Incredibly light and delicious Strawberry Jello Poke Cake! This white cake is filled with strawberry jello and topped with fresh whipped cream and strawberries.
This Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is a classic cake 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 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. 🙂 It is so simple, light and absolutely delicious.
CAN I USE OTHER FLAVORS OF JELLO INSTEAD OF STRAWBERRY?
Yes! You can definitely swap the strawberry jello for any flavor you prefer. Some great options are lemon, peach, raspberry and cherry jello!
DO I HAVE TO USE WHITE CAKE MIX?
Not at all. Yellow cake mix and even chocolate cake mix are delicious alternatives. I think a chocolate cake with strawberry jello would be amazing!
MORE DELICIOUS CAKE RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE:
Raspberry Cream Cake
Skinny Funfetti Cake
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
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Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
A simple and delicious cake filled with strawberry flavor!
Author: Holly
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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!
Notes
*This cake is wonderful using fresh whipped cream instead of cool whip.
Becky says
February 24, 2016 at 11:28 amHave you ever used this using chocolate cake? Or, would the chocolate flavor overpower the taste of the jello?
Tina says
June 4, 2016 at 12:19 pmTry it with a black cherry or raspberry jello. Very good.
Karen McCormick says
September 10, 2018 at 9:43 amFabulous 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
Tina says
June 4, 2016 at 12:18 pmI 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.
Amanda says
June 19, 2016 at 4:40 pmYou said to let it chill for a few hours? How quick can you serve it… I’m not wanting to wait a few hours
Holly says
June 20, 2016 at 10:37 amYou want the jello mixture to get really cold within the cake, so I would say at least 2 hours.
Karen McCormick says
September 10, 2018 at 9:40 amAfter a half hour in the freezer it is perfect to serve
Jacinda says
July 2, 2016 at 10:45 amFor 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
TPatrick says
August 26, 2016 at 5:07 amWas wondering the same thing!
Amanda says
January 15, 2017 at 5:20 pmJust the boiling water. After it has dissolved, fill the poke holes.
Mel says
January 10, 2017 at 10:11 amJust boiling water. You can also use dream whip icing. I use cream cheese pudding dream whip and about 1 1/2 cups milk.
Debbi Fazekas says
July 20, 2016 at 6:00 pmI 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.
Tina says
August 16, 2016 at 1:00 pmDidn’t the original cake have a layer of instant pudding before the whipped cream? I’m making this this week.
Donna says
February 12, 2018 at 11:15 amI always put prepared vanilla pudding whipped into the cool whip and then frost the cake.
ROSIE says
February 2, 2019 at 1:59 pmDONNA I DO WHAT YOU DO SOOOOOO YUMMY
Esmeralda says
December 14, 2016 at 9:46 amI’m loving all these recipes on here,already wrote down like 4 lol but I love to cook n bake .. thank you for sharing
Jennifer says
December 24, 2016 at 11:31 amDo you need to keep leftovers refrigeratorate?
Amanda says
January 15, 2017 at 5:19 pmYes, extremely well, I might add. My cake lasted almost two weeks the first time around.
Holly says
June 11, 2019 at 8:25 amYes, cover and refrigerate any leftovers 🙂
Amanda says
January 15, 2017 at 5:18 pmI 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.
Angie pina says
February 6, 2017 at 9:12 amhow do you half a recipe like Strawberry poke cake and others
Angela Ponder says
February 15, 2017 at 1:56 pmI 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.
Carrie says
April 15, 2017 at 8:56 pmI 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.
Rebecca Blevins says
June 8, 2017 at 12:06 pmWhen making the jello to put in the cake do I only use half the water and just dissolve it
Vanessa says
July 3, 2017 at 6:37 pmHi am wondering, with the jello making the cake warm should I wait a while so the heat wont kill my fridge?
Janine D. says
December 31, 2017 at 9:32 pmOMG!!! My cake is chilling and I’m reading the reviews and stupid me made the jello with the COLD WATER TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emmy Sherman says
March 29, 2018 at 11:17 amI 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!
