Ever find yourself dreaming of a dessert that’s light, luscious, and bursting with fruity flavor, especially when the sun is shining? If so, get ready to meet your new favorite sweet treat! We’re talking about a dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delightful to eat, a true crowd-pleaser that brings a smile to every face. Imagine sinking your fork into tender cake infused with creamy strawberry goodness, topped with a cloud of whipped topping and a delightful cookie crunch. Sounds incredible, right? Prepare to fall in love with this sensational Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake – it’s a taste of pure sunshine in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake
There are countless reasons to adore this incredible dessert, but here are our top four picks that make this Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake an absolute must-try:
- Effortlessly Delicious: Don’t let its impressive appearance fool you; this cake is incredibly simple to make, even for novice bakers! Using a convenient cake mix as a base means less stress and more time enjoying your creation.
- Explosion of Strawberry Flavor: From the jello-infused cake to the strawberry syrup in the cookie crunch, every element sings with sweet, fresh strawberry notes. It’s a berry lover’s dream!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a summer picnic, a backyard BBQ, a birthday party, or just a Tuesday night craving, this vibrant cake is always a hit. Its cheerful color and delightful taste make it a centerpiece-worthy dessert.
- Incredibly Refreshing Texture: The magic of the poke cake lies in its unique texture – moist, tender cake soaked with a cool, creamy jello mixture, topped with airy whipped cream and a crunchy cookie layer. It’s a symphony of textures that’s wonderfully cooling, especially on a warm day.
Ingredients for Your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake
Gather your ingredients, and let’s get ready to create some magic!
- 🍰 1 (15.25 ounce) box white cake mix (or your preferred flavor)
- 🥚 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 🥛 2 ½ cups heavy cream, divided
- 🌻 ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 🍓 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
- 💧 1 cup boiling water
- 🍦 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed (or freshly made whipped cream)
- 🍪 20 vanilla sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos)
- 🍓 2 ½ tablespoons strawberry syrup
- 🍓 Fresh strawberries, for garnish (optional)
Detailed Directions: Crafting Your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a spectacular slice of this Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake!
- Get Ready to Bake! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a light greasing – this ensures your beautiful cake slides out perfectly later.
- Mix the Cake Batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, those room-temperature eggs, 1 ½ cups of heavy cream, and the vegetable oil. Beat with a mixer until your batter is perfectly smooth and lump-free. Pour this delightful batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- Bake to Perfection. Pop your cake into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Keep an eye on it – we don’t want an overbaked cake! Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a good 20 to 30 minutes.
- Time to Poke! Here’s where the “poke” in poke cake comes in! Once your cake has slightly cooled, grab the round handle of a wooden spoon (or even a thick straw) and gently poke holes all over the top of the cake. Aim to go about two-thirds of the way down into the cake – be sure not to poke all the way through the bottom!
- Prepare the Strawberry Infusion. In a medium, heat-safe bowl, whisk the strawberry gelatin powder with 1 cup of boiling water. Keep whisking for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the gelatin is completely dissolved and no granules remain.
- Creamy Jello Filling. Now for a magical touch! Slowly whisk the remaining 1 cup of cold heavy cream into your dissolved gelatin mixture. Keep whisking until it’s fully combined and creamy, creating a luscious strawberry-cream concoction.
- Saturate the Cake. Carefully and slowly pour this strawberry-cream mixture evenly over your poked cake. Take your time, making sure to fill all those little holes as much as possible. Cover the cake snugly and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. For the best results, letting it chill overnight is even better – this allows the jello to set perfectly and all those delicious flavors to meld beautifully!
- Top it Off! Once your cake is thoroughly chilled and the jello has happily set, uncover it. Now, gently spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the surface of the cake, creating a fluffy, white cloud.
- Create the Strawberry Crunch. In a food processor, pulse the vanilla sandwich cookies several times until they are broken into small, delightful crumbles. Drizzle in the strawberry syrup over the crumbs and pulse again several times until the syrup is combined, and you have a lovely pink and white crumb mixture. (No food processor? No problem! Place cookies in a sturdy ziploc bag, crush them with a rolling pin, add the syrup, and shake to combine).
- Final Touch & Serve. Evenly sprinkle your homemade strawberry crunch topping over the whipped topping. For an extra touch of freshness and beauty, garnish with some fresh sliced strawberries if you like. Now, slice into generous pieces and enjoy your truly refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake!
Presenting and Serving Your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake
A cake this delicious deserves to be shown off! Here are a few ideas to make your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake an absolute showstopper:
- Classic Garnish: The recipe suggests fresh strawberries, and for good reason! Halved or sliced strawberries arranged neatly on top add a burst of color and a fresh counterpoint to the sweetness.
- Minty Fresh: For an extra pop of color and an aromatic touch, tuck a few fresh mint leaves amongst the strawberries. It looks elegant and adds a subtle cooling aroma.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A light drizzle of white chocolate or dark chocolate syrup over the whipped topping and cookie crunch can elevate the presentation and add another layer of flavor.
- Individual Servings: For a more refined presentation, cut individual squares and place them on small dessert plates. You can then add a dollop of extra whipped cream or a single strawberry fan next to each slice.
