Best Strawberry Poke Cake [VIDEO]
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Strawberry Poke Cake is made with white cake, soaked with a mixture of white chocolate strawberry sauce, topped with strawberry pie filling and creamy whipped cream.
Poke Cakes are very popular on the blog because they are so easy to make, look stunning and taste delicious. Upon popular demand, we have added few other delicious poke cakes to the collection, like Pumpkin Poke Cake, German Chocolate Poke Cake, and Baileys Poke Dessert.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Best Strawberry Poke Cake that I have ever had, hands-down! This homemade dessert is basically a dream come true, if you allow me to make a cheesy comparison, I would say that’s what probably angels eat! I mean, this Strawberry Poke Cake is so tender and so fluffy and it melts in your mouth. Its also moist, yes, I said it, it’s moist! Because it has been filled with the most amazing white chocolate sauce. Topped with a layer of strawberry pie filling and a thick layer of homemade whipped cream, each bite tastes like spring!
Usually, a Strawberry Poke Cake is infused with a strawberry gelatin mixture, well, I took it to a whole new level and I made a white chocolate strawberry sauce, that has been poured all over the cake and got into all the holes. Full of flavor, airy, sweet and bursting with all the delicious and different strawberry textures, this dessert is fantastic and also very, very easy to make.
Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe Recipe Tips:
- Using a cake mix will reduce the prep time. A White Cake mix is best for this recipe.
- The strawberry pie filling layer is optional, but it adds a nice flavor and texture to it.
- To save time you can use store-bought whipped cream aka Cool-Whip instead of making your own.
- You can make a Strawberry Jello mixture to fill the poke cake, see instructions above.
- Let the cake chill for at least 8 hours in the fridge before serving, this will make the cake extra tender.
- Keep the dessert refrigerated as the frosting will soften if kept at room temperature for too long.
- Clean the knife after each cut, otherwise, the slices will be messier, since the frosting may stick to the knife.
- Fresh strawberries add a nice texture and flavor to the cake, don’t skip them.
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What is a Poke Cake?
A “poke cake” it’s a cake that you poke holes into after baking and then fill it with a liquid or filling to infuse extra flavor into every bite and make it very tender.
How do you make a jello poke cake?
Instead of using the condensed milk and white chocolate combo to make the liquid that gets infused into the cake you can make a jello mixture. Mix 1 (3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water until completely dissolved, stir in 1/2 cup of cold water. Pour the mixture over the poked cake and refrigerate immediately for at least 3 hours.
HOW TO FREEZE THE STRAWBERRY POKE CAKE?
- If freezing the cake without adding the frosting, first wait for the cake layer to cool completely. Fully wrap in plastic wrap tightly. Next, wrap in aluminum foil or place it in freezer bags.
- If freezing a frosted cake, first place it in the fridge, so the frosting isn’t too soft. Fully wrap the cake in plastic wrap tightly. Next, wrap in aluminum foil or place it in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost before slicing.
Tools/Ingredients I used to make this Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe:
- 9×13 Cake Pan – I swear by this cake pan, it is non-stick, and of such good quality.
Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe Video:
Best Strawberry Poke Cake
Strawberry Poke Cake is made with white cake, soaked with a mixture of white chocolate strawberry sauce, topped with strawberry pie filling and creamy whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients to prepare the mix
- 3 eggs whites
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 package 3 oz JELL-O strawberry flavor gelatin
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 cans 21 oz each strawberry pie filling
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream full fat and cold
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10-15 fresh strawberries sliced
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease and sprinkle with flour a 9-x-13 inch cake pan.
Prepare white cake mix according to box instructions. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes and using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake.
- In a medium, microwave safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Heat in the microwave until hot for about 1 minute, stir and heat 30 seconds or more if needed. Stir until fully combined, smooth and shiny.
Stir in the strawberry gelatin mix into the warm water. Make sure it dissolves, otherwise it will be gritty. Stir the strawberry mixture into the condensed milk mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Pour the strawberry chocolate mixture all over the cake and using a spatula spread it evenly into the holes.
- Let the cake cool completely and refrigerate for about one hour.
- Top the cake with the strawberry pie filling if using.
- In a large bowl, beat heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Using a spoon, scoop the whipped cream all over the cake and spread it with a spatula.
- Garnish the cake with sliced strawberries.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 8 hours or better overnight before serving.
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Wow! That dish looks so delicious! The instapot can make a lot of great meals. I probably should get myself one sometime soon.
can you imagine this in Cherry!!! Wow.
Great! Except the jello… I mixed just the powder with the white chocolate/milk and it crystallized. So now I have a cake that has a slight crunch!
I didn’t have that problem, maybe you let the chocolate cool? Cause if you mix it into warm chocolate it dissolves.
In the recipe it say to dissolved it in 1/4 warm water…
Making it now, will let you know…
Is 1/4 cup of water correct
You have to mix the jello with the warm water to dissolve it first, then add to the white chocolate mixture.
cake is delicious
happy that you loved it 🙂
Just made it tonight to sell at one of my stores. I will let you know what people think about it.
How did the strawberry poke do at your store? I made some one for Christmas and everyone loved it. I didn’t use the strawberry gelatin. I used the white chocolate chips and condensed milk poured over the holes and cake then added strawberry pie filling. I think it was way better
Wanting to clarify, the written instrustions mention hello in the water. However, the video shows putting the jello mix directly into the white choc/condensed milk.
Hi, please follow the instruction and dissolve in water first. A few people had issues fully dissolving the jello in the chocolate mixture, not sure why, so I tested it with the water to make sure it turns our well for everyone.
Thanks! Sorry for the mistyping Love auto correct even when not needed.
Will this still turnout the same if I use yellow cake?
yes, it will work well with yellow cake.
