Hi Mary,
It sounds like your friend is thinking of poke cake. Here is a recipe, which is made in a 9x13 pan, but you can also make it in two layers and use a different color jello for each layer.

JELLO POKE CAKE

1 lg. box strawberry jello (This can also be made with any other flavor)
1 lg. Cool Whip
1 Duncan Hines white cake mix prepared as directed

Prepare Jello as directed, but omit the cold water. DO NOT REFRIGERATE. Let set at room temperature. Bake cake, using a 9x13 inch pan. Let cool. Poke holes in cake with a large fork or the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour Jello over cake and refrigerate at least two hours. Frost with Cool Whip before serving.