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Strawberry Poke Cake: The Perfect Dessert

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Strawberry poke cake is a perfect dessert if you’re having gatherings with family or friends. They will love you even more once they get a bite of this super light and delicious cake. It’s literally THE BEST.

If you’re new to this cake mix type of cake, it’s hard to describe but I’ll do my best…It’s the perfect combination of light, moist, sweet, melts right in your mouth, and heavenly – all wrapped up in every single bite! Be certain to check out these Strawberry Cheesecake Puffs for another perfect strawberry dessert recipe.

piece of Strawberry Poke Cake on a spatula above the rest of the cake in a glass dish
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About This Cake Mix Strawberry Poke Cake

This super moist cake filled with strawberry goodness will make your sweet tooth happy. Just look at this cake in all its glory! Not only is it Instagram-worthy, but the flavor is out of this world.

If you want to impress your special someone (or maybe you just want to devour this cake by yourself), then this jello poke cake recipe is perfect.

The best thing about it is you don’t have to feel guilty while eating this strawberry poke cake with fresh strawberries because it is filled with so much fruit you’ll think it’s still healthy (and it has to be, right?!).

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Why We Love This Recipe

cake pan full of strawberry poke cake with one piece missing

Ingredients / Shopping List

Strawberry Poke Cake:

  • 1 yellow or white cake mix, prepared 
  • 1 strawberry jello mix, prepared 
  • 10 oz Cool Whip 
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries 

Strawberry Dessert Topping:

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries 
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar 
  • 1 TBL fresh lemon juice 
ingredients needed for strawberry poke cake

Substitutions and Additions 

Strawberry jello mix: If you want more colors and flavors in your cake, you can substitute any flavored gelatin mix for a more exciting slice. This is the perfect way to change up the taste and flavor.

Cool whip: If you don’t have ready-to-use whipped cream in your fridge, you can always make your own homemade heavy whipping cream. Simply combine cold heavy cream, confectioners sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract. Beat it in the mixer at a high-speed setting until you get that whipped cream consistency.

Jello filling: Not everyone is a fan of jello. If you are looking for a great substitute for your jello filling, try using cream cheese instead. In a bowl, add cream cheese and mashed strawberries with sugar. Mix them all together and pour them evenly on your cake. Another substitute for all the sweet tooths out there is sweetened condensed milk. Just get a can of condensed milk and pour it evenly on your cake, making sure all the holes are soaked with this sweet filling.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

How To Make Strawberry Poke Cake

Just a few simple steps are all that you need to whip up this easy cake recipe!

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is being preheated, get a mixing bowl and prepare your yellow/white cake mix according to the directions on the box. I prefer using a 9×13 inch pan for this recipe. Make certain to spray the bottom of the pan with non-stick spray so that the cake won’t stick on the pan. Carefully pour your cake batter into the baking pan and pop it in the oven.

Step 2

While the cake is baking, you can start preparing the strawberry dessert topping. In a medium pan, put the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice together. Turn the stove on to medium heat and cook for about 6 minutes or until you get a thick consistency. 

a pan of strawberries after cooking  on the stove

It will take longer to thicken if you use frozen fruit. You will know the strawberry topping is ready once it coats the back of a spoon. If so, pour it into a heat-proof bowl and set it aside. Don’t forget to use a kitchen glove so you don’t accidentally burn yourself. 

Step 3

Check your cake in the oven. Poke a toothpick in the middle part of the cake and if it comes out clean, then it’s ready to go. Place it on a cooling rack and let it cool for about 15 minutes. 

Step 4

In another bowl, pour boiling water (follow measurements written on the jello pack) on the gelatin mix and stir until all the powder has dissolved. When everything is completely dissolved, transfer it into a jar so you can easily pour it out.

Step 5

Wash the strawberries thoroughly and slice them vertically.  This will later be put on top of the cake at the end for garnishing. 

Step 6

Poke holes in the cake so the jello has a place to go once you pour it in. I used the handle of a wooden spoon and poked in fairly even lines all the way up the cake. 

poking holes in the cake with a handle of the wooden spoon

Step 7

Once you’re done poking the cake, it’s time to pour in the jello you made. Make sure to pour evenly to cover every hole you made. Let it cool.

