Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake is the perfect light and refreshing dessert for any gathering with family and friends – it is delicious and so pretty!
Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake is a dessert that I knew my daughter would love – she loves strawberries! I served it for dessert at a family gathering and everyone raved about it. I love how easy it is to make as well. Enjoy!
Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake
Adapted from Six Sisters Stuff
Cake:
- 1 (15.25 oz) boxed white cake mix
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry flavored Jell-O
- 1/2 cup cold water
Frosting:
MY LATEST RECIPES- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool-Whip non-dairy whipped topping
- 1 (8 oz) tub ready-made frosting, any type {I like the whipped white frosting for this recipe}
- 1 tsp almond extract
+ 1 16-oz container fresh strawberries, for topping
- Bake cake as directed on the back of the box for a 9×13 pan. {To make boxed cake mix taste better, I swap out milk for the water and add an additional egg – or egg white in this case!}
- Let the cake cool for 20 minutes and “poke” the cake with a large fork. I space my pokes about 1/2″ apart, covering the entire surface of the cake.
- Stir the boiling water and Jell-O in a mixing bowl until the Jell-O is completely dissolved. Pour in the cold water and continue to stir, then pour over the cake. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about three hours.
- Combine the Cool-Whip and frosting, stirring gently. Add in almond extract. Spread on top of cake.
- Wash, core and slice/ dice the strawberries. (You can even use a fancy strawberry slicer if you’d like!) Layer them on top of the cream when ready to serve. Store cake in fridge. Enjoy!
If you love this Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake, be sure to check out some of our other favorite dessert recipes!
- Tropical Jello Pretzel Salad
- Raspberry Vanilla Jello Salad
- Little Lemon Drops
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
- Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
STRAWBERRIES & CREAM POKE CAKE
Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake is the perfect light and refreshing dessert for any gathering with family and friends - it is delicious and so pretty!
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients
- Cake:
- 1 15.25 oz boxed white cake mix
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1 3 oz box strawberry flavored Jell-O
- 1/2 cup cold water
- Frosting:
- 1 8 oz tub Cool-Whip non-dairy whipped topping
- 1 8 oz tub ready-made frosting, any type {I like the whipped white frosting for this recipe}
- 1 tsp almond extract
- + 1 16-oz container fresh strawberries for topping
Instructions
-
Bake cake as directed on the back of the box for a 9×13 pan. {To make boxed cake mix taste better, I swap out milk for the water and add an additional egg – or egg white in this case!}
-
Let the cake cool for 20 minutes and “poke” the cake with a large fork. I space my pokes about 1/2? apart, covering the entire surface of the cake.
-
Stir the boiling water and Jell-O in a mixing bowl until the Jell-O is completely dissolved. Pour in the cold water and continue to stir, then pour over the cake.
-
Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about three hours.
-
Combine the Cool-Whip and frosting, stirring gently. Add in almond extract. Spread on top of cake.
-
Wash, core and slice/ dice the strawberries. (You can even use a fancy strawberry slicer if you’d like!) Layer them on top of the cream when ready to serve. Store cake in fridge.
-
Enjoy!
I’ve been been making Strawberry Poke Cake for my husband’s April birthday for over 30 years! After long winters in Michigan we look forward to spring-like recipes. Please try my topping for this cake, everyone loves this! 2 mashed bananas,1 package frozen strawberries thawed or fresh mashed . 1 small INSTANT vanilla pudding, 1 8 oz. Cool Whip. Mash bananas and strawberries together, add instant pudding, stir to combine, fold in Cool Whip. Frost 9×13 cake. You’ll have extra topping but kids like it without cake too! This really is amazing! PS do not drain frozen or fresh strawberries.
Thanks so much Denise! I love the changes you make- I’ll have to try it!
do you make the punning or leave it dry.
We’ve been using a similar recipe for yrs…except before adding the cool whip topping you layer pudding over the cake first and then the cool whip. Its the best cake ever…
Why almond extract?
It compliments the strawberries beautifully!
I have not tried this cake, but I have made other poke cakes. I don’t think you need the frosting. Other ones only require the whipped topping and is great.. Too sweet! Denise’s changes sound great.
Has anyone noticed a difference in letting the cake sit in the fridge for 3 hours and not?
I wonder if this would work for cupcakes?! Yum!
Hmmm- it might! Let me know if you try it out!
this can be done with coconut, too. Bake a white box cake, Heat together some coconut milk and powdered sugar..as much or as little as you want (I do a lot). You can get it as sweet as you want or not so sweet, just keep tasting. Let cake cool about 19 minutes, poke as many holes as you want. ( use the small end of a turkey baster so that some cake is removed in the holes). Pour the sugar milk all over the cake, saturated heavily). Let cake cool and then spread coolwhip all over cake, Top with with shredded coconut. Refrigerate. Delicious cold dessert
That sounds amazing! Would you mind if I experimented with that recipe and eventually posted it on my blog? I’ll certainly give you credit! Let me know if that’s okay!