- Dessert Bar Star: If you’re hosting a party, place the cake on a nice cake stand as the centerpiece of a dessert bar. Surround it with small bowls of extra fresh berries, a side of chocolate shavings, or even a different flavor of cookie crunch for guests to add themselves.
- Serving Temperature: This cake is best served chilled, right from the refrigerator. Its cool, moist texture is what makes it so incredibly refreshing!
Storing Your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake
To keep your delightful Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake at its best, proper storage is key:
- Cover It Up: Always store the cake covered. You can use plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a cake dome to prevent it from drying out and to protect the delicate whipped topping.
- Refrigeration is Essential: Due to the heavy cream and jello components, this cake must be stored in the refrigerator.
- How Long Does It Last? When properly covered and refrigerated, your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake will stay fresh and delicious for 3 to 4 days. After that, the cake might start to dry out slightly, and the whipped topping could begin to lose its firmness.
- Freezing? While you could technically freeze the baked cake base before adding the jello and toppings, it’s generally not recommended to freeze the fully assembled poke cake. The texture of the jello and whipped topping can change significantly upon thawing, becoming watery or grainy. Enjoy it fresh!
FAQs About Your Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake
- Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this poke cake?
Absolutely! While white cake is a classic base, a vanilla, yellow, or even a strawberry cake mix would work wonderfully and complement the strawberry jello. - Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping?
Yes, you certainly can! If using fresh whipped cream, whip 2 cups of cold heavy cream with ¼ cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, then spread over the cake. - Why do I need to poke holes in the cake?
The holes are crucial! They allow the liquid jello mixture to seep down into the cake, infusing it with flavor and moisture, creating that signature poke cake texture. - Can I make this Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake is perfect for making ahead! It needs at least 4 hours to chill, but preparing it the day before you plan to serve it (allowing it to chill overnight) yields the best results. Add the whipped topping and cookie crunch just before serving for optimal freshness. - What if I don’t have a food processor for the cookie crunch?
No problem! Place the vanilla sandwich cookies in a large zip-top bag, seal it, and crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan until they are fine crumbs. Then add the strawberry syrup to the bag and shake to combine. - Can I make this Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake gluten-free?
You can! Simply swap the regular white cake mix for a gluten-free white cake mix and ensure your vanilla sandwich cookies are also gluten-free. All other ingredients are typically gluten-free. - Is heavy cream essential for the Jello mixture, or can I use milk?
Heavy cream is essential for achieving the creamy, slightly thicker consistency of the jello filling. Milk would make it too thin and watery, and it wouldn’t set properly within the cake holes. - How deep should I poke the holes in the cake?
Aim to poke the holes about two-thirds of the way down the cake, ensuring they don’t go all the way through to the bottom. This ensures the jello mixture stays within the cake. - Can I use a different flavor of Jello?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other jello flavors like raspberry, cherry, or even orange for a different twist. Just remember it won’t be a Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake then! - How long does the cake really need to chill for the jello to set?
A minimum of 4 hours is necessary for the jello to properly set and firm up within the cake. Chilling overnight is ideal, as it allows the jello to fully set and the flavors to fully meld for the best texture and taste.
Refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake 🍓
This refreshing Strawberry Poke Cake is an easy and delightful dessert perfect for summer. A moist white cake is infused with a creamy strawberry gelatin mixture, topped with whipped cream, and finished with a crunchy vanilla sandwich cookie topping.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixer
- Wooden Spoon
- Food processor (or ziploc bag and rolling pin)
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 ounce, or your preferred flavor)
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 2.5 cups heavy cream divided (1.5 cups for cake, 1 cup for jello)
- 0.33 cup vegetable oil
Strawberry Infusion & Topping
- 1 package strawberry flavored gelatin (3 ounce)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed (or freshly made whipped cream)
- 20 vanilla sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos)
- 2.5 tablespoons strawberry syrup
- Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs, 1 ½ cups of heavy cream, and vegetable oil with a mixer until the batter is smooth and well combined. Pour this delicious batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake! Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Once slightly cooled, use the round handle of a wooden spoon to gently poke holes all over the top of the cake. Aim to go about two-thirds of the way down – make sure not to poke all the way through the bottom.
- In a medium, heat-safe bowl, whisk the strawberry gelatin powder with 1 cup of boiling water until the gelatin is completely dissolved (this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes).
- Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream into the dissolved gelatin mixture until it's fully combined and creamy.
- Carefully and slowly pour the strawberry-cream mixture evenly over the poked cake, making sure to fill those little holes as much as possible. Cover the cake and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. This chilling step is essential for the jello to set and for the flavors to meld beautifully!
- Once the cake is thoroughly chilled and the jello has set, uncover it and spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the surface.
- In a food processor, pulse the vanilla sandwich cookies several times until they are broken into small crumbles. Drizzle in the strawberry syrup over the crumbs and pulse again several times until the syrup is combined and you have a lovely pink and white crumb mixture. (If you don't have a food processor, you can place cookies in a ziploc bag, crush them with a rolling pin, add syrup, and shake to combine).
- Evenly sprinkle the homemade strawberry crunch topping over the whipped topping. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries if you like for an extra touch of freshness, then slice and enjoy your refreshing poke cake!
Notes
This delightful dessert is perfect for summer gatherings!
Nutrition Information per serving:
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Total Carbs: 44g
- Net Carbs: 43g
- Fats: 23g
- Protein: 5g