Pioneer Woman Strawberry Poke Cake: An Easy & Delicious Dessert Recipe

Strawberry Poke Cake is a classic dessert that’s incredibly moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. This easy recipe, inspired by the home-style goodness you might find from the Pioneer Woman, starts with a simple white cake mix and transforms it into a strawberry sensation. Infused with strawberry jello and topped with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce and light whipped topping, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Poke cakes are a fantastic choice, especially during warmer months, as they are served chilled and are wonderfully refreshing. This strawberry version is a family favorite, and for good reason! Its simplicity and delicious taste make it a go-to dessert for potlucks, BBQs, or just a sweet treat at home. If you love easy and flavorful desserts, this Strawberry Poke Cake recipe is a must-try.

a white plate with a slice of strawberry poke cake with a whole cake dish in the background

Why This Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe is a Must-Try

As a home baker, having a repertoire of easy and reliable dessert recipes is invaluable. This Strawberry Poke Cake is one of those recipes you’ll turn to time and time again. Poke cakes, sometimes called Jello cakes, are not only visually appealing but also incredibly budget-friendly and taste absolutely divine.

Their enduring popularity stems from their simplicity and deliciousness. This recipe allows you to showcase the vibrant flavor of strawberries, especially when they are in season. While it looks like you’ve spent hours crafting a homemade masterpiece, it’s surprisingly simple to make and offers endless flavor variations.

This strawberries and cream poke cake is a modern twist on an old-fashioned sheet cake, utilizing a convenient white cake mix as a base. While vanilla cake mix could also be used, white cake mix provides a lighter color that beautifully contrasts with the strawberry jello. After baking, the cake is dotted with holes, ready to absorb the jello mixture, creating an unbelievably moist and flavorful texture. It’s like a deconstructed strawberry shortcake in cake form!

The cake is then generously topped with a fresh strawberry sauce, followed by a smooth layer of whipped topping and garnished with slices of fresh strawberries for an extra touch of freshness.

Reasons to Make This Cake Right Now

Quick and Easy: This cake truly exemplifies “easy baking.” It looks and tastes like it’s made from scratch, but it leverages a cake mix for speed and convenience. You could easily whip up several variations in no time!
Party Perfect: Strawberry Poke Cake is always a hit at gatherings. Its sheet cake format makes it ideal for serving a crowd.
Customizable: The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can experiment with different cake flavors (white, yellow, chocolate, or even red velvet), jello or pudding flavors, and toppings – the possibilities are endless!
Kid-Friendly Fun: Kids will love helping you make this cake, from poking holes to spreading the toppings. And of course, they’ll adore eating it!
Versatile Dessert: Similar to other poke cake variations, like Lemon Poke Cake, this strawberry version is a delightful and refreshing dessert option.

rectangle glass baking dish with white cake and three glass bowls with strawberries, whipped cream and jello mix powder

Ingredients for Your Strawberry Dream Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable Strawberry Poke Cake. It’s a simple shopping list that delivers maximum flavor:

White Cake Mix: A 15-ounce box of white cake mix forms the base of our cake. Follow the package instructions for additional ingredients needed (usually eggs, oil, and water). Duncan Hines is a popular choice.
Strawberry Jello: A 0.3-ounce box of strawberry jello is the secret to the cake’s signature moistness and vibrant strawberry flavor. It also creates beautiful color contrast within the cake.
Cool Whip Topping: You’ll need 8 ounces of thawed Cool Whip topping. Its light and airy texture provides the perfect creamy finish.
Fresh Strawberries: About 1 cup of fresh strawberries are needed. This is a great way to use up those extra strawberries you might have! They are used to make the delicious homemade strawberry sauce and for garnish.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is essential for sweetening and thickening the strawberry sauce. About ¼ cup is needed.
Lemon Juice: A touch of lemon juice, about ½ tablespoon, brightens the strawberry sauce with a hint of tartness, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

How to Bake a Perfect Strawberry Poke Cake: Step-by-Step

This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, and the steps are straightforward. The hardest part is patiently waiting for it to chill before you can enjoy a slice!

Step 1: Bake the Cake
Prepare the white cake mix batter according to the package directions. Pour the batter into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for the time indicated on the cake mix box, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Sauce
While the cake is baking, prepare the strawberry sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the strawberries have softened and the sauce has slightly thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Poke and Soak
Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes. While the cake is still slightly warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake, about 1-inch apart.

Step 4: Add the Jello
Prepare the strawberry jello according to package directions, but use only the amount of water specified to create a liquid mixture (do not let it set). Pour the liquid jello mixture evenly over the warm cake, making sure it seeps into all the holes.

