A Classic: Strawberry Jello Poke Cake Recipe (2024)

This old fashioned strawberry jello cake recipe is made easily with boxed cake mix and jello, but has a homemade cream cheese whipped topping that makes it extra special!

If there is one dessert I remember from childhood summertime, it is this Strawberry Jello Cake. I loved that it was cool, creamy, and light.

And now that I’m older, I love that it is easy. A slice of homemade cake makes me happy, but sometimes you just need to go back to the basics. And that means this strawberry poke cake. It’s an easy dessert recipe perfect for everything from family picnics to kids birthday parties.

Does the gelatin make the cake soggy?

Although pouring the gelatin over the cake seems odd because it is a liquid and has yet to set up, once it sets it makes for a very moist and fluffy cake.

One thing to note is that this method works best when the gelatin is poured over the cake evenly. Sometimes I will even take a spoon and spoon the warm gelatin over the cake just to make sure I am covering the cake evenly. If one part of the cake is saturated more than another, you might miss out on the marbling effect.

Plus, you want that strawberry flavor everywhere.

How to Make Strawberry Jello Cake

• Prepare cake mix in a 9×13 inch baking dish and bake according to package directions.
• Allow cake to cool for 20-30 minutes.
• Poke holes halfway through cake with the back of a round wooden spoon about 1-2 inches apart from each other. Set aside.

• While cake is cooling prepare strawberry gelatin.
• Pour boiling water over gelatin and whisk until combined and gelatin is completely dissolved.
• Carefully pour gelatin evenly over cake. The cake will soak up the gelatin. The gelatin will not fill the holes up completely which is completely normal.
• Cool in the refrigerator for 1 hour or until the gelatin has set and the cake is only slightly tacky.
• Once cake is set and cooled, prepare the topping.

Topping for Strawberry Poke Cake

There are different topping options you can make for a strawberry poke cake. We chose to make a homemade cream cheese whipped cream frosting. It’s easy to make and gives the cake a delicious homemade flavor.

Here are a few other options:

• homemade whipped cream
• Cool Whip
• vanilla buttercream
• swiss meringue
• strawberry buttercream
• keto low carb buttercream

Different variations for jello cake:

• Choose a lime jello for Saint Patrick’s day.
• Try using a red and blue gelatin for 4^th of July. Decorate the top with fresh berries.
• Red and green colored gelatin goes great for Christmas.
• Use pink or blue jello for a baby shower.
• Love chocolate and strawberry flavor together? Use a chocolate cake mix.

The sky is the limit with the colors and variations you choose. Cherry jello, raspberry, lemon…any and all are delicious for different poke cake recipes.

How do I store strawberry jello cake?

Strawberry poke cake will last in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days as long as it is stored in an airtight container.

Can I freeze jello cake? It is best to freeze after the gelatin has been added and before the topping. I do not recommend freezing the cake with the cream cheese topping because the consistency may change once it has been frozen. Place the cake in the freezer for up to 6 weeks.