• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Cooking Duo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Course
    • Appetizers
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Soups + Stews
  • Method
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Baking
    • Easy Casseroles
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • One Pot Meals
    • Sheet Pan Dinners
    • Skillet Recipes
    • Stove Top Recipes
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Course
  • Method
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Course
  • Method
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
ร—
Home ยป Recipes ยป Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

Published: Oct 24, 2023 ยท Modified: Dec 22, 2024 by Ryan Allen ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 4 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Email
Jump to Recipe

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake with its moist white cake, fresh strawberries, and jiggly strawberry jello makes the perfect refreshing dessert! Made with three easy ingredients, you can enjoy this easy cake any time of year!

Strawberry poke cake with fresh strawberries on top on a plate with a bowl of fresh strawberries behind it.
Jump to:
  • Why Youโ€™ll Love This Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe
  • Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need
  • Variations
  • How To Make a Strawberry Poke Cake with Jello
  • Expert Tips
  • Storing & Freezing
  • Serving Suggestions
  • More Delicious Strawberry Desserts
  • Share It & Rate It
  • Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

Liquid Jello mix is poured over the cake so that it seeps down into the cake, making each bite full of strawberry flavor and oh so moist. Its vibrant colors and refreshing flavors make it a perfect dessert for spring and summer events but the shelf stable ingredients mean you can bake one up whenever the craving strikes!

It's an easy dessert for a backyard barbecue, a birthday party, a picnic in the park, or a treat for the whole family. If you're a fan of simple summer treats, don't miss this Fruit Pizza and our tasty Orange Creamsicle Cookies!

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe

  • Bright Colors! The strawberry jello gives the cake a vibrant pink color with pockets of white cake, creating a marble-like look while also keeping it tender and moist.
  • Great Flavor. With tangy strawberry flavor and the creamy topping, each bite is amazing.
  • Versatile. This cake is perfect for all types of events and is easy to change up with other flavors or dress it up for a special occasion.
Strawberry poke cake on a plate and in a baking dish with a bowl of strawberries to the side.

Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

  • Strawberry Jello: Gives the cake its burst of fruity flavor and vibrant pink color. You can really swap out the strawberry with any other flavor. See below for some inspiration.
  • White Cake Mix: The simple base for poke cake. Don't forget to check the box for other ingredients needed to bake the cake. Feel free to make a homemade white cake if you prefer.
  • Cool Whip: Makes a simple topping for the cake.

Variations

  • Strawberry Lemon Poke Cake: Stir in some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest into the cake batter or swap the white cake for a lemon cake mix. For a bigger punch of lemon flavor, sprinkle more lemon zest over the top of the whipped topping.
  • Lemon or Lime Twist: For a bright refreshing flavor, swap the strawberry Jello with lemon or lime Jello and garnish the cake with lemon or lime zest.
  • Mixed Berry Medley: Use mixed berry Jello instead of strawberry and garnish with an assortment of fresh berries.
  • Chocolate Berry: Swap the white cake mix with a chocolate cake mix! Top the cake with chocolate shavings or drizzle it with a rich chocolate ganache and garnish with fresh strawberries.
  • Tropical Cake: Use pineapple Jello and garnish the cake with diced pineapple and toasted coconut flakes.

How To Make a Strawberry Poke Cake with Jello

  1. Step 1: Bake the cake mix. Bake the cake mix following the directions on the package. When cooked, allow the cake to cool completely.
  2. Step 2: Poke holes in the cake. Use a round object, such as the end of a wooden spoon with a round handle, to poke holes in the cake.
  3. Step 3: Add the jello. Prepare the strawberry jello according to package instructions, but do not refrigerate. Pour the jello mixture over the top of the cake so that it soaks into the holes created.
  4. Step 4: Chill. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours or until the jello is completely set.
  5. Step 5: Garnish and serve. Add a layer of Cool Whip on top and enjoy!
Inside of strawberry poke cake in cake pan with a piece of cake missing.

Expert Tips

  • Cool the Cake. The cake needs to be fully cooled before you add the Jello. Otherwise, you may end up with a soggy cake.
  • Chilling time. The cake needs to chill for 4-5 hours after pouring the Jello over the top. This time ensures that it sets properly.
  • Garnish. While not required, fresh strawberries make a great garnish for an extra splash of color.
Two plates with strawberry poke cake on them and a bowl of strawberries.

Storing & Freezing

  • Storing: Cover the cake with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The cake may soften slightly the longer it sits from the moisture in the Jello. Freezing is not recommended for this cake as it may alter the texture.
  • Make Ahead: You can make a poke cake up to 2 days in advance. The cake base can be baked and poked with holes, and the Jello can be poured over it. However, it is recommended to add the Cool Whip layer closer to the serving time for the best texture and freshness.