Step 5: Chill and Top
Spread the prepared strawberry sauce evenly over the top of the jello-soaked cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the jello and sauce to fully set and the cake to chill completely. Just before serving, spread the thawed Cool Whip evenly over the top of the chilled cake. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, if desired, for a beautiful finishing touch.

Variations and Delicious Swaps

Vanilla Pudding Poke Cake: For a creamy twist, swap out the strawberry jello for vanilla pudding. Prepare the pudding according to package directions and pour it over the poked cake while it’s still slightly warm.
Homemade Whipped Cream: Elevate the topping by making your own fresh whipped cream. Simply beat 2 cups of cold heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
Adult Strawberry Poke Cake: For an adult version, you can add a splash of vodka or strawberry liqueur to the jello mixture before pouring it over the cake. This adds a subtle boozy kick.

strawberry poke cake topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices in a 9×13 glass baking dish

Tips for Poke Cake Perfection

Liquid Jello is Key: Ensure the jello powder is fully dissolved in the water and remains in liquid form for easy pouring and absorption into the cake.
Frozen Strawberries for Sauce: In a pinch, frozen strawberries can be used for the sauce. Just thaw them slightly before cooking.
Chill Before Topping: Refrigerate the cake with the jello and strawberry sauce before adding the whipped topping to prevent it from melting.
Yellow Cake Mix Option: If you prefer a richer flavor, yellow cake mix can be used instead of white cake mix.
Jello Only Version: For a simpler cake, you can skip the strawberry sauce topping and just pour the strawberry jello directly over the cake.
Flavor Experimentation: White cake mix is a versatile base that pairs well with almost any flavor of jello. Feel free to experiment with different jello flavors next time!
Pie Filling Shortcut: If you’re short on time, strawberry pie filling can be used as a substitute for the homemade strawberry sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Poke Cake

Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes! This cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can prepare it up to the point of chilling in the refrigerator a day in advance. Once the jello is poured in, it can chill for a minimum of 2 hours or even overnight. Add the whipped topping and fresh strawberries just before serving.

How should I store leftover Strawberry Poke Cake?
Any leftover Strawberry Poke Cake (if there are any!) should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze Strawberry Poke Cake?
Surprisingly, yes, Strawberry Poke Cake freezes very well. To freeze, ensure it’s chilled in the refrigerator first to firm up the whipped topping. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-friendly bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How do I thaw a frozen poke cake?
Since this cake is meant to be served chilled, thawing is simple. Just transfer the frozen cake from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.

What’s the best way to poke holes in a poke cake?
The most popular method is using the handle of a wooden spoon. It creates holes that are just the right size for the jello to seep through without making them too large and compromising the cake’s structure. Alternatively, you can use a fork to create smaller, more numerous holes.

More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Strawberry Blueberry Parfaits

Strawberry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls

Blueberry Lemon Bread

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Easy Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe

Strawberry Poke Cake is a moist, fresh, and incredibly easy dessert made with a white cake mix, infused with strawberry jello, and topped with a homemade strawberry sauce and whipped topping!

4.97 from 62 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Refrigerate Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 36 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 319kcal
Author: Sherri Hagymas

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix (15 ounce)
3 large eggs (per Duncan Hines box)
⅓ cup vegetable oil (per Duncan Hines box)
1 cup water (per Duncan Hines box)
1 box Strawberry Jello (.3 ounce box)
8 ounces Cool Whip topping, thawed

Strawberry Topping

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Prepare cake batter according to the package directions.
Pour batter into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish and bake for the time indicated on the box or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until strawberries soften and sauce slightly thickens. Set aside to cool slightly.
Remove cake from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes.
Mix the jello packet with the amount of water listed on the box in a large measuring cup.
After the cake is no longer hot, poke holes all over the cake with the end of a wooden spoon.
Pour the entire jello mixture evenly over the top of the entire cake.
Then spread the strawberry sauce over the top of the jello-soaked cake.
Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours to set.
Remove from refrigerator and spread Cool Whip evenly over the cake.
Top with additional fresh strawberries if desired.

Recipe Notes

Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Use a yellow box cake if desired for a richer flavor.
Use sugar-free jello if preferred to reduce sugar content.
Omit the strawberry sauce topping for a simpler version, just pour jello over cake and refrigerate.
Make the cake up to 2 days ahead, leaving off the whipped topping until ready to serve.
Nutritional information is based on regular Jello (not sugar-free).

Nutrition

Nutritional Disclosure

Nutritional information is automatically calculated and is an approximation.

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