Description
This Easy Strawberry Poke Cake is a delightful and refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion. A moist white cake is baked and then poked with holes before being soaked with sweet strawberry gelatin. Topped with fluffy whipped topping and fresh strawberries, this cake offers a perfect balance of creamy and fruity flavors that is sure to please your family and guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients needed on the package: eggs, water, and oil)
Gelatin Mixture
- 1 box (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin (Jell-O)
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
Topping
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
- Optional: Fresh strawberries, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven according to the instructions on the cake mix package to ensure the cake bakes evenly.
- Prepare Cake Batter: Prepare the cake batter as directed on the cake mix box, combining all required ingredients and mixing until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake the Cake: Bake the cake for about 25 minutes or as specified on the package, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely to room temperature, which helps the gelatin absorb properly without melting the whipped topping.
- Dissolve Gelatin: In a medium bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir thoroughly until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
- Add Cold Water: Stir in ½ cup of cold water to the gelatin mixture to cool it down, ensuring it doesn’t melt the cake or whipped topping when poured.
- Prepare Cake for Gelatin: Use a fork or the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly all over the cooled cake, creating channels for the gelatin to seep in.
- Pour Gelatin Mixture: Slowly pour the gelatin mixture over the cake, allowing it to settle into the holes and soak into the cake layers.
- Refrigerate: Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until the gelatin is fully set and the cake is chilled.
- Add Whipped Topping: Spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the chilled cake, covering the surface completely.
- Garnish: Optionally, top the cake with fresh sliced strawberries for added freshness and decoration.
- Serve: Slice the cake into 12 servings and serve chilled. Enjoy this refreshing and fruity dessert!
Notes
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before adding the gelatin to prevent it from melting the gelatin or whipped topping.
- Using fresh strawberries as a garnish adds texture and enhances the flavor.
- For a firmer gelatin layer, refrigerate for longer than 3 hours if needed.
- Whipped topping can be substituted with homemade whipped cream for a fresher option.