Serving Suggestions

  • Enjoy this all-occasion cake after a hearty weekend dinner of our easy Instant Pot baked ziti or marry me chicken tortellini.
  • Carry this strawberry jello cake along to a family potluck with this easy chicken tetrazzini or sloppy joe tater tot casserole.
  • For larger groups, offer some dessert choices along with the cake like these 4th of July cupcakes and our fruit pizza cookies.
Strawberry poke cake on a plate with a bite taken out of it.

More Delicious Strawberry Desserts

  • Close up of a strawberry shortcake biscuit on a white plate.
    Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits
  • Strawberry and blueberry pound cake trifle in a glass bowl.
    Strawberry and Blueberry Pound Cake Trifle
  • Strawberry pretzel salad on a white plate with whipped cream
    Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
  • Strawberry fluff salad in a white bowl.
    Strawberry Fluff Salad

Share It & Rate It

I would love it if you would leave a 5 Star โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ rating below. Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in my Facebook Group.

Close-up of strawberry poke cake with fresh strawberries on top.

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

Author: Ryan Allen
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake with its moist white cake, fresh strawberries, and jiggly strawberry jello makes the perfect refreshing dessert! Made with three easy ingredients, you can enjoy this easy cake any time of year!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Chill Time 5 hours hrs
Total Time 5 hours hrs 50 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 pieces
Calories 189 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking Dishes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (3 ounce) box of Strawberry Jello
  • 1 white cake mix
  • 8 oz Cool Whip

Instructions
 

  • Bake the cake according to the instructions on the box. Let the cake cool completely before moving on to the next step.
  • Poke holes in the cake; I used the end of a wooden spoon with a round handle. Prepare the strawberry Jello according to the package up to the point where you refrigerate. Instead of refrigerating the Jello, pour the mix over the top of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 4-5 hours or until the Jello has set.
  • Carefully spread the Cool Whip over the top. Serve and Enjoy!

Notes

  • Cool the Cake. The cake needs to be fully cooled before you add the Jello. Otherwise, you may end up with a soggy cake.
  • Chilling time. The cake needs to chill for 4-5 hours after pouring the Jello over the top. This time ensures that it sets properly.
  • Garnish. While not required, fresh strawberries make a great garnish for an extra splash of color.

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 313mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 33IUCalcium: 115mgIron: 1mg

*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.

Keyword Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Recipes

  • Two racks of smoked baby back ribs on a wood cutting board.
    Smoked Baby Back Ribs
  • Italian grinder pasta salad in a clear bowl with a wooden spoon in it.
    Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
  • Marry me chicken pasta in a bowl with more in a skillet.
    Marry Me Chicken Pasta
  • Watermelon sugar cookies stacked up on parchment paper.
    Watermelon Sugar Cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





  1. Sherry Merritt

    July 11, 2024 at 5:43 am

    5 stars
    I made this Strawberry jello poke cake and it is absolutely delicious, so good I had a piece for breakfast. It turned out perfect. Itโ€™s probably the best cake Iโ€™ve ever made.

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      July 23, 2024 at 7:40 pm

      We are so glad you enjoyed it. It is one of our favorite cakes.

      Reply
  2. Tamela Ammon

    December 17, 2024 at 1:39 am

    5 stars
    I so love and appreciate the recipes you share. Expanding my easy to make dishes for those very often family potlucks. Thank you

    Reply
    • Ryan Allen

      December 22, 2024 at 1:01 pm

      Thank you so much and we are so glad you enjoy them.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Ryan and Shanna owners of thecookingduo.com.

Hey there, we are Ryan and Shanna!

As food bloggers and parents, we share easy, delicious recipes with simple ingredients to make mealtime easy and yummy. Come join us on our culinary journey!

More about us

Popular Recipes

  • Marry me chicken tortellini in a skillet.
    Marry Me Chicken Tortellini
  • Healthy turkey sloppy Joes on a piece of parchment paper
    Easy Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes Recipe
  • Overhead look at sheet pan breadsicks on parchment paper
    Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Breadsticks
  • Overhead look at Instant Pot baked ziti on a plate with a salad in the background.
    Easy Instant Pot Baked Ziti with Meat
  • The Best Cheeseburger soup in a black bowl and garnished with cheddar cheese.
    Best Cheeseburger Soup with Potatoes
  • Reese's pieces cookies stacked on top of each other on a white background.
    Reese's Pieces Cookies

Dinner Recipes

  • Ground beef stroganoff in a blue bowl with parsley in the background.
    Ground Beef Stroganoff Recipe
  • Taco mac and cheese in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.
    Taco Mac and Cheese
  • Sheet pan shrimp boil on parchment paper garnished with parsley and lemons.
    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
  • Pepper steak in a skillet ready to be served.
    Pepper Steak Recipe
  • Sheet pan sausage green beans and potatoes ready to be served.
    Sheet Pan Sausage Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Baked chicken skewers stacked on top of each other on a wood cutting board.
    Baked Chicken Skewers

Footer

โ†‘ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Let's Connect

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Punchfork

Contact

  • Contact

The Cooking Duo is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Copyright ยฉ 2025 The Cooking Duo

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.