Strawberry Poke Cake is the perfect dessert for summer. It's light, cool, and so easy to make, yet looks and tastes like you spent hours baking! A great addition to any barbecue, potluck, or holiday gathering, this sweet treat is a real crowd-pleaser, thanks to ingredients like:

light and airy white cake
fresh, bright strawberries
silky, smooth cheesecake pudding
fluffy and ethereal whipped topping

What is Poke Cake?

A poke cake is a basic white sheet cake that you poke holes into after baking, then fill with liquid (traditionally flavored gelatin) to infuse the cake with tons of moisture and flavor. Depending on the choice of filling, the cake can be "poked" with a fork, which works well for thinner liquids like gelatin and syrups, or with a bamboo skewer, wooden spoon handle, or even a [easyazon_link identifier="B007Q93AFU" locale="US" tag="allshecooksblog-20"]pastry cream injector[/easyazon_link] for thicker sauces and cream fillings.

Who Invented the Poke Cake?

Poke cake was invented in 1969 by the General Foods Corporation, as a way to increase sales of their flagship product, Jell-O. We've taken their original Strawberry Poke Cake recipe a step further by adding a hidden layer of delectable cheesecake pudding topped with sliced, fresh strawberries.

More Poke Cake Recipes

Bakers are now moving beyond traditional gelatin, and filling their poke cakes with everything from flavored syrups and chocolate, to salted caramel, coffee, and even boozy cocktail mixes! So if you're feeling adventurous, you've got to check out our recipe for Boozy Pineapple Piña Colada Poke Cake! In the mood for a more decadent dessert? Rich and delicious Chocolate Toffee Poke Cake is sure to satisfy all the senses. And, if you're looking for another perfect summertime dessert, Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake is a fun take on the classic frozen treat.

How To Make Strawberry Poke Cake Step by Step

Step #1: Bake cake in 13x9 pan according to package instructions. Allow to cool.

top-down view of the unbaked white cake in a blue print baking dish

Step #2: Using a fork, poke holes in the top of the cake.

baked white sheet cake with holes poked all over the top, sitting next to a white bowl of the liquid strawberry gelatin mixture

Step #3: Mix together gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until dissolved, and then pour the gelatin over the cake, making sure to pour over the holes.

close-up of the white sheet cake with strawberry gelatin mixture soaking into the top

Step #4: Next, mix together cheesecake pudding mix together with 1 ½ cups of milk. Pour and spread over the cake. Add a layer of 1 cup of strawberries.

in-progress view of the strawberry poke cake with the cheesecake pudding and sliced fresh strawberries added on top

Step #5: Top with whipped topping and additional cup of strawberries.

completed strawberry poke cake frosted with whipped topping

Step #6: Chill for 4 hours before serving, then slice and enjoy!

Recipe

Strawberry Poke Cake

Yield Servings 12
Prep Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Cook Time 35 mins
Total Total Time 45 mins

Ingredients

1 18.25 ounce package white cake mix, prepared to package instructions
1 package, 3 ounce package strawberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 package, 3.4 ounce cheesecake pudding
1 ½ cup milk
8 ounces whipped topping, thawed
2 cup sliced strawberries

Instructions

1
Bake cake in 13x9 pan according to package instructions. Allow to cool.
2
Using a fork, poke holes in the top of the cake.
3
Mix together gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until dissolved, and then pour the gelatin over the cake, making sure to pour over the holes.
4
Next, mix together cheesecake pudding mix together with 1 ½ cups of milk. Pour and spread over the cake.
5
Add a layer of 1 cup of strawberries.
6
Top with whipped topping and additional cup of strawberries. Chill for 4 hours before serving.