Description
This Easy Strawberry Poke Cake is a delightful and simple dessert perfect for any occasion. It features a moist white cake infused with strawberry Jello and topped with a luscious strawberry sauce and cool whip, resulting in a creamy, fruity treat that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (15 ounces)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Strawberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
Additional Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry Jello (0.3 ounce)
- 8 ounces Cool Whip topping, thawed
- Extra fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cake.
- Prepare Cake Batter: Follow the instructions on the white cake mix box by combining the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water to create your batter.
- Bake Cake: Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and bake it in the preheated oven according to the cake mix package directions, usually around 30-35 minutes.
- Make Strawberry Sauce: While the cake bakes, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the strawberries soften and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Set Sauce Aside: Pour the strawberry sauce into a bowl and set it aside to cool.
- Cool Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes to prevent the Jello from melting.
- Prepare Jello Mixture: Dissolve the strawberry Jello powder in the amount of water specified on the box, stirring well in a large measuring cup or jar for easy pouring.
- Poke Cake Holes: Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke evenly spaced holes all over the cake to allow the Jello mixture to seep in.
- Pour Jello Over Cake: Evenly pour the prepared Jello mixture over the cooled cake, letting it soak into the holes.
- Spread Strawberry Sauce: Evenly spread the cooled strawberry sauce over the entire surface of the cake.
- Chill Cake: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2-3 hours to allow the Jello to set.
- Add Cool Whip Topping: After chilling, remove the cake from the refrigerator and spread the thawed Cool Whip evenly over the top.
- Garnish: Optionally, top the cake with additional fresh strawberries for added flavor and decoration.
Notes
- Poking holes when the cake is warm ensures the Jello mixture soaks through for added moisture and flavor.
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor; frozen can be used but adjust cooking time for the sauce.
- Allow the cake to chill thoroughly so the Jello sets properly, making slicing easier.
- Cool Whip can be substituted with whipped cream if desired.
- This dessert is best served cold and is perfect for warm weather gatherings.
