This fresh and fruity strawberry poke cake recipe is a 3-ingredient summer stunner on any picnic or potluck table.
Strawberry jello poke cake is a retro classic using easy-to-find basics like a cake mix, jello, whipped topping, with lots of room for extras!
Crazy For Strawberry Poke Cake!
- Poke cakes are so easy and fun to make that even the kids will want to help out. Simply put, a poke cake is a sheet cake with holes poked all over it, then a jello sauce (or pudding) is poured over the top so it soaks into the cake and every bite is bursting with fruity flavor.
- When you’re looking for an easy dessert to feed a crowd, this recipe is a winner, made with 3 budget-friendly shortcut ingredients. Short on time? Buy a pre-made vanilla angel food cake and poke with holes, and fill with canned strawberry pie filling so you don’t have to wait for the jello to set up.
- Endlessly versatile poke cakes are a fan-favorite for picnics and parties because they can be cut into any size you like. They’re also great as an everyday snacking cake with a glass of iced tea or lemonade.
What’s in Strawberry Poke Cake?
- Cake Mix: Stock up on a variety of cake mixes so they’re always on hand for last-minute guests or invites. In this version, a basic white cake mix makes a perfect “canvas” for soaking up sweetened strawberry jello. You can also use yellow, strawberry, or chocolate cake.
- Jello: No need to buy the name brand! Any store brand of strawberry or cherry gelatin dessert works. Swap out the jello for a can of sweetened condensed milk, pudding, or cheesecake filling.
- Toppings: Whipped cream, whipped topping (AKA Cool Whip), a can of ready-made cream cheese frosting, or a homemade buttercream frosting make sweet and fluffy toppings for strawberry poke cake.
- Variations: Another delicious flavor option you don’t want to miss is creamsicle, which you can make by swapping in orange jello. Great options for topping a poke cake include fresh or freeze-dried strawberries, sliced bananas, crushed cookies, colorful sprinkles, coconut, sliced almonds, or homemade granola.
How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake
- Prepare cake, swapping out whole eggs for egg whites. (2 egg whites = 1 whole egg.) Bake and cool.
- Poke holes over the top of the cake (full recipe below).
- Dissolve jello in hot water and pour into the holes and over the whole cake.
- Refrigerate before topping with whipped cream and strawberries (if desired).
Make-Ahead Friendly?
Poke cakes taste best when they’re cold, so they can be made up to a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator until ready to top and serve. They are also super freezer-friendly. With their soft, fluffy texture, you can easily slice and serve poke cake straight from the freezer for a cold summer treat. So good!
Storing Strawberry Poke Cake
- Leftover strawberry poke (if there is any!) can be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add fresh berries before serving if desired.
- Freeze portions by freezing portions on a baking sheet before wrapping them in plastic wrap. This keeps the topping from sticking to the plastic wrap. Transfer the portions to a zippered bag for up to a month.
- Pop one into a backpack or briefcase, and it will be ready to enjoy in minutes!
More Crowd Pleasing Treats
Did you enjoy this Strawberry Poke Cake recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix with ingredients on box (substitute whole eggs for 2 egg whites to make a whiter cake)
- 3 ounces strawberry flavored gelatin powder 1 box (or cherry)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounces whipped topping 1 tub (such as Cool Whip), or 8 oz. heavy cream to make your own whipped cream
- strawberries optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven per cake mix directions. Grease and flour 9×13 pan.
- Make cake, substituting egg whites in place of whole eggs. Bake and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Poke holes (with a chopstick) over the whole cake.
- Combine jello and hot water in a large measuring cup (or medium bowl), mixing until dissolved. Add cold water.
- Pour jello mixture over the entire cake, especially in the holes.
- Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Top with whipped topping. Garnish with strawberries if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Poke cake should be covered and stored in the refrigerator, and will last up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
©Our Zesty Life. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
REPIN this Strawberry Poke Cake recipe
Recipe from Spend With Pennies
