Delish Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

This Delish Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is basically nostalgia in pan form — a soft, pillowy cake full of suspiciously bright pink Jello, puddles of sweet strawberry juice, and a cloud of whipped topping that makes everyone act like they invented dessert. It’s special because it’s effortless showmanship: lots of texture, almost zero skill, and enough kitschy color to convince people you planned it for weeks. Try it when you want dessert that looks fancy but eats like your inner child is in charge.

My family treats this cake like it’s an endangered species. Once I left it to cool and came back to find my husband practicing portion control by eating one perfect corner slice after another until the cake had a jagged cliff face. The kids decided poking the holes needed to be competitive (spoiler: it didn’t help the cake stay intact), and I learned that using a fork for poking is fine until someone decides a whisk is a “more efficient pattern.” Yes, this pan was too small. No, I didn’t wash fewer dishes. We still called it a win.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use a boxed cake mix because you’re not writing a cookbook. Add an extra egg or a splash of milk for better texture if you’re feeling slightly guilty.
– Pro tip: Microwave the Jello with only half the water to speed setting — it’s a tiny rebellion that works.
– Buy pre-sliced strawberries or use frozen thawed berries when fresh ones look sad. No one will crucify you.
– Line the pan with foil for easy lift-out. You’ll thank me when you’re scraping crumbs off the counter at midnight.
– Avoid extra bowls: mix your whisked topping directly in the mixing bowl after you’re done with cake batter. It’s not pretty, but it saves a sinkload.

Serving Ideas

– Slice and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream because adulting with cake + ice cream is mandatory.
– Pair with coffee for brunch, or with sparkling rosé if the kids melted your patience. Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts.
– Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds on top for texture and a false sense of sophistication.
– Keep it simple: fork, napkin, a smile, and absolutely no lecturing about gelatin ingredients.

What to Serve It With

– Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream — pick your dairy allegiance.
– Fresh berries if you want to pretend it’s health-forward.
– Coffee, tea, or a glass of something adult. I’m not judging if you choose all three.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t pour boiling Jello directly over cake — let it cool slightly or you’ll steam the cake and end up with a gluey mess. Been there, learned the towel-wrapping life lesson.
– Poke evenly. Random holes are cute until someone gets a dry bite. Use the handle of a wooden spoon for nice even channels.
– Let the cake chill long enough. If you rush slicing, the topping wants to slide off like a dramatic hat.
– If your whipped topping weeps, it’s fine. It’s still dessert, and we all survive.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Cover tightly with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container to avoid fridge smells.
– Keeps 3–4 days, but honestly, it’ll probably be gone by day two if you have teenagers or a sneaky spouse.

✔Variations and Substitutions

– Make it lemon or lime Jello for a citrus zing. Swap in strawberry slices or canned fruit — your call.
– Use whipped coconut cream to make it dairy-free.
– Turn it into a trifle by layering cake cubes, strawberry Jello-soaked cake, and whipped cream in a big bowl. Fancy enough to impress the in-laws.
– Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

This delightful strawberry jello poke cake is a perfect dessert for summer gatherings.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1 box Strawberry cake mix
• ▢ 0.5 cup Water
• ▢ 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
• ▢ 3 large Eggs
• ▢ 1 cup Boiling water
• ▢ 1 box Strawberry jello mix
• ▢ 1 cup Whipped topping
• ▢ 1 cup Sliced strawberries

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
• In a bowl, mix together the strawberry cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool, then poke holes in the top using a fork.
• Prepare the jello according to package instructions and pour it over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
• Top with whipped topping and sliced strawberries before serving.

Notes

This cake is best served chilled. Enjoy!