What can be used to replace pie filling
You can skip it if you don’t gave it, it adds another decadent layer. You can also use lemon curd, for a lemon strawberry cake. You can even used some pudding or more fresh strawberries.
Get in my belly! Om nom nom. That seriously looks so amazing. I have to make this.
Poke 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. This looks amazing I might have to make it for Thanksgiving.
Who doesn’t love this? I mean, seriously! It looks so delicious and the recipe looks so easy.
This is an amazing recipe! It looks so moist and delicious. May have to make this for Thanksgiving!
This cake looks superb! I would love to try it during the holidays when I need to bake a sweet treat!
I’ve never actually had this before but it looks amazing. Now I must give this a try!
I’ve never made a poke cake before, they look so easy though!
This is absolutely droolworthy! Definitely worth a try!
This cake looks absolutely delicious!!!!! I am all about anything with strawberries!
This is seriously one of my favorite cakes. I had a coworker that would make this and I was obsessed.
I have to make this for a birthday! And I’m wondering I dont want it to be to soggy because it isn’t til 3 on a Saturday. Any tips?!
No, it will actually taste even better 🙂 as the cake will soak in the flavors. Make sure you keep it in the fridge.
I’ve been wanting to try a poke cake! this sound so yummy. Perfect Thanksgiving dessert when you don’t want pie.
Can a person use only cool whip on top ? Would that be the same as whipping cream ?
Yes, sure, just skip making your own whipped cream and top the cake with cool whip!
Can I use cool whip instead of whipping cream?
Yes, sure, just skip making your own whipped cream and top the cake with cool whip!
For the whipped cream, can you use powdered sugar or does it have to be granular?
it can be powdered sugar too
Strawberry Poke Cake made this cake for church dinner it was the first to go will make it for Thanksgiving
Can I mix some soft cream cheese with the cool whip to make it a cream cheese frosting?
I haven’t tried that, but I think it should work.
Hello in the video they just mix the jello with the chocolate but in the instructions it says mix with water? Which one do I follow and if it’s with the water how much water do I use? Please help
Hi, for some reason the jello didn’t dissolve too well for some people in the warm white chocolate mix. To avoid any unwanted surprises, dissolve it first in the listed 1/4 cup of water. After that add it to the condensed milk and chocolate mixture.
Do we follow the instructions on the jello box? 2 cups hot water, 2 cups cold water?
no, please follow the recipe instructions and mix with 1/4 cup water before adding to the condensed milk and chocolate mixture.
Do I have to use the strawberry jello? I will still do the chocolate mix and the strawberry pie filling?
It is up to you, its what makes the cake look more pinkish inside, but you can skip it if you want.
Hi! I just made this tonight for Thanksgiving, but I was wanting to try it with a banana pudding twist. Was wondering if instead of strawberry jello, do you think banana or vanilla pudding would work in the chocolate mixture? Thanks so much force sharing this awesome recipe!!
I have never mixed the pudding into the chocolate mixture. But if you want you can try, I think it should work. First, make sure you prepare the pudding per package directions until its combined and smooth, after that stir it into the chocolate mixture little by little until fully combined. Add the mixture to the poke cake. Let me know please how it turns out!
Will it be ok if I only have one can of strawberry pie filling??
yes, just try to distribute it evenly. You will just have less strawberry flavor.
I’m slightly confused. The recipe says to mix the jello in warm water but the video shows the powder going directly into the white chocolate mixture. Does it make a difference? I followed the recipe not the video.
It doesn’t make much of a difference, if you check the comment section, sometimes the jello didn’t dissolve too well so to avoid that I modified to first dissolve it in some water first.
I bought whipped topping instead of whipping cream to put on top of the cake..so do i still mix the whipped topping sugar and vanilla flavor in a bowl before applying to the cake
nope, just use the whipped topping you bought.
Ok thanks
What’s the recipe to make the whipping cream?
Please check the recipe carefully, everything is listed. The whipped cream ingredients under “Other ingredients” and these is a section in the directions specifically for whipped cream. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Come on pple. If u’ll read the directions carefully it’s very easy to understand and will prevent the author from having to answer the same ques over and over again.
Your recipe sounds droolicious! Will definitely try it for my daughter bday on sat.
🙂 thank you
I made this cake for my daughters’ 1st bday on sat. It was a HUGE hit! Seconds were requested and so too was the recipe! I was elated ?
Ty for sharing. Will be trying the Pecan Pie Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Thank you for the feedback! That cheesecake is amazing, I hope you like it!
I only have 4 hours to refrigerate it. Will it still taste okay??
not ideal, but it will be good.
Can anyone recommend the brand of the pie filling used? The one we got at Walmart does not look “good “ and my 11 year old is making this? Will strawberry glaze work with fresh cut strawberries?
I used the Duncan Hines brand.
The glaze may work, as long as its not too watery.
I just made this, it’s in the fridge. Why does it need to stay in there for 8 hours? By now the entire cake is already cold.
You can dig in, but the cake gets better when all the flavors settle and the mixture soaks in.
What can I use instead of chocolate?
thats an important ingredient, can’t really be substituted, unless you just want to use the jello mix.
If I don’t have white chocolate, could I just warm the condensed milk and add the gelatin? Or would that probably not taste right? If not, I’ll just follow the instructions for just the gelatin poke cake! Thanks!
You can make it without the chocolate, but you will have to increase the condensed milk as it wont be enough.
Cant find any strawberrys in our stores what can i use to replace the strawberrys ?
any fruit that you like will work, how about raspberries?
What if you us regular chocolate chips?
it will work, they some times dont melt as well, makes sure they are fresh,
I just made this tonight. It is gonna be in the fridge cooling overnight but I cant wait to try it, it looks so delicious!
Update: This was absolutely delicious! The family loved it!!
Hi can I use milk chocