—it’s half the fun, and honestly, the messier the better.

Not Just for Easter

This Bunny Bait snack mix is just as perfect as a party favour as it is served poolside. Sweet, salty, and totally addictive.

Bunny Bait snack mix in a white bowl with colourful candy

Party-Worthy & Pinterest-Proven

This cake has been pinned, shared, and recreated countless times since I first made it in 2012. It’s the kind of dessert that checks all the boxes: easy to prep, fun to decorate, photogenic, and unforgettable. There’s no pressure to be perfect here—the messier the bears, the more realistic the pool party.

If you’re short on time but still want to bring the wow factor, this is your go-to summer cake. It’s the edible version of throwing on a bathing suit and jumping in without checking the temperature first. Zero regrets.

Pool party cake recipe with blue jello and Teddy Grahams

Why This Pool Party Cake Makes a Splash

This cake isn’t about baking perfection—it’s about joyful memories. I’ve made this for over a decade, and it never fails to deliver smiles. It’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and endlessly customizable. If you’re looking to impress without stress, this is the cake.

You’re not just making dessert. You’re making memories.

Pool Party Cake Recipe with teddy grahams and jello
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Pool Party Cake

A fun and easy cake made with Jello, Teddy Grahams, and candy—perfect for summer birthdays, end-of-school parties, or any casual celebration.

Course Dessert
Keyword cake
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Servings 12
Calories 210 kcal
Author Candace Sampson

Ingredients

  • 1 box cake mix, vanilla works well
  • 2 packages blue Jello
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 4 cups ice cubes
  • 1.5 cups Cool Whip, thawed
  • 1 package Gummy Lifesavers
  • 1 package Striped Sour Belts
  • 1 bag Teddy Grahams
  • 1 Vanilla Wafer

Instructions

  1. Bake the cake according to the box directions in a 9×13 pan. Let it cool completely.

  2. Cut out the pool. Using a serrated knife carefully cut and scoop out a shallow rectangle from the centre of the cake, leaving a 2-inch border on all sides. (Snack on the cake bits—chef's privilege.)

  3. Make the Jello. Stir the boiling water into the Jello powder until fully dissolved. Add the ice cubes and stir until it starts to thicken. Remove any unmelted ice.

  4. Fill the pool. Pour the semi-set Jello into the carved-out centre of the cake. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until fully firm.

  5. Decorate. Frost the cake edges with Cool Whip. Place Teddy Grahams in Gummy Lifesavers as floaties, lay them on sour belts as loungers, and stick one upright at the end of a vanilla wafer diving board. Line the sides of the cake with peach rings or whatever round candy you have on hand.

Nutrition Facts
Pool Party Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 Calories from Fat 32
% Daily Value*
Fat 3.6g6%
Saturated Fat 1.7g11%
Sodium 108mg5%
Carbohydrates 47g16%
Sugar 34g38%
Protein 0.8g2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

FAQ: Pool Party Cake Edition

Can I make this cake the night before?

Yes! In fact, it’s better when the Jello has had time to set fully. Just wait to decorate the top until closer to serving so everything stays fresh.

Can I use homemade cake instead of a boxed mix?

Absolutely. Any vanilla or white cake recipe will work. The boxed mix just makes life easier.

What if I don’t have Teddy Grahams?

Mini animal crackers or gummy bears can work in a pinch—just get creative.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Yes. Use a gluten-free cake mix and double-check all your candies for hidden gluten ingredients.

Do I have to use Cool Whip?

Purists might not love it, but Cool Whip is actually the best choice here. Fresh whipped cream won’t hold up well once the cake is chilled with Jello—it breaks down too quickly. You want something that stays fluffy and holds its shape, and Cool Whip delivers every time.

For the Grownups

These Margarita Freezies are perfect for cooling off poolside—just be sure to keep them out of reach of the kids. Adults only, please.

Homemade lime margarita freezies in plastic tubes

Looking for More Easy Pool Party Recipes ?

If you’re making a full meal, here are some summer-time suggestions that everyone loves. Start with my Broccoli Salad—it’s so good even veggie haters will eat it happily. Pair it with Macaroni Salad and Barbecue Ribs with a Cherry Glaze for an easy outdoor feast that checks every box.

Updated July 11, 2025

Category: Desserts, Food & Drink, RecipesTag: DIY birthday cake, easy jello cake, fun cakes for kids, kid-friendly dessert, Life in Pleasantville, pool cake idea, Pool Party Cake, summer birthday cake, teddy graham cake

About Candace Sampson

Candace Sampson is the founder of Life in Pleasantville and the host of What She Said, Canada’s longest-running women’s talk show turned podcast. A trusted voice in Canadian lifestyle and travel media for over a decade, Candace blends storytelling with sharp insight to connect with women on everything from solo travel to social issues. She’s also the creator of Girl Trips, a women-focused retreat and travel brand. Find her on Instagram @candace_said @whatshesaidtalk and @girltrips.ca

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara

    at

    Fantastic idea!!! I can’t wait to make it with my daughter!!!
    Thanks, Tara

  2. Sharon

    at

    Super cute! I’ll hire you the next time I need a cake!

  3. Michelle

    at

    That is so awesome!!!! The kids will go crazy over this! I know what I’m making this party weekend!
    Thanks! Michelle

  4. Candace

    at

    How did it go Michelle?

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