Easy Strawberry Jello Poke Cake Recipe: A Perfect Summer Dessert
Get ready to delight your taste buds with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Strawberry Jello Poke Cake recipe! This classic dessert features a tender, moist white cake infused with vibrant strawberry Jello, all crowned with a fluffy layer of Cool Whip and fresh berries. It’s the perfect treat for any occasion, especially those warm summer gatherings, potlucks, barbecues, and family celebrations where a light, cool, and refreshing dessert is always a hit.
Jello poke cakes are a beloved dessert for a reason. Their simple preparation belies a surprisingly complex and satisfying texture, making them a go-to for home bakers. This particular strawberry rendition takes a standard white cake and elevates it with a burst of fruity goodness. The strawberry Jello mixture seeps into every nook and cranny of the cake, creating a wonderfully moist crumb and an irresistible strawberry flavor that permeates each bite. Once chilled, this delightful cake is then generously topped with light and creamy Cool Whip, offering a perfect contrast to the fruity cake base. If you’re a fan of strawberry shortcake, prepare to fall in love with this easy strawberry poke cake recipe, as it offers a similar delightful combination of sweet berries and creamy goodness in cake form.
Just like our popular OREO Poke Cake, Baileys Poke Cake, Banana Pudding Poke Cake, and Lemon Poke Cake, this strawberry poke cake is incredibly moist, yet feels light and cool on the palate. Its unique characteristic of being served straight from the fridge makes it an ideal dessert for those sweltering summer months when heavy, rich desserts just won’t do. No matter when or where you decide to serve up this vibrant strawberry Jell-O poke cake, one thing is for sure – its delightful flavor and refreshing quality will make it an instant crowd-pleaser that everyone will truly love!
Why This Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is a Must-Try
Beyond its striking appearance and delicious flavor, this strawberry poke cake offers several compelling reasons to add it to your baking repertoire. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, relying on a boxed cake mix for a foolproof base, which saves time without sacrificing taste. The “poke” method ensures that every slice is uniformly moist and bursting with strawberry flavor, preventing any dry spots. It’s a fantastic make-ahead dessert, as it actually improves with chilling time, allowing the Jello to fully set and meld with the cake. Plus, it’s highly customizable, offering endless possibilities for flavor variations. Its vibrant red and white layers make it visually appealing, perfect for themed parties or patriotic celebrations. This dessert is designed for ease, enjoyment, and guaranteed satisfaction!
Essential Strawberry Poke Cake Ingredients
This section includes detailed ingredient notes and substitution options to help you achieve the perfect cake. Find all precise measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Boxed Cake Mix – We recommend a standard 15.25-ounce package. While a white cake mix creates a beautiful contrast with the red Jello, a yellow cake mix can also be used for a slightly richer, butterier flavor profile. Remember to also have on hand the additional ingredients typically called for on the back of the box, which usually include vegetable oil, water, and eggs. These standard additions ensure your cake bakes up fluffy and light.
- Strawberry Jello Mix – A 3-ounce package of strawberry-flavored gelatin is the star of this poke cake. It not only provides that iconic strawberry flavor but also the moisture that makes this cake so incredibly tender.
- Water – You’ll need both boiling water to properly dissolve the gelatin mix and cold water to bring the mixture to the right temperature before pouring it over the cake, ensuring it sets beautifully without cooking the cake further.
- Cool Whip – An 8-ounce container of thawed Cool Whip whipped topping is essential for that light, airy, and creamy finish. For best results, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. If you prefer a homemade option or don’t have Cool Whip on hand, this recipe for stabilized whipped cream can be used as a fantastic replacement, providing a similar stable texture without deflating.
- Fresh Strawberries – Optional, but highly recommended for topping. Sliced fresh strawberries add a burst of natural sweetness, a lovely tart contrast, and a beautiful vibrant garnish that enhances the overall strawberry experience.
Recommended Kitchen Supplies
Having the right tools makes baking this poke cake a breeze. Here are the essential kitchen items you’ll need:
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two – one for preparing the cake mix and another for the Jello.
- Measuring Cups: For accurately measuring liquids and dry ingredients.
- 9 x 13 Baking Dish: The standard size for this recipe, ensuring even baking and easy serving.
- Hand Mixer (Optional but helpful): While you can mix by hand, a hand mixer makes preparing the cake batter quicker and smoother.