Step 8

Spread the strawberry dessert topping evenly over the cake. Then, let it cool for a bit longer. 

topping the cake with strawberry topping

Step 9

Once everything is cool, top the cake with cool whipped cream and lay down the sliced strawberries around the cake. You can design the strawberries any way you want. Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.

topping the cake with cool whip and sliced strawberries

Step 10

Slice up your cake with jello and serve chilled. Sit back and enjoy the best strawberry poke cake ever!

close up of a piece of strawberry poke cake

Add-Ins

This strawberry poke cake is perfect itself but if you are looking for something more, here are other things you can add to your cake:

  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Chocolate drizzle

Tips 

  • Use a sharp serrated bread knife to level the top part of your cake. Leveling your cake is not really necessary because it still tastes the same even if you don’t do this part. Although making your cake even will make it easier for you to design it and it will surely look more professional.
  • If you want a more colorful cake, you can add a different food coloring to the jello mix.
  • Make sure to clean your knife after every slice so that the cake won’t look messy and it will retain its beautiful appearance. 
close up of a cake pan full of strawberry poke cake

FAQs

What is it called a poke cake?

It is called a “poke cake” because you’re literally poking holes into the cake after baking it. The holes will then be filled with jello, so you get a taste of all the flavors in every bite. 

How to store left-over strawberry poke cake? 

Transfer the cake into an air-tight container before putting it in the fridge. This way, the cake won’t dry up, and you can enjoy a slice of what’s left of this amazing strawberry poke cake anytime you want. 

Can I only use strawberry-flavored jello?

No, you can be as experimental as you want. If you want a more colorful and flavorful poke cake, you are free to use any flavored gelatin powder you prefer.

slice of strawberry poke cake on a spatula above the rest of the cake in a glass dish

More Cake Recipes

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📋 Recipe

piece of strawberry cake made with a cake mix

Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe

Corinne Schmitt
This is a great cake recipe that tastes amazing!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 yellow or white cake mix prepared
  • 1 strawberry jello mix prepared
  • 10 oz. Cool Whip
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries 

Strawberry Topping

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries 
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar  
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is being preheated, get a mixing bowl and prepare your yellow/white cake mix according to the directions on the box. I prefer using a 9×13 inch pan for this recipe. Make certain to spray the bottom of the pan with non-stick spray so that the cake won’t stick on the pan. Carefully pour your cake batter into the baking pan and pop it in the oven.
  • While the cake is baking, you can start preparing the strawberry dessert topping. In a medium pan, put the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice together. Turn the stove on to medium heat and cook for about 6 minutes or until you get a thick consistency. 
  • It will take longer to thicken if you use frozen fruit. You will know the strawberry topping is ready once it coats the back of a spoon. If so, pour it into a heat-proof bowl and set it aside. Don’t forget to use a kitchen glove so you don’t accidentally burn yourself. 
  • Check your cake in the oven. Poke a toothpick in the middle part of the cake and if it comes out clean, then it’s ready to go. Place it on a cooling rack and let it cool for about 15 minutes. 
  • In another bowl, pour boiling water (follow measurements written on the jello pack) on the gelatin mix and stir until all the powder has dissolved. When everything is completely dissolved, transfer it into a jar so you can easily pour it out.
  • Wash the strawberries thoroughly and slice them vertically.  This will later be put on top of the cake at the end for garnishing. 
  • Poke holes in the cake so the jello has a place to go once you pour it in. I used the handle of a wooden spoon and poke in fairly even lines all the way up the cake. 
  • Once you’re done poking the cake, it’s time to pour in the jello you made. Make sure to pour evenly to cover every hole you made. Let it cool.
  • Spread the strawberry dessert topping evenly over the cake. Then, let it cool for a bit longer. 
  • Once everything is cool, top the cake with cool whipped cream and lay down the sliced strawberries around the cake. You can design the strawberries any way you want. Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.
  • Slice up your cake with jello and serve chilled. Sit back and enjoy the best strawberry poke cake ever!

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 497mgPotassium: 189mgFiber: 2gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 71IUVitamin C: 46mgCalcium: 187mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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a collage of images of making a strawberry poke cake with title text reading Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe

2 thoughts on “Strawberry Poke Cake: The Perfect Dessert”

    • This is a great recipe for anyone who loves strawberries. The combination of light, moist, and sweet makes it have a great flavor. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply

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