Best Recipe for Strawberry Poke Cake - Balancing Motherhood (2024)

This strawberry poke cake is a family favorite and can be made in a pinch. This light and fluffy cake is one of the first cakes my daughter learned to make on her own. You can’t mess it up – it turns out delicious every time!

Why we love Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

With our step-by-step instructions, you’ll have the best strawberry flavored cake you can make. We start with a store-bough cake mix to save time, then poke holes in it and pour strawberry gelatin on it and let all the flavors combine. Top with whipped topping and you’ll have a beautiful strawberry and vanilla cake that will impress your family and friends. Only you will know how easy it is to make!

Why Is It Called Poke Cake?

This cake recipe is called a poke cake because you actually poke holes in the cake so the gelatin can soak deep into the cake.

You can use a fork and poke small holes, which is what a lot of people do and what we used for this recipe, but I’ve also used the back end of a wooden spoon.

Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe ingredients

• White cake mix and ingredients – 1 box white cake mix plus water, oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
• Water – you’ll need 1 1/2 cups total. One cup will need to be boiled, while a 1/2 cup will be cool water
• Jell-O gelatin – strawberry is what we used, but you can pick any flavor gelatin
• Whipped topping – use any brand of whipped topping
• Strawberries – these are for garnish only, so just grab a few and slice for the top of the cake

How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake

I love how simple this recipe is. My daughter (11) makes this cake and it looks so fancy!

1. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In large bowl, beat the cake mix, water, oil and egg whites with electric mixer until combined. (Follow the instructions on the box.)
3. Pour cake mixture into your baking pan and cook for length on package (probably about 25-30 minutes)or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4. Cool the cake on the counter. Keep it in the baking dish.
5. While the cake is cooling, boil 1 cup of water and mix the strawberry Jell-O package in water until dissolved and then add ½ cup cold water.
6. Using tongs of a fork, poke holes in cake, about every ½ inch.You can also use the back of a wooden spoon if you want larger holes.
7. Pour dissolved strawberry gelatin over top of cake. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
8. Spread Cool Whip over top of cake. Garnish slices with fresh strawberries.

See Also

Dessert Recipes - Recipes by Meal | Taste of HomeCherry Pie Recipes - Sweet, Sour & More | Taste of HomeBrandade de Morue Recipe on Food52Witches Brew Drink recipe

Can I Use Homemade Whipped Cream for the Frosting?

If you are going to eat the entire cake the same day, you can certainly use your homemade whipped cream. If you do this, I would frost the cake just before serving.

If you feel you are going to need to refrigerate the cake and eat some later, I would stick with the store-bought whipped topping, like Cool Whip. It tends to retain its shape longer than homemade whipped cream.

How to store this Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe with Jello

To store a strawberry Jello poke cake, tightly cover it with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it. Consume the cake within 2-3 days to maintain its freshness and prevent the Jello layer from making it soggy. If needed, use an airtight container to prevent odor transfer from other foods in the refrigerator.

Want More Strawberry Recipes?

• Strawberry Poke Cake
• Strawberry Pie
• Whipped Strawberry Milk
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Strawberry Lemon Lasagna

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake Recipe FAQs