Strawberry Jello Cake

Name: Strawberry Jello Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 175 min
Ingredients: 1 box gluten-free yellow cake mix (prepared per box instructions); 1 box strawberry jello (✅ ); 8 ounces whipped cream (✅ ); fresh strawberries (optional)

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Strawberry Jello Cake is a delicious jello poke cake that starts with a classic yellow cake mix, which is baked to perfection and then infused with sweet and fruity strawberry Jello. The result is a moist and tasty cake that’s bursting with flavor in every bite.

Whether you’re serving this cake for a summer barbecue, a birthday party, or just because, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love. So why wait? Whip up a batch of this strawberry poke cake with jello today and enjoy the delicious taste of fresh strawberries in every bite!

I highly recommend adding this recipe for jello cake to your list along with other cool whip desserts like Snickers Apple Salad and Pineapple Fluff.

Table of Contents

What is a Jello Poke Cake?

A poke cake otherwise known as a poke-and-pour cake is a cake that has been baked then poked with holes for a liquid to be poured over the top. This allows the flavor of your choice to be infused into your favorite cake resulting in a moist, fluffy dessert that everyone loves. Poke cake with jello has been around for ages and is characterized by its signature swirl of colors. It is a light and refreshing dessert that makes a memorable treat, especially when topped with whipped topping and fresh fruit!

Do You Have to Use Strawberry Jello?

Not at all! The sky is the limit when it comes to flavoring your jello cake. You can simply swap the strawberry jello with any other flavor such as cherry, orange, raspberry or lemon.

If I am serving poke cake for a special occasion, I will select the flavor based on the holiday or event. From lime for St. Patrick’s Day and orange for Halloween to lemon jello cake for Easter, it is really fun to feature different colors throughout the year.

Can You Use a Chocolate Cake Mix?

Yes! Just like the jello, you can also pick any cake mix for a poke cake. We think a chocolate cake flavored with a dark cherry jello sounds like an irresistible combination. You can also try making with a white, confetti or your personal favorite cake mix.

Keep in mind that if you want the Jello color to shine through, a yellow or white cake mix is going to be the best option.

How To Decorate a Strawberry Cake With Jello

We can’t image this strawberry poke cake without whipped topping and fresh strawberries on the top. The creamy cool whip and sweet berries takes the flavor to a new level. Plus, the presentation of the cake looks like it came straight from a bakery. Your guests will not only be impressed with the taste but also the appearance.

That’s not to say that if you don’t have cool whip at home that you shouldn’t make this recipe. You can make a batch of our homemade whipped cream instead or serve the cake without a topping.

Other tasty toppings to consider include frosting, fresh blueberries, lemon or orange zest, sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut shreds, banana slices or crushed gluten-free cookies.

yellow cake mix, strawberry jello mix and cool whip container displayed

Ingredients

1 box gluten-free yellow cake mix prepared per box instructions
1 box strawberry jello ✅
8 ounces whipped cream ✅
fresh strawberries optional

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

How To Make

Begin by preparing the cake. Follow the instructions on the package to make the cake batter. Once the batter is ready, proceed to bake it as directed. After baking, allow the cake to cool for a minimum of 15 minutes. Using a skewer, create holes in the cake at intervals of 1/2 inch.

boiling water poured into bowl with jello mix

water poured into mixing bowl with jello mix

Next, prepare the jello. Follow the instructions on the strawberry jello box. Combine the jello mix with boiling water and then incorporate cold water as specified. Gently spoon the prepared jello mixture over the cake, ensuring that it gradually soaks into the holes. It will take a little time to get through all of the jello, but your patience will pay off with a beautiful cake once it sets.

Now, it’s time to chill the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator and let it sit for approximately 1 to 2 hours, allowing the jello to solidify and set within the cake.

For the final touch, add a layer of whipped topping to the chilled cake. If desired, garnish with fresh strawberries. This step enhances the cake’s flavor and presentation.

