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You can’t go wrong with a classic jello poke cake recipe, and this strawberry poke cake is one of the most refreshing and light poke cakes, topped off with smooth and creamy Cool Whip!
Jello Poke Cake Recipe
A moist white cake topped with strawberries and creamy whipped cream is a classic and refreshing dessert. And that is exactly what you’ll get with this amazing strawberry jello poke cake! We just love this recipe.
Poke cakes are like the magician of all cakes. In just looking at them, you’d never know the secret deliciousness that they are infused with. They look just like any other cake!
But once you cut or bite into them, you can see and taste the delicious filling infused into every single bite! Poke cakes can be filled with all kinds of different fillings (condensed milk, pudding, fruit cream, chocolate, etc.) but in this particular recipe, we are using none other than strawberry jello!
I love using jello in a poke cake because it keeps the cake super moist and infuses it with crazy flavor. I love the combination of a white cake with strawberry flavored jello, but if you’re not a big strawberry fan you could always change up the flavor of jello in your poke cake!
I love the freshness of this dessert. It’s super tasty, and topping it with cool whip instead of frosting keeps it nice and light. It’s a great dessert to pair with a heavy meal, because it offers a sweet tooth satisfying treat, without being over-rich or heavy. There’s always enough room for a piece of delicious cake!
This recipe is one of the easiest dessert recipes I make, which is another reason I love it so much. I can put it together in no time. I can also put it together a few days (or even weeks) in advance and store it in the freezer or fridge until I’m ready to serve it.
Why is it Called a Poke Cake?
Poke cakes, as the name suggests, are cakes that have holes poked in them!
Usually, you will poke holes into the cake after baking, then fill the holes with a liquid or filling of some sort. In this case, the filling is jello!
Doing this makes it so that every bite is full of the delicious flavor of whatever filling you’ve used.
Ingredients
This cake is really so simple, which is why I make it all the time! I like to use a box cake. It tastes delicious and it’s super easy. But, if you have a cake recipe that you love, you can choose to use a homemade cake recipe instead!
- 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients called for on box
- 3.3 ounces strawberry jello
- 1 cup water boiling
- ½ cup water cold
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- fresh strawberries for garnish if desired
SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW
How to Make Jello Poke Cake
- Bake cake according to instructions on the box.
- Poke holes in the cake using a fork.
- Pour Jell-O mixture over the cake into the holes.
- Cover with Cool Whip.
Tips
- You can choose to make a homemade cake as well! I find a box cake to be easier and just as tasty with this type of recipe.
- I usually let the cake chill for a couple of hours in the fridge before frosting.
Can I Use Any Flavor Jello in a Jello Poke Cake?
The short answer is: YES! You can definitely switch up this recipe to use a different type of jello. I personally love the refreshing flavor of strawberry gelatin with white cake and whipped cream. But, I know some people who are huge strawberry fans.
You can use any flavor of jello that you like. You could also switch up the flavor of the cake mix as well. This recipe can be very versatile in that way. Get creative with it!
Love all things strawberry? Check out our Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Another classic (and easy recipe!)
Can You Freeze a Jello Poke Cake?
Could this recipe possibly get even easier? The answer is: yes. You can freeze your jello poke cake so that it’s ready to go when you need a quick dessert for a get-together or gathering.
It works best if you freeze the cake after adding the jello and letting it set in the cake. To freeze it just be sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap before freezing. It will last about one month in the freezer.
When you are ready to eat it, put the cake in the fridge a day in advance to give it time to thaw, then top it with Cool Whip and you’re ready to go.
You can also store the cake in the fridge for 1-2 days if you want to make it in advance. Follow the same instructions for freezing, but place it in the fridge instead!
More Easy Cake Recipes
- No-Bake Ice Cream Cake
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
- Lemon Lush Dessert
- Cherry Dump Cake
- Broken Glass Jello (not a cake, but super delicious and using Jello too!)
- Oreo Poke Cake
Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients called for on box
- 3.3 ounces strawberry jello or any flavor will work
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- fresh strawberries for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Prepare cake to directions and after baking poke holes throughout the cake with a fork or wooden spoon handle.
- Mix boiling water with Jello and stir until dissolved, then pour in cold water.
- Pour Jello over the entire cake, allowing to seep into holes.
- Cover with Cool Whip.
- You can also add fresh fruit to the top before slicing and serving!
Jenn’s Notes
- For a fun flavor change, swap out the strawberry Jello for another flavor, and use fresh fruit on top to match!
- You can substitute butter and milk for the oil and water on the cake box directions if you like. It will produce a richer flavor!
- It’s best to make the holes in the cake while it is still slightly warm because as it cools, the crust on top of the cake will crumble more easily.
- When you’re pouring the cream into the holes, tap the pan on the counter a few times to get rid of any air bubbles and make sure the cream fills the holes completely.
Nutrition Info
If you haven’t ever tried a Jello poke cake recipe, now is the time! You will love the flavorful dessert that you get out of it! As I said, these cakes are magic!
Thank for sharing the recipe ,its look so delicious!
Made this just like the recipe and it was so soggy! Don’t know what I did wrong. Followed all the directions to a t
I’ve wrecked these cakes twice, following the directions. Have no idea what I did wrong either. I’m beginning to wonder if the simple fix is cooking the cake longer. Maybe an overdone cake with smaller holes will absorb the jello perfectly. I even put it in the fridge after putting in the jello.
I have never seen a poke cake recipe where you use a fork for the holes? I’ve always used a wooden spoon, makes bigger holes to fill? That’s the only thing I can think of?
I used to make this years ago for my kids.. maybe 30… let the jello start to set up. Use a turkey battery to put the jello in the holes. Perfect every time. Needs to go in fridge after you put in the jello. Till it sets firm.
Turkey baster.