Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

by Gayle on Jun 24, 2019 (updated Apr 15, 2025) 10 comments »

This Easy Strawberry Poke Cake features a vanilla cake that’s studded with lots of strawberry flavor. Soft cake is drizzled with sweet strawberry jello and then topped with a strawberry glaze and a creamy whipped topping. Simple to make and even better to eat, you’ll love this moist and fresh cake!

A slice of strawberry poke cake on a white dessert plate.

Quick! Name your favorite cake!

Is it chocolate? One loaded with frosting? Or, maybe more low key, like a yogurt cake or a banana cake?

I’m probably in the minority here, but I’m not really a fan of cakes with frosting. I’ve mentioned this before, but frosting and I don’t get along too well. Unless, of course, it’s this peanut butter frosting or that vanilla bean frosting. Homemade is the way to go, am I right?

I usually pass up a slice of cake whenever I’m out and about, as store-bought or bakery frostings just aren’t my thing. Too sweet for me, I guess.

But, there is one kind of ‘frosting’ I like, and it’s the topping of this strawberry poke cake! If you guessed Cool Whip (or some form of a whipped topping), then you’re right!

And let me say that I much prefer whipped cream over Cool Whip, but sometimes you just need something a little more convenient. And, who am I kidding, Cool Whip is delicious!

Overhead view of a strawberry jello poke cake in a glass baking dish.

What’s a poke cake?

Have you ever had a poke cake before? Or even heard of it? I first saw these kinds of cakes floating around Pinterest world years ago, and it always boggled my mind. A poke cake? So weird!

So, if you’re wondering what a poke cake is, it’s basically a baked cake that has holes poked through and then some kind of combination of liquid (most popular would be Jello) poured on top of the cake.

Once the cake has been refrigerated for a few hours, it takes on a magical kind of flavor, usually in combination with the flavor of Jello or liquid that has ‘poked’ through the holes.

It may sound strange to you…and trust me, it sounded strange to me too, until I tried it. Now, I’m a poke cake believer, friends!

This strawberry Jello poke cake features a vanilla cake that’s studded with lots of strawberry flavor. Soft cake is drizzled with sweet strawberry Jello and then topped with a strawberry glaze and a creamy whipped topping. Simple to make and even better to eat, you’ll love this moist and fresh cake!

Since strawberry season is officially upon us, I thought this was the perfect kind of cake to debut today. Strawberries are a favorite fruit of mine and I just can’t get enough of it lately.

A strawberry jello cake on a white dessert plate.

Ingredients in This Strawberry Poke Cake

The base of this cake comes from a boxed mix. Yep, you read that right, no homemade cake makin’ happening here today! Though you could certainly do that if you would like.

But, remember, I’m all about easy around here! I used a vanilla cake mix, but feel free to use any kind that you like.

In addition to the boxed cake mix, here’s what else you’ll need to make this Jello poke cake recipe:

Boxed vanilla cake mix
Strawberry Jello
Water
Strawberry pie filling
Cool Whip
Fresh strawberries

Can I Use Another Flavor of Jello?

I’m sure you could! You could mix and match the fruit flavors in this Jello poke cake recipe as you see fit.

How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake

This easy strawberry poke cake recipe may look more time consuming, but I can assure you that is really is a breeze to whip up! Would I ever steer you wrong, friends?

After you bake the cake according to the directions, you’ll want to let it cool slightly, and then poke holes all over the cake so that the Lello seeps in. (I used the bottom of a wooden spoon to do this, but any rounded utensil will work.)
Once that’s done, pour the jello mixture all over the cake, cover, and then refrigerate for several hours (or overnight).
To give this cake an extra boost of strawberry deliciousness, I topped it with strawberry pie filling and then layered Cool Whip on top.
Garnish with some fresh strawberries, and your strawberry Jello cake is ready to be devoured!

A strawberry poke cake slice on a white plate. A bite has been speared on a fork, which is resting on the plate.

Can I Prep This Strawberry Jello Cake in Advance?

Yes! It’s best to refrigerate this cake for at least 3-4 hours so that it soaks up that strawberry goodness. I refrigerated mine overnight, so this can easily be made in advance.

Can This Recipe Be Made Into a Layer Cake?

I’ve never tried doing a double layer cake before with this, but I’m thinking it might work!

How Long Do Poke Cakes Last?

This strawberry Jello poke cake will last up to five days in the fridge, noting that the cake will soften over time.

Tips for Making a Jello Poke Cake

This strawberry poke cake is pretty much foolproof, but here are a few tips for success:

Using a boxed cake mix makes this poke cake recipe extra speedy! I used a vanilla cake mix, but any kind will work.
Prepare and bake the cake according to the packaged directions. Let the cake cool slightly, about 10-15 minutes in the pan, and then poke holes in the cake using a rounded utensil (I used the bottom of a wooden spoon).
Prepare the Jello as directed and then be sure to pour all over the cake, making sure it seeps into the holes.
Don’t skip the strawberry pie filling! It gives this poke cake an extra touch of deliciousness.
Any whipped topping (such as Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream) works perfectly for frosting the cake.

Oh-so soft, moist, and bursting with flavor, you’ll never guess that this easy strawberry poke cake was made from a boxed mix! It’s simple to prepare and perfect for devouring all year long!

Looking for more strawberry dessert recipes?

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