- Wooden Spoon: Perfect for mixing and, crucially, for creating the signature “poke” holes in the cake.
- Silicone Spatula: Ideal for scraping down bowls and gently spreading the Cool Whip topping.
How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake: Step-by-Step Guide
This section provides a detailed visual guide with step-by-step photos and instructions to help you master this recipe. For the full printable recipe, including exact measurements and a complete list of ingredients, please see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake. Begin by preparing a 9 x 13-inch white cake using your preferred boxed cake mix. Follow the package directions precisely for baking time and temperature. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for approximately 15 minutes. This cooling period is crucial as it allows the cake to firm up slightly before you poke holes, preventing it from crumbling.
Step 2: Poke Holes in the Cake. After the initial cooling period, grab the handle of a wooden spoon or a large fork. Systematically poke holes all over the top surface of the baked cake. Aim for holes that are about ¾ to 1 inch deep and spaced about ½ to 1 inch apart. These holes are essential as they will act as channels for the liquid Jello to seep into, infusing the cake with flavor and moisture. Ensure your pokes go deep enough to allow for maximum absorption.
Baking Tip!
This is a fantastic step for involving younger helpers in the kitchen! Kids absolutely beg to help with this step, turning baking into a fun, interactive activity. Just make sure they don’t poke all the way through the bottom of the cake!
Step 3: Prepare and Pour the Strawberry Gelatin. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the strawberry gelatin mix with the specified amount of boiling water. Stir vigorously for at least 2 minutes, or until the gelatin granules are completely dissolved. It’s important that no undissolved powder remains. Then, stir in the cold water. This step ensures the Jello mixture is cool enough not to damage the cake’s structure but still liquid enough to penetrate the holes. Carefully and evenly pour or spoon the prepared Jello mixture over the entire poked surface of your cake. Watch as the vibrant red liquid slowly seeps down into the holes, beginning its delicious transformation.
Step 4: Chill to Perfection. Once the Jello has been poured, transfer the cake to the refrigerator. It’s crucial to chill the cake for a minimum of 3 hours. This extended chilling time allows the Jello to fully set within the cake’s holes and cool completely, creating that distinct moist and jelly-like texture. For the absolute best results, we highly recommend chilling it overnight, as this allows the flavors to deepen and the Jello to achieve optimal consistency.
Step 5: Top and Serve. Just before you’re ready to serve, retrieve the thoroughly chilled cake from the refrigerator. Evenly spread the thawed Cool Whip whipped topping over the entire surface of the cake. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, garnish the cake with fresh berries, such as sliced strawberries. Then, slice into generous portions and serve immediately. The contrast of the cool, creamy topping with the moist, fruity cake is simply irresistible!
Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Achieving poke cake perfection is easy with a few simple tricks. First, ensure your cake is fully cooled before poking holes and pouring the Jello. A warm cake might absorb the Jello too quickly or become too soggy. Second, don’t skimp on the poking – more holes mean more Jello absorption and a moister cake. Third, while a wooden spoon handle is classic, a chopstick or even a skewer can create finer holes, yielding a slightly different texture. Finally, resist the urge to serve the cake before it’s thoroughly chilled. The refrigeration time is essential for the Jello to set and integrate properly, giving you that delightful, refreshing quality that makes poke cakes so special. Making it a day ahead truly enhances the flavor and texture.
Storage Solutions
Proper storage ensures your delicious strawberry jello poke cake remains fresh and enjoyable for longer.
Refrigerator: If you are lucky enough to have any of this delicious cake leftover (a rare occurrence!), cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly for up to 2-3 days. The Cool Whip topping tends to hold up well in the fridge, but for optimal freshness, it’s best consumed within this timeframe.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze this cake with excellent results. For best quality, freeze the cake *after* it has fully absorbed the Jello and chilled, but *before* you add the whipped topping. Wrap the cake tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, then cover with a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, defrost the cake overnight in the refrigerator, then top with fresh Cool Whip and berries just before serving.
If you enjoy this vibrant poke cake with Jello, you will undoubtedly love these other fantastic strawberry desserts! Be sure to try this easy no-bake strawberry cheesecake and strawberry icebox cake as well. They are both incredible no-bake strawberry treats that are perfect for any time of year.
