Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
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An easy strawberry jello poke cake recipe made with strawberry Jello, white cake mix, and Cool Whip.
If you like strawberry shortcake you are going to love this easy strawberry poke cake recipe.
Strawberry Jello is poured into holes in the top of the cake to inject strawberry deliciousness throughout the cake. Then the cake is chilled then topped with Cool Whip for a light and creamy finish.
Like my OREO Poke Cake, Baileys Poke Cake, Banana Pudding Poke Cake, and Lemon Poke Cake, this strawberry poke cake is incredibly moist, yet light and cool. It is served straight from the fridge making it an especially wonderful dessert for summer parties.
Jello poke cakes are a classic dessert and perfect for potlucks, barbeques, family gatheries, and parties in general.
No matter when or where you serve up this strawberry jell-o poke cake, one thing is for sure–everyone will love it!
Check out my strawberry poke cake story!
Strawberry Poke Cake Ingredients
This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
First things first. You will need to gather your ingredients.
Here is what you will need:
- Boxed cake mix – Plus the ingredients called for on the back of the box: typically vegetable oil, water, and eggs. I used white cake mix but yellow cake mix can be used as well.
- Strawberry Jello mix
- Water – both boiling water and cold water are needed to prepare the jello mix before pouring it onto the cake.
- Cool Whip – Thawed in the fridge overnight. This recipe for stabilized whipped cream can be used as a replacement, if necessary.
- Strawberries – optional, for topping.
Kitchen Supplies
How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake
This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare a 9 x 13 cake using a basic white cake mix. Allow the cake to cool for about 15 minutes.
Step 2: Use the handle of a wooded spoon or a large fork to poke holes over the top of the baked cake.
Tip: Let the kids help–my son begs to help with this step!
Step 3: Prepare the strawberry gelatin and pour it evenly over the top of your cake. The jello mixture will seep down into the holes giving the cake a sweet strawberry flavor.
Step 4: Chill for at least 3 hours to allow the Jello to set and cool completely.
Step 5: Top the cake with Cool Whip whipped topping and fresh berries before serving.
Storage
If you are lucky enough to have any of this delicious cake leftover, cover it with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.
If you like this poke cake with jello, you will love this easy no-bake strawberry cheesecake and strawberry icebox cake as well! They are both incredible no-bake strawberry desserts.
Poke Cake Variations
- Switch up the flavor: Try using a different flavor of jello for a different taste. Cherry Jello is another one of our favorites for making poke cakes.
- Make a chocolate poke cake: Instead of white or yellow cake mix use a chocolate cake mix.
- Add pie filling: Spread strawberry pie filling evenly over the top of the cake before topping with Cool Whip for an extra burst of sweet strawberry flavor.
Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can substitute with homemade whipped cream if you prefer. Just keep in mind that whipped cream doesn’t keep as well as Cool Whip does so be sure to wait until just before serving to top the cake.
If you are using the handle of a wooden spoon or other thick object to poke the holes you can aim for 40-55 holes. If you are using a fork you will want to make more holes.
More Tasty Jello Desserts
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 16.25 ounce white cake mix plus ingredients called for on box
- 3 ounce strawberry jello mix
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 8 ounce Cool Whip thawed
- sliced strawberries for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Prepare white cake in a 9×13 pan as directed on the package. Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Using the end of a wooden spoon or large fork, poke holes throughout the top of the cake.
- Add strawberry Jello mix and boiling water to a medium-sized bowl. Stir well for 2 minutes or until fully dissolved. Stir in cold water.
- Pour or spoon Jello evenly over the top of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 3 hours.
- Top with Cool Whip. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with fresh strawberries before serving, if desired.
Notes
- This cake taste best when made ahead and allowed to chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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I’ve made this for years. I use strawberry-banana jello and put sliced strawberries on top before I refrigerate. Then I top with cool whip.
Hello,
Can we do this with a regular 9” double layer round cake ?
If so, how do we adjust it?
Thank’s for your help!
I haven’t tried making a poke cake into a layer cake but you can absolutely give it a try. Please let me know how it comes out if you do 🙂
Thank you. I had to make my own flavored gelatin with strawberry purée and pure gelatin because I didn’t have jello I wanted but it worked just fine!
Love this recipe it’s such a special one. Great for birthday parties!
God bless! Harvest.org 🎚❤️
I have made this several times and I follow the recipe, except I fold crushed strawberries into the Cool Whip topping. I have used frozen and fresh strawberries, and they both work good. Strawberries need to be sweetened, if using fresh.
Instead of mixing jello with water, mix with strawberry soda and mix vanilla pudding in the cool whip topping, cut up fresh and lay them all on top of cool whip – irs absolutely delicious!!
I made this cake and it was a big hit with my family! Only thing I did different, was to add strawberry pie filling on top of cake, then cool whip on top. OMG!!! Delicious!
I have made this since I was younger I mix the cool whip with rich and creamy cream cheese frosting half of it and whole cool whip. Delicious 😋
This cake was yummy
Yummy. Love this cake.
doez it have to be added with gelatin jello or regular jello
You will need a 3.4-ounce box of strawberry jello mix. There is a picture of the box in the “ingredients” section of the blog post if that helps 🙂