Go for it. And I don;t need the credit at all..lol
[…] How delicious does this look? I am a huge fan of strawberry shortcake so when I saw this cake, I knew that not only did I have to share that post with everyone, I also had to make one myself! For the easy directions to this delicious dessert, please visit https://www.butterwithasideofbread.com. […]
I am making this right now! Is it ok if I post a picture on my blog with a link to your recipe? I just want to show my friends what I did for Valentines day.
Of course- I’m glad you liked it!
Very delicious! Made this recipe for Valentines Day and it was a hit! Everyone loved it.
I have a recipe like this, only it uses a can of strawberry soda instead of the jello and water.
That’s so fun- I’m going to have to try that!
[…] Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake!!.. a perfect light summer dessert RECIPE HERE: https://butterwithasideofbread.com/2015/02/strawberries-cream-poke-cake.html […]
Way to sweet with icing. Next time I will just use the whip topping. Very good cake.
In the photo of the “pokes” it looks like you scrapped the natural crust off the cake first. That’s an important step you didn’t mention! It certainly will help the jello absorb into the cake better! Looks fantastic!
I didn’t scrape the crust off or anything Colleen- it just kind of naturally happens when you poke the holes. 🙂
[…] RECIPE HERE –>>http://www.butterwithaside.ofbread.com/2015/02/strawberries-cream-poke-cake.html […]
What is cool whip? And what could I substitute it for?
You can whip heavy whipping cream (I usually put 1/4 cup powdered sugar in with 2 cups whipping cream and use that!)
[…] Smoothie Bowl by The Stay At Home Chef 5. Strawberry Sour Cream Ice Cream by Real Mom Kitchen 6. Strawberries & Cream Poke Cake by Butter With A Side of Bread 7. Strawberry Crumb Bars by The Baker Upstairs 8. Fresh Strawberry […]
[…] Chocolate Chip Muffins from Creations by Kara Strawberry Banana Crepes from Creations by Kara Strawberries and Cream Poke Cake from Butter with a side of Bread Strawberry Chex Mix from Butter with a side of Bread Fresh […]
I’ve made poke hole cake for many years but I always have a problem with the jello settling mostly to the bottom of the cake & making it very gummy…does anyone else have this problem & any suggestions on how to prevent this?
I know this is a way late reply, but I always had this same problem with poke cakes and came up with a solution. I usually get a spaghetti stirrer, the kind that looks like a spoon with spikes coming out of it, and use that to make holes that are only about an inch or so deep into the cake. This allows for the jello to settle near the middle and not pool into the bottom.
Not a crtitcism but just a question—why not just use a strawberry cake mix instead of the add.in?
It’s a great question! The strawberry jello “poke” element adds both a more intense flavor and moisture to the cake. So you’re welcome to replace the white cake mix with strawberry cake mix- but don’t skip the jello step! It’s so delicious. Plus, the color is so fun!
I use vanilla extract instead of almond my husband allergic to nuts but he loves this cake not to sweet for him.
I never made cake but with the help of this recipe I made it successfully. It’s taste was fabulous!!!!!!!!!! I would like to recommend this cake to all my colleagues.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the cake!
[…] 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 2. To make the cake, pour into your stand mixer or large mixing bowl, 1 white cake mix, 1/3 C flour, and 1 box instant vanilla pudding. Toss together to combine. 3. Add 1/3 C oil, 1 1/2 C water, 1/3 C sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla and 4 egg whites. Mix on low for 2 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until the batter is nice and glossy. 4. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and pour the batter into it. Smooth it out with a knife. 5. Bake for 25-30 minutes of until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 6. Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes, then poke holes through it with a fork, about 1/2 an inch apart. 7. Boil 3/4 C water in a large glass measuring cup (in the microwave). Pour 1 (6 ounce) box strawberry jello into the water and stir until the jello is dissolved. Add 1/2 C cold water and stir until combined. 8. Pour the jello water all over the top of the cake, as evenly as you can. It will turn a pretty shade of pink for you. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours. 9. To make the creamy topping, place 1/2 C softened butter into a medium sized mixing bowl. Add 3 C powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp almond extract, 4 Tb milk and a dash of salt. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add 1 (8 ounce) package of cool whip (completely thawed). Mix well to combine. Spread it evenly over the chilled cake. 10. Slice 1 (16 ounce) container of fresh strawberries and lay them over the top of the cake. Serve and enjoy! 3.1http://jamiecooksitup.net/2017/05/strawberries-and-cream-poke-cake/Recipe from http://www.jamiecooksitup.net Recipe adapted from Butter with a side of Bread […]
Very delicious! I’m planning it to made this recipe for Valentines Day and hope everyone loved it. thank you for such a lovely recipe.
You show Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake mix in your photo, but it only comes in a 16.25 oz box while other white mixes are 15.25 oz. Does it matter?
Nah- it doesn’t matter. 🙂 I hope you like the cake!