This easy Strawberry Poke Cake recipe is a classic dessert that is made with strawberry jello and a boxed cake mix. This recipe doesn’t get much simpler and it has been around for decades.
This recipe is especially good as a summer treat because you can top it with fresh strawberries for a wonderfully beautiful dessert. You will likely find this Jello Poke cake in your grandmother’s recipe collection as it is a vintage favorite!
Why This Recipe
Jello poke cakes have been around for years. I first made one in junior high school. It is an incredibly easy recipe to make with just a few ingredients and the presentation is so pretty.
This recipe is made with strawberry jello, to make a strawberry poke cake, but you could definitely change out the jello flavor for another and the color of the jello runs through the cake beautifully.
The result is a delicious old-fashioned jello cake that everyone will love. These are nice to take on picnics and barbecues too!
This cake is topped with whipped cream or whipped topping so it makes a light, summer dessert.
Ingredients For Strawberry Poke Cake
Jello – This recipe includes strawberry jello, but remember you can change up the flavor if you like. You will want to
Cool Whip – I have made this with both Cool Whip and Whipped topping. You can use whichever is easier for you.
Water – You will need boiling water for this recipe to dissolve the gelatin.
Strawberries -Use a few fresh strawberries cut into slices to decorate the top of the cake. You can always skip the fruit and add sprinkles if you like.
How to Make A Poke Cake
- Prepare cake according to package directions and bake in a 13″ x 9″ pan. Let cake cool about 30 minutes. Mix the jello with boiling water. Note that this recipe uses less water than what is called for on the gelatin box.
2. Bake the cake according to package directions. After cooling a bit, poke with a fork about 20-30 times. at about 1/2″ intervals.
3. Pour the gelatin mixture over the cake.
Pop in the refrigerator and when ready to serve, top with the cool whip or whipped cream. Serve with fresh strawberries on top if you like.
Timesaving Tips to make this perfect every time
- Store the finished cake in the refrigerator.
- You can purchase angel food or an unfrosted white cake.
- Wipe the knife after each slice cut for best results.
- Only use a fork to make the pokes. Anything larger may result in a soggy cake.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before adding the whipped topping.
- You can use vanilla buttercream frosting or whipped cream frosting to change this up a bit.
FAQ
What Should I Serve With Jello Cake?
Fresh strawberry slices go great with this cake. Ice cream also goes well.
Can You Freeze A Jello Cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake before frosting it. Wrap it tightly and store in the freezer.
Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- eggs, oil and water per cake mix package
- 1 3 ounce box Strawberry Jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 12 sliced strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and bake cake according to package directions.
- Bake cake in a 9x13 inch baking pan as directed on mix.
- Remove cake from oven and allow it to cool 30 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix together jello powder and boiling water until the Jello dissolves.
- Using a fork, poke holes in the cake about 1/2" apart.
- Pour Jello mixture slowly over the top of cake.
- Chill cake in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
- Spread the cool whip over the cake.
- Top cake slices with a few slices of strawberries when serving.
More Easy Dessert Cakes
Mango Coconut Cake – A Refreshing coconut cake that is perfect for summer.
Baked Banana Pudding – A wonderful dessert recipe for banana lovers -creamy and easy!
Tres Leches Cake – this Mexican-inspired cake is made with three types of milk – delicious!
Coca Cola Cake – My favorite version of this decadent chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. SO COOD!
Texas Sheet Cake – Another one of those delicious and moist chocolatey cakes!
Sour Cream Pound Cake – Just 7 ingredients for this delicious pound cake!
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