Name: Easy Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 230 min
Ingredients: 1 yellow or white cake mix (prepared); 1 cup fresh strawberries (sliced); 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 box strawberry Jello (3 oz size); 10 oz Cool Whip; 1 pint fresh strawberries

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This easy strawberry poke cake makes the perfect summer dessert! Deliciously sweet and perfect for summer, it’s a crowd favorite that you can serve for pretty much any occasion. The best part is that you can even make it ahead of time so that dessert is ready and waiting when you need it!

We love a good dessert recipe, especially this time of year. We have a long list of favorites but some of the best include fresh berries! Whether it’s for a strawberry pie or these yummy no bake cheesecake bites, you just can’t go wrong with berries of any kind in my book!

Lately I’ve been into poke cakes too and this decadent OREO Poke Cake has been a huge hit. That’s why I thought it would be fun to combine to of my favorite things into one deliciously easy dessert. One bite of this strawberry jello poke cake and I knew I had a hit on my hands!

Table of Contents

How to Make A Strawberry Poke Cake

If you like easy cake recipes, this may just be your new favorite! Not only is it simple but it tastes amazing too!

Step 1: Start by preparing a box cake mix according to directions. Pour batter into a 9×13 cake pan and bake.

Step 2: While the cake is baking, prepare your fresh strawberry sauce. Combine strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a medium sauce pan an cook until it thickens, about six minutes. (If using frozen strawberries, it will take a little longer). Once the sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon, pour it into a large bowl and set aside.

Step 3: When the cake is finished baking, take it out of the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes.

Step 4: Once the cake has cooled, use the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the cake, then prepare the jello mixture (a 3 oz package) using the directions on the back of the box.

strawberry poke cake with strawberry sauce on top

Step 5: Pour the jello over the top of your cake, letting it fill the holes, then add the strawberry sauce.

Whipped topping for strawberry poke cake

Step 6: Spread Cool Whip (or substitute fresh whipped cream) evenly across the entire cake.

strawberry poke cake topped with sliced strawberries

Step 7: Add the sliced strawberries, then refrigerate for three hours and serve cold.

Can I Make a Strawberry Poke Cake Ahead of Time?

You totally can! In fact, that’s one of the things I like best about it. It’s a really great recipe to prep in advance and store it for later.

Just make the cake, poke the holes, and prepare the strawberry sauce and jello separately. Store all the ingredients in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.

Heat the jello until it’s a consistency that you can pour, then pour it over the cake. Add the strawberry sauce and Cool Whip and refrigerate for three hours before serving.

Can You Use Frozen Strawberries to Make a Poke Cake?

You’ll get the best results if you use fresh strawberries but if it’s not strawberry season, or you just don’t feel like heading to the grocery store, frozen strawberries will work in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw them first and drain any excess water or liquid before adding them to the top of the cake.

Can You Use Strawberry Cake Mix for a Strawberry Poke Cake?

Of course you can! Our recipe already has a sweet strawberry flavor to start but if you just can’t get enough, you can use strawberry boxed cake mix to add even more of that fruit flavor.

Can I Make the Poke Cake Without Jello?

Yes, you can totally make this without using jello! Though I love how moist it makes the cake, you don’t have to use it in this recipe. Just make some extra strawberry sauce and use a strainer to separate the liquid. Pour the liquid into the holes and spread the remaining mixture over the top.

What Other Variations Can I Try?

If you’re looking to take this delicious cake up a notch, you’re going to love how versatile it is! Here are a few different things you can try:

Add cream cheese to the Cool Whip to give it a nice, creamy cheesecake taste.

You can make this dessert even more summery by adding a couple of drops of lemon essence or lemon zest into the cake mix.

Don’t have strawberries at hand? You can make this same cake recipe with other types of berries too! Try blueberries, raspberries or even blackberries for some tasty alternatives.

If you liked this fresh strawberry poke cake recipe, you may want to try these awesome strawberry desserts too…

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