Cathy says
May 26, 2018 at 4:08 pmI frost mine with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting in a can. Then I decorate it with strawberries.
Devona says
May 30, 2018 at 9:28 amThank 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!
Iris says
August 6, 2018 at 5:39 pmI like using the raspberry flavored gelatin and after frosting it I sprinkle with coconut flakes and it tastes like zingers.
Lori says
April 20, 2019 at 9:04 pmMaking orange jello poke cake with cutie mandarin orange sections all over real whipped cream. Dreamsickle….yum!
F. savay says
August 18, 2018 at 11:59 amHow close to serving time to do you cover the cake with whipped cream? Can you do it 3-4 hours ahead of time?
Holly says
August 31, 2018 at 9:48 amAny time before is fine!
Holly says
June 11, 2019 at 8:24 amYes, you can put the whipped topping on hours before serving 🙂
Anthony Allen says
November 28, 2018 at 7:11 pmThis 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!
sanchez says
December 1, 2018 at 12:45 amSimple to make an eye-catching cake recipe! Pinned, I have to do it as soon as possible. Thank you!
Susan Dubose says
December 3, 2018 at 1:47 amI 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!
Sophie Anderson says
December 3, 2018 at 1:59 amPoke 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.
Lisa@eatfrysmith says
December 13, 2018 at 8:35 amIt’s so yummy! I have to make it right now
Sue Parker says
February 24, 2019 at 9:11 amMy son has Celiac disease so I’m always looking for fun recipes for him and something the entire family will enjoy. I use a Gluten Free white or yellow (white is my favorite) cake mix to make this cake. The jello is gluten free and it a favorite dessert at my house.
Deborah Blanco says
April 20, 2019 at 9:17 pmCan i make the cake a day ahead then next day do the jello then refrigerate
Holly says
April 22, 2019 at 12:02 pmSorry to respond so late Deborah. But yes, you can make the cake a day in advance. 🙂
Sanchez says
May 16, 2019 at 8:54 amYummy! I was drooling when I saw it
Will never ignore this formula, I will do it for my family and friends, but I have a question, can I do it, then leave the refrigerator for days?
Thanks
Edie r says
May 24, 2019 at 4:57 pmMy family likes it with blueberry pie filling spread over the cake after the jello is poured on. After chilling I add the cool whip
Pj says
May 17, 2019 at 2:36 pmI mix the whipped cream with cream cheese and powdered sugar, like a fruit dip. Oh my!!!
Carol says
May 18, 2019 at 11:15 amI make this cake with lemon cake mix and lime jello. I frost it whith coolwhip, 1 cup milk and 1 pkg instant lemon pudding combined.
Love it. I’ve seen recipes with 1 cup water, 1 1/2 cups water and 2 cups water added to the jello. Any thoughts on whayt is best?
Charles McKnight says
May 31, 2019 at 5:05 amIt looks very delicious. I will try this. Thanks for sharing!
National Restaurant says
June 6, 2019 at 7:10 amAwesome! Cannot wait to try this.
Mary@lasesana says
June 11, 2019 at 6:13 amCan I apply this recipe with other kinds of fruits? I like strawberry but I want to try with different fruit. Anyway that’t nice of you share this post.
Holly says
June 11, 2019 at 8:23 amYes mary! You can use any other jello flavor you prefer. Cherry, peach and lemon are great options!
Toroso Restaurant says
June 13, 2019 at 9:23 amJust made this yesterday and it turned out soo good!
Toni says
June 13, 2019 at 2:03 pmHelp! May seem silly but at what point do you remove the cake from the pan? Seems that when pouring the jello it would run? I’ve seen pictures where it is left in the pan and those of the cake removed.
Holly says
June 16, 2019 at 10:05 amYou leave the cake in the pan. You never remove it except for slicing it and serving 🙂
Tim from bestpingpongtable.net says
June 15, 2019 at 3:47 amThis jello cake is my favorite, I always feel pleasured to have it with a cup of coffee. Thanks for sharing the recipe.