Strawberry Poke Cake
My strawberry poke cake is features super moist white cake and is bursting with strawberries. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and always a crowd-pleaser.
I love poke cakes. I've shared yummy varieties like red velvet poke cake, oreo, and banana pudding before. Today I'm sharing strawberry poke cake. It is SO easy! It starts out with a white cake mix but no one would ever guess this. Then it is filled with cheesecake pudding and strawberry Jello. We love it at picnics and potlucks. Its red color would make it a perfect Valentine's Day or Christmas dessert too.
Love strawberries and cream cheese together? Check out my strawberries and cream cake roll or my strawberry shortcake bars too.
Why This Recipe Works
- Super Moist For Days: The Jell-O sets up in the fridge locking water inside so leftovers never dry out.
- Cheesecake Pudding + Jello= Magic: It is creamy, tangy, and tastes like strawberry cheesecake without the water bath!
- Frozen Berries: This cake uses fruit flash frozen when its ripe and juicy which adds the perfect sweetness to the filling.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Cake Mix: White cake uses egg whites instead of yolks which allows the color of your filling to shine. I like Pillsbury which has pudding in the mix for an even moister cake. Don't forget the ingredients called for on the box too!
- Cool Whip: Thaw overnight in the fridge. You can also quickly thaw on the countertop for around 30 minutes too. Never microwave or it may melt/separate.
- Strawberries: If you can't find strawberries in sugar you can use fresh or frozen strawberries sprinkled with white sugar.
- Cheesecake Pudding Mix: This adds great flavor. However, if you can't find it vanilla works too. Avoid cook ad serve which won't thicken with cold milk.
How To Make Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
- Prep Work: Preheat oven and line pan.
- Bake Cake: Bake cake according to box directions.
- Fill: Poke holes on top of the cake and pour jello mixture. Chill and repeat with pudding mixture.
- Top: Spread evenly with Cool Whip.
FAQ
Can I Make It Ahead of time?
Yes, make up to 2 days in advance.
Can I Use Fresh Strawberries Instead of Frozen?
Yes! Toss fresh berries with a tablespoon or two of sugar. Rest for around 5-10 minutes to create a syrup.
Krystle's Tips
- Line pan: Line your pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper to easily remove the cake. It makes cleaning your pan easier too.
- Use a wooden spoon: Poke holes using a wooden spoon around 1 inch apart. You don't want them too close together or the cake may lose its structure. However, if they're too far apart you won't get filling in every bite.
- Add Jello when cake is warm not hot: Add the filling while the cake is warm so it can better soak in. If the cake is too hot the jello may turn rubbery while if the cake is too cold it can get soggy.
- Don't overbake: Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Overbaking will lead to a dry crumbly cake.
- Be gentle: Fold strawberries gently; over-mixing can make the pudding pinky and watery.
More Poke Cakes To Try
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📖 Recipe
Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake
Moist white cake bursting with strawberries and topped with whipped cream. All the flavors of strawberry cheesecake in an easy to make sheet cake!
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Servings: 12 Slices
Calories: 230kcal
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Ingredients
- 1 Box White Cake Mix
- 1 Cup Boiling Water
- 1 Package of Strawberry Jello
- ½ Cup Cold Water
- ½ Cup Frozen Strawberries in Sugar
- 1 Large Box Cheesecake Pudding Mix
- 2 Cups Whole Milk
- 12 Ounces Cool Whip
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare the cake according to package directions.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Poke holes in the top of the cake using a wooden skewer or the back of a wooden spoon.
- In a small bowl, combine jello and boiling water. Stir until dissolved.
- Then stir in cold water.
- Evenly pour over cake.Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix until smooth. Fold in strawberries.
- Pour pudding evenly over cake. Refrigerate for ~1 hour.
- Top with Cool Whip. Garnish with additional strawberries if desired.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Mix: White cake uses egg whites instead of yolks which allows the color of your filling to shine. I like Pillsbury which has pudding in the mix for an even moister cake. Don't forget the ingredients called for on the box too!
- Cool Whip: Thaw overnight in the fridge. You can also quickly thaw on the countertop for around 30 minutes too. Never microwave or it may melt/separate.
- Strawberries: If you can't find strawberries in sugar you can use fresh or frozen strawberries sprinkled with white sugar.
- Cheesecake Pudding Mix: This adds great flavor. However, if you can't find it vanilla works too. Avoid cook ad serve which won't thicken with cold milk.
- Line pan: Line your pan with nonstick foil or parchment paper to easily remove the cake. It makes cleaning your pan easier too.
- Use a wooden spoon: Poke holes using a wooden spoon around 1 inch apart. You don't want them too close together or the cake may lose its structure. However, if they're too far apart you won't get filling in every bite.
- Add Jello when cake is warm not hot: Add the filling while the cake is warm so it can better soak in. If the cake is too hot the jello may turn rubbery while if the cake is too cold it can get soggy.
- Don't overbake: Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Overbaking will lead to a dry crumbly cake.
- Be gentle: Fold strawberries gently; over-mixing can make the pudding pinky and watery.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 337mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1mg
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This strawberry poke cake is delicious. I have made it, I enjoyed making it .
I make Mandarin orange poke cake using orange Jello and the juice from the mandarin oranges as part of the liquid when preparing the Jello.. Top with chilled Mandarin orange slices!! Perfect fresh fruit alternative during this severe supply chain shortage we're experiencing across the country!! Prayers to all from AZ..
That is genius, what a great idea. Thanks for sharing it with me and our community Glenda!
This cake is awesome my family loves it.
My kids loved this cake! So easy and yummy!
The best poke cake! My family loved it so much! Just amazing!
I love a good poke cake! Strawberry is my fav too!!