Lemon-Lime Refrigerator Cake

(This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with the Meijer ad week of 2/24/13 - 3/2/13)

If you liked light and fluffy (non-chocolate!) Strawberry Cake, then you've got to try this dessert.  Lemon-Lime Refrigerator Cake comes together super fast because it uses convenience items...but the results taste like you've been slaving for hours.  It's moist and delicious, and is sure to disappear quickly!

Ingredients:
1 package lemon cake mix
eggs, oil, water, as called for on the box instructions
1   3oz pkg lime jello (yes, I know the 6 oz box is on sale this week, but just use half of it for the purpose of this recipe)
1 8oz container Cool Whip or generic whipped topping, thawed
1 3oz pkg INSTANT lemon pudding
1 1/2 C cold milk

Directions:
Dissolve 3 oz of lime jello in 3/4 C boiling water.  Stir in 1/2 C cold water, and set aside (don't refrigerate).  Mix cake according to directions on the box, adding eggs, oil, and water per the instructions.  Bake in a 9x13 pan according to the instructions on the box.  Cool 25 minutes.  Poke lots of holes in the top of the cake, using a fork.  Twist the fork slightly when you poke, so that the holes are wide enough to absorb/hold liquid.  Slowly and carefully, pour the lime jello mixture over top of the cake, making sure that most of the liquid ends up in the holes (although it's OK if some of it ends up running off the sides of the cake).  Allow to cool completely.  Meanwhile, wisk lemon pudding with milk until thickened.  Fold in whipped topping and use this mixture to frost the cooled cake.  Store in refrigerator.

Options and Tips:

• Make sure your cake is not even slightly warm when you frost it.  The pudding/whipped topping will melt and make a huge mess.
• You can customize this cake by using other flavors of cake, pudding, and jello.  Try chocolate cake, cherry jello, and chocolate pudding.  Or pineapple cake, orange jello, and coconut cream frosting.

This recipe, in its original form, can be found on page 74 of Adams Christian School's Kitchen Kaleidoscope cookbook.  I made a few changes to the ingredients and instructions.