How To Serve This Jello Poke Cake Recipe

You can absolutely serve this cake on its own but if you want to offer a side for your guests, go right ahead. Consider serving any of these:

Coffee
Tea
Fruit salad
Another scoop of cool whip
Glass of milk
Scoop of ice cream

cake topped with cool whip and strawberries

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Every store-bought cake mix is likely to differ in how it is made so make sure to read the instructions every time. Mix the ingredients together as directed then pour into the cake pan (or cupcake pan) and bake according to what the package says. You can find these directions on either the side or the back of the cake box.
Just like the cake mix, you will need to read the instructions on the jello mix to know how much water you need to make the jello. You can boil the water on the stovetop or in the microwave – always ask for help when boiling water. To make jello, you will want to pour in the boiling water, stir then pour in the cool water. Pour immediately over the cake, which means that you will want to wait to make the jello until the cake is baked, cool and poked.
Keep the jello cake in the fridge until the jello has set (there shouldn’t be any liquid left on the surface of the cake). If using a yellow or white cake mix, you will also see that the cake has turned a shade of pink once set. Then, you can add any desired toppings to decorate your cake. Store the finished cake in the fridge until ready to serve. If storing over night, place plastic wrap over the top or use a lid to cover.

How To Make Poke Cake Cupcakes

Change these up to individual serving sizes by making poke cake cupcakes for fun-sized treats. Cupcakes are ideal for kid birthday parties or if looking for an easy grab-and-go dessert option.

You will make the cake batter as the package directs then pour into a lined muffin tin to bake per package instructions. Once cooled for at least 15 minutes, use a skewer to poke holes 1/2 inches apart in each cupcake.

Prep the jello according to box instructions by combining it with boiling water and then cold water. Spoon the mixture over each cupcake slowly letting the liquid jello seep into the holes. Then, place the cupcakes into the fridge for 1-2 hours or until the jello has set.

Poke cake cupcakes can be decorated just like poke cake by topping with whipped topping and fresh strawberries before serving.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Measure the liquid! The amount of water poured into the jello mix matters to keep the cake from becoming soggy. You also want to pour in the boiling water before the cool water when making jello at home.
Change up the flavors every time. You can use the same recipe, again and again, to keep things quick and easy but add variation by swapping the jello or cake flavor. Being able to customize a cake without learning a new recipe makes baking way easier!
Make sure to keep a close eye on the cake as it bakes. Every oven cooks a little differently so be mindful when baking in yours to prevent overcooking or burning the top of the cake.
If you have the time, a homemade gluten-free cake can be made instead of using a box cake mix.
Store the cake flat in the fridge as the jello sets to prevent the liquid from running to one side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my poke cake soggy?

Poke cakes are meant to sit in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours or until the jello has set. If you remove earlier or store at room temperature, you will find that the cake is soggy.

What’s the best way to poke holes in a cake?

We find that a wooden skewer is the best way if available. Otherwise, a knife or the end of a spoon can be used.

Can you make poke cake recipes ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the recipe a day in advance then store in the fridge until ready to serve. I recommend adding the whipped topping and fresh strawberries right before serving.

strawberry cake in dish with missing piece

Storing and Freezing Instructions

Fridge Instructions

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, store covered in the fridge for 2-3 days. After this time, the cake tends to get a little too soggy and unappetizing to serve.

You can use a container with a lid or secure plastic wrap over the baking dish.

Consider slicing the remaining cake into individual servings before placing in a container or Ziploc bag for an easy pre-cut treat for kids.

Freezer Instructions

Poke cakes also freeze very well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Again, you can portion into individual servings before freezing to make it easier to grab a treat. It is best to label freezer foods as an easy way to keep an eye on best-by dates.

Thaw the cake portions in the fridge for a few hours or up to 24 hours. You may want to add an extra layer of cool whip or fresh berries on the top or off to the side before serving.

fork slicing into piece of strawberry cake on plate

More Gluten Free Cake Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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