Delicious Jello Poke Cake Variations to Try
One of the best things about poke cakes is their versatility! Here are some exciting ways to switch up this strawberry Jello poke cake recipe:
- Switch Up the Jello Flavor: Don’t limit yourself to strawberry! Experiment with different flavors of Jello for a completely new taste experience. Cherry Jello is another one of our family favorites, creating a deep red and wonderfully fruity cake. Lime Jello is also fantastic, offering a tangy, refreshing twist, especially when paired with a vanilla or lemon cake base.
- Make it a Chocolate Poke Cake: For the chocolate lovers, simply swap out the white or yellow cake mix for a rich chocolate cake mix. The strawberry Jello will provide a delightful fruity complement to the deep chocolate flavor, creating a chocolate-covered strawberry-like sensation.
- Add Pie Filling: For an extra burst of intense strawberry flavor and a more substantial topping, spread a layer of strawberry pie filling evenly over the top of the Jello-infused cake before adding the Cool Whip. This adds another layer of texture and sweetness that’s simply divine.
- Double Strawberry Delight: Maximize the strawberry experience by using a strawberry-flavored cake mix instead of white or yellow. This “double strawberry” approach ensures a potent and consistent strawberry flavor throughout every component of the cake, perfect for true berry enthusiasts.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Alternative: While Cool Whip is light and refreshing, a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting can be a decadent alternative. Whip together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk until smooth, then spread over the chilled cake.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, absolutely! You can certainly substitute with homemade whipped cream if you prefer. However, keep in mind that traditional homemade whipped cream doesn’t hold its shape or stay as stable for as long as Cool Whip does. For the best presentation and texture, be sure to wait until just before serving to top the cake with homemade whipped cream. If you’d like a more stable homemade option, consider making a stabilized whipped cream (like the one linked in the ingredients section), which uses gelatin or cream of tartar to help it hold up longer.
The ideal number of holes depends on the size of the object you’re using. If you are using the handle of a wooden spoon or another thick object (like a dowel or the back of a small round measuring spoon) to poke the holes, aim for approximately 40-55 holes spread evenly across the 9×13 inch cake. If you opt for a fork, which creates smaller holes, you will want to make more holes, likely between 80-100, ensuring thorough Jello distribution. The key is even spacing so that every bite of cake gets that delicious Jello infusion.
While fresh fruit adds a lovely touch to the top of the cake, it’s generally not recommended to mix fresh fruit directly into the Jello mixture that goes into the cake. Certain fresh fruits, particularly pineapple, kiwi, figs, papaya, and ginger, contain enzymes that can prevent gelatin from setting properly. Cooked or canned fruits, however, are fine to mix in as the enzymes are denatured by heat. For this recipe, it’s best to stick to just the Jello mixture inside the cake and use fresh berries for garnish.
You can test if the Jello has fully set by gently pressing a finger onto the top of the cake where the Jello has seeped in. It should feel firm and slightly springy, not liquid or gooey. If it still feels wet or soft, it needs more chilling time. The recommended 3 hours is a minimum, and overnight chilling ensures the best results for a perfectly set, moist cake.
More Tasty Jello Desserts
If you’re a fan of Jello and its delightful versatility, you’ll love exploring these other creative and delicious Jello-inspired dessert recipes:
- Candy Popcorn: A fun and colorful snack that uses Jello for its vibrant hues and fruity flavor.
- No-Bake Strawberry Jello Pie: An incredibly easy, light, and creamy pie that celebrates the classic strawberry Jello flavor without turning on the oven.
- Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad: A beloved potluck staple featuring a salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a glistening strawberry Jello topping.
- Unicorn Jello Cups: A magical and colorful layered dessert that’s perfect for kids’ parties or any occasion needing a touch of whimsy.
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix plus ingredients called for on box
- 3 ounce strawberry jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounce Cool Whip thawed
- sliced strawberries for garnish if desired
Instructions
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Prepare white cake in a 9×13 pan as directed on the package. Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes after removing from the oven.
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Using the end of a wooden spoon or large fork, poke holes throughout the top of the cake.
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Add strawberry Jello mix and boiling water to a medium-sized bowl. Stir well for 2 minutes or until fully dissolved. Stir in cold water.
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Pour or spoon Jello evenly over the top of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 3 hours.
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Top with Cool Whip. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with fresh strawberries before serving, if desired.
Notes
- This cake taste best when made ahead and allowed to chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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