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If you’re looking for an easy dessert recipe that’s sure to make everyone smile, you’ll love this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake!
This fruity, fun cake made with a white cake mix is perfect for all your spring and summertime celebrations. It’s light, sweet, and made with strawberry jello and cool whip – what’s not to love?!
Top with a few fresh strawberries and this is sure to be one of your favorite poke cake recipes!
An Easy Poke Cake Recipe
Birthday parties, 4th of July block parties, backyard barbecues, pool parties, you name it – every summer celebration is the perfect excuse to make this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake!
One of the best things about this jello poke cake recipe is just how easy it really is to whip up. You only need 5 very simple, inexpensive ingredients, and about an hour of baking and cooling time. Plus, the steps couldn’t be much easier to follow!
This is a foolproof recipe that you’ll want to make over and over again.
The best thing about this entire cake is that it’s made from a boxed cake mix! This will be your little secret because it legit tastes like a homemade cake!
Everyone will love this easy strawberry jello poke cake because of the extra flavor that comes with every bite. Just be sure to follow the box directions on the back of the box so that you’re getting the best results.
(Looking for another classic strawberry dessert? Try my Strawberry Pretzel Dessert too!)
INGREDIENTS
- White Cake Mix – Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines are my choice of tried and true cake mixes! However, there are plenty of other brands that will also work in this strawberry poke cake, and you could even use strawberry cake mix for more berry flavor.
- Water – For the jello mixture to come out perfect, you’ll need to boil the water. Not just warm it up – fully boil it until there are bubbles!
- Strawberry Jello – A little tip – when working with jello, it occasionally doesn’t come out perfect. These boxes are cheap, so make sure to buy an extra one just in case the first batch doesn’t provide the desired results.
- Whipped Topping – It doesn’t get much better than Cool Whip, does it? I don’t think any summertime recipes would be complete without a dollop!
- Strawberries – Summertime means something very important… The strawberries are fresh and juicy this time of year! Skip the lackluster frozen stuff and buy a container of fresh, juicy strawberries.
This cake will cost you under $10. If you’re on a budget, this recipe will be your new best friend!
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY CAKE MIX RECIPE
STEP 1. PREPARE
Preheat the oven to 350°F. While that’s heating up, spray the bottom of a 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray.
STEP 2. TIME FOR CAKE
Before you start using any of the other ingredients, prepare the cake as directed on the box.
STEP 3. BAKE AND COOL
Bake the white cake for approximately 28 to 32 minutes. The best way to check for doneness is to use the toothpick method! Simply insert the toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready to be removed from the oven. If it’s not clean, allow the cake to cook for another 3 minutes or so. When it’s fully cooked, allow the cake to cool for about 20 minutes.
STEP 4. MAKE THE JELLO AND POKE
Pour the boiling water onto the jello powder and stir until the powder is dissolved. Then, add holes to the cooled white cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. Carefully pour the strawberry gelatin evenly over the top of the cake. Let it cool completely!
STEP 4. SERVE AND ENJOY!
Spread the whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake. Cut the cake into squares, then add freshly sliced strawberries on top of each slice. Enjoy your picturesque poke cake!
VARIATIONS TO TRY
This jello poke cake is a tried and true classic recipe! However, there are a few fun ways to shake things up a bit. Be sure to try some of these variations!
- Strawberry is my favorite flavor because it says “summer” like no other flavor to me! However, you can make this poke cake with just about any jello flavor you can get your hands on. Lemon, orange, and cherry jello would all be delicious with this white cake mix recipe.
- To emphasize the strawberry flavor even more, consider adding a few drops of strawberry extract to the cake mix or whipped cream topping! Be careful, though, because a little strawberry extract goes a long way. You want an additional hint of strawberry, not an overpowering amount of it! Just 3 or 4 drops should do the trick.
- If you’re making this cake for the 4th of July, toss some blueberries on top of the cake! In fact, you could make an adorable American flag out of whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries.
FAQS
Can you change up the flavor of this cake?
You bet! This is the best part! You can turn this strawberry poke cake recipe into a totally different flavor by using a chocolate cake mix!
How do you store leftover cake?
The best way to store this perfect summer dessert is to have it in an airtight container. It needs to be kept cool in the fridge.
This strawberry jello poke cake is inexpensive, easy to make, and perfectly festive for spring and summer. What are you waiting for?! You have no reason not to treat yourself to this simple, sweet, fruity jello poke cake.
Need more desserts to carry you through a summer full of parties? Here are some of the best easy recipes for summer!
- Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
- Fruit Pizza
- Shark Bait Ice Cream Floats
- No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
- Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Homemade Buttercream Frosting
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is light and fluffy, filled with strawberry jello, and topped with Cool Whip for a delicious summertime treat!
4.41 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: box cake mix, dessert, poke cake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Kasey Schwartz
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix prepared as directed
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 box 4-serving size Jell-O strawberry-flavored gelatin
- 1 container 8 oz Whipped Topping (Cool Whip)
- 12 fresh strawberries cut in half
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray. Prepare cake as directed on box.
Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack 20 minutes.
In a medium bowl, pour boiling water on gelatin and stir until dissolved.
Add holes to cake with the of a wooden spoon.
Carefully pour strawberry gelatin evenly over top of cake. Cool completely
Spread whipped topping over cake.
Add strawberries to the top of each piece of cake before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 18g | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 1mg
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About Kasey Schwartz
All Things Mamma where I am dishing up family favorite recipes that are easy to make with simple, everyday ingredients. Plus - tips and tricks for living your best life!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Dot
this cake was fantastic!!!! For the topping I whipped some cream cheese and a little powered sugar and folded it into the cool whip. So good. Thank you!
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FAQs
Does jello poke cake have to be refrigerated? ›
Most poke cakes need to be refrigerated whether they are covered in pudding, Jello, or something else.
What happens when you add jello to cake mix? ›Can I Add Dry Jello to a Cake Mix? Yes! This recipe calls for you to mix the cake mix, dry jello mix, and a couple other ingredients together. This combination gives you a light and tender cake but packed with so much orange flavor goodness!
What can I use to poke holes in cake? ›Using the handle of a wooden spoon ($8, Walmart), poke holes through the cake about 1 inch apart. Make sure the holes aren't too close together or too far apart—if they're too close together, your cake could be too moist; if they're too far apart, there may not be enough filling throughout the cake.
What does poke cake taste like? ›Pineapple Poke Cake Recipe
Pineapple Poke Cake Recipe is moist and delicious with lots of pineapple flavor in each bite. Make this decadent cake with just a few simple ingredients.
Leftovers. Storage: Because this cake contains dairy and a whipped cream topping store it in the fridge. It should last for around 5 days.
Can jello poke cake be frozen? ›The answer is: yes. You can freeze your jello poke cake so that it's ready to go when you need a quick dessert for a get-together or gathering. It works best if you freeze the cake after adding the jello and letting it set in the cake.
What does gelatin do to cake? ›Gelatine is used to get a fluffy and firm consistency in mousses, different types of desserts or ice cream. Therefore, it ensures their tempting melting-in-the-mouth sensation. It is also added to fillings, souses, creams, jellys and cheesecakes.
How do you make a box cake more dense and moist? ›You can try any of the following: adding a 1 oz. package of pudding (any flavor that complements the cake's flavor profile), adding 1-2 egg yolks (along with the eggs called for on the box), or substituting milk for the water called for on the box.
How do you make a box cake taste homemade? ›Tips #4 on how to make box cake taste homemade – Add in an extra egg yolk (yellow cakes)/ extra egg white (white cakes) Add in an extra egg yolk to the eggs the recipe calls for. The extra egg yolk will increase the fat content of the cake, making it more tender and lighter.
Do you poke a cake when it's hot or cold? ›Tip 2. It's best to make the holes in the cake while it is still slightly warm, because as it cools the crust on top of the cake will crumble more easily.
