This cake. It is a classic that I’m sure you’ve either had or heard of before. Am I right? Jello Poke Cakes have been around forever because they are so dang delicious. Since Valentine’s Day is only a few days away I thought it would be perfect timing to share this purty cake.
I think it was my Mom that first introduced me to Jello Poke Cakes, and of course I fell in-love at first bite. It is moist and packed with so much flavor- the only problem is that you’ll have a hard time stopping at just one piece. This cake is not rich by any means so it is easy to devour and go for seconds! (If that’s a bad thing, I guess.) 😉
Another thing I love about this cake is how simple it is to prepare. You can use any ol’ box cake mix (I prefer white so the color of the jello really shows) and I’ve made it with yellow. Both are amazing. You can always try a homemade cake and I’m sure it would be even better. The second part is the topping. I use cool whip and I am not ashamed in any way. Homemade whipped cream is even better (duh), so when I have time I will whip up the good stuff. But we are happy campers with cool whip too. Either way, this cake is a winner. 🙂
- 1 box white cake mix
- (eggs, oil and water called for on package)
- 1 (3 oz.) box Strawberry Jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 (8 oz.) container cool whip, thawed
- sliced strawberries, for garnish
- Prepare and bake cake in a 9x13 inch baking pan, according to package directions. Remove cake from oven. Let cool 30 minutes.
- Using the back of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake.
- Mix together jello powder and boiling water until jello dissolves. Carefully pour mixture evenly over the top of cake. Cover and place in fridge to chill for a few hours.
- When ready to serve, spread cool whip evenly over the top of cake. Cut in pieces and serve with sliced strawberries. Enjoy!
- *This cake is wonderful using fresh whipped cream instead of cool whip.
Have you ever used this using chocolate cake? Or, would the chocolate flavor overpower the taste of the jello?
Try it with a black cherry or raspberry jello. Very good.
Fabulous with any cake mix
Also just enough boiling water yo dissolve, then add cold sodas or fruit juice
Be sure the combinations go well together. I love the chocolate cake mix with black cherry jello and Dr.Pepper the combination is out of this world
I have found to make it fruitier I mix a small box of jello in a container of cool whip and ice the cake with that. It is a hit with the family.
You said to let it chill for a few hours? How quick can you serve it… I’m not wanting to wait a few hours
You want the jello mixture to get really cold within the cake, so I would say at least 2 hours.
After a half hour in the freezer it is perfect to serve
For the hello mix, do you just add the boiling water.. Or do you add the cool water as well as if you’re actually making jello
Was wondering the same thing!
Just the boiling water. After it has dissolved, fill the poke holes.
Just boiling water. You can also use dream whip icing. I use cream cheese pudding dream whip and about 1 1/2 cups milk.
I made the strawberry jello poke cake today, it was a HUGE hit with everyone, it didn’t take long for half of the cake to disappear. I think I found my new go to cake for all the birthdays, holidays, Sunday’s well I think you get the implication. Thanks for sharing.
Didn’t the original cake have a layer of instant pudding before the whipped cream? I’m making this this week.
I always put prepared vanilla pudding whipped into the cool whip and then frost the cake.
I’m loving all these recipes on here,already wrote down like 4 lol but I love to cook n bake .. thank you for sharing
Do you need to keep leftovers refrigeratorate?
Yes, extremely well, I might add. My cake lasted almost two weeks the first time around.
I love this recipe and have made it twice in the past 2 months. The first time, I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great, but as any home cook will tell you, adding your own twist is what really makes it your own. So, for the second time, I did the following…I made the cake and jello portion to the exact measurements, but I added Chef John’s strawberry sauce to the poke holes and instead of topping it with whole strawberries, I chopped up mine and sprinkled them all over for more coverage and flavor. It turned out brilliantly. I ended up eating half the cake myself, lol.
how do you half a recipe like Strawberry poke cake and others
I would make two round cakes. Put half the jello in one and half in the other. Use the one for what you were going to and give the other away.
Or make one round cake and use half the Jello. Then add water to the rest of the jello until you like the flavor and refrigerate and make Jello out of it.
I made this using the Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake Mix.
It turned out good. Topped with whipped cream and strawberries and it was a simple light dessert. Thank you.
When making the jello to put in the cake do I only use half the water and just dissolve it
Hi am wondering, with the jello making the cake warm should I wait a while so the heat wont kill my fridge?
OMG!!! My cake is chilling and I’m reading the reviews and stupid me made the jello with the COLD WATER TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I started making this jello poke cake in the late 70’s. It was always made by topping the cake first with vanilla jello then cool whip. I see they are making a frosting that combines the pudding and cool whip together. I still prefer the instant pudding made with milk layered on first then the cool whip. Try it!
I frost mine with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting in a can. Then I decorate it with strawberries.
Thank you for this! My mom used to make this when i was a child and now she cant remember how to do it. I am so happy to have found this! Thank you!
I like using the raspberry flavored gelatin and after frosting it I sprinkle with coconut flakes and it tastes like zingers.
How close to serving time to do you cover the cake with whipped cream? Can you do it 3-4 hours ahead of time?
Any time before is fine!
This looks awesome, Holly Lofthouse! My boys would swoon if I brought this to the table – and it sounds like even I could manage it:) Thanks so much for sharing – pinned of course. And thanks for being part of this hop, friend!
Simple to make an eye-catching cake recipe! Pinned, I have to do it as soon as possible. Thank you!
I made this for Thanksgiving, but I was wanting to try it with a banana pudding twist. Was wondering if banana or vanilla pudding would work in the chocolate mixture? Thanks so much force sharing this awesome recipe!
Poke Cake is probably one of my favorite types of cake because you get all that yummy goodness down in all the holes of the cake. I might have to make it for Christmas.
It’s so yummy! I have to make it right now