Do poke cakes get soggy? ›
MAKING POKE CAKE AHEAD OF TIME
What is this? However, this cake can be made completely, including the whipped cream topping, then covered and refrigerated a day or two. Just make sure not to add the chopped Oreo cookies until right before you serve, so they don't get soggy.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Using a serrated knife, level tops of cakes if necessary.
Why is it called Poke cake? ›After baking, the cake is “poked” with a fork, and the liquid Jell-O is poured over to seep into and under the cake's surface – creating bright stripes of color.
How long is jello cake good for in the fridge? ›Strawberry jello cake is best if eaten within 2-3 days. Make sure when you store it that you refrigerate it and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container.
How do you fill holes in cakes? ›Repairing Cakes With Cake Spackle by www SweetWise com - YouTube
Is Poke cake good the next day? ›Store your poke cake, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Can you freeze Pudding Poke cake? ›Storage, Leftovers and Freezing
You can freeze poke cakes. But I would freeze it before putting the wafers and fresh bananas on. That in the refrigerator overnight and top with wafers and fruit before serving.
A Bundt cake (/bʌnt/) is a cake that is baked in a Bundt pan, shaping it into a distinctive doughnut shape.
Can you freeze a cake with Cool Whip frosting? ›Cakes frosted with American or cream cheese frosting will keep up to 3 months in the freezer, but cakes frosted with Italian or Swiss buttercream should be thawed and eaten within a month. Frosted cakes that do NOT freeze well: Cakes covered in whipped cream frosting will not freeze well.
When was Pokecake invented? ›Poke cakes popped up in American kitchens around 1970, first appearing in a print advertisement intended to increase Jell-O sales. The ad illustrated the quick-and-easy cleverness of combining convenience foods - cake mix, Jell-O, and Dream Whip or Cool Whip - to create hip and mod desserts.
Can you freeze a cake twice? ›
It is perfectly safe to refreeze cake and if you do things right from the initial cooking process, everything will work fine! Cover the cake with plastic wrap to seal it and hold it together. Wrap the cake in a layer of aluminum foil to protect it from moisture and freezer burn.
What is the trick to a moist cake? ›- Use cake flour. Making a moist cake starts with the cake mix. ...
- Avoid overmixing. ...
- Maintain the right baking temperature. ...
- Avoid overbaking the cake. ...
- Soak the cake. ...
- Add moisture between the cake layers. ...
- Frost the cake right away. ...
- Store the cake properly.
Jell-O is considered a “clear liquid” food meaning that it turns into a clear liquid when at room temperature. Patients are often recommended to consume “clear liquids” when they are beginning to eat after a surgery or procedure.
Which gelatin is best for baking? ›The most popular among pastry chefs is the sheet or leaf gelatin. Gelatin is rated by its strength also known as a Bloom rating. Powdered gelatin is rated at 230 which is what we used in my bakery. Sheet gelatin is rated by precious metal names with platinum being the highest rated at 223-265.
Can poke cake sit overnight? ›In fact, you can even make this cake completely ahead of time, and let it hang out in the refrigerator overnight. The flavors get deeper and more meshed together, and all you have to do on the day of serving is sprinkle some crushed Oreo cookies on top!
How long does jello poke cake last in the fridge? ›Refrigerate: Because of the jello, keep the cake chilled. Tightly cover the cake and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Freeze: To freeze, wrap cake with plastic wrap, then again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can you freeze a pudding poke cake? ›Storage, Leftovers and Freezing
You can freeze poke cakes. But I would freeze it before putting the wafers and fresh bananas on. That in the refrigerator overnight and top with wafers and fruit before serving.
Cakes frosted with American or cream cheese frosting will keep up to 3 months in the freezer, but cakes frosted with Italian or Swiss buttercream should be thawed and eaten within a month. Frosted cakes that do NOT freeze well: Cakes covered in whipped cream frosting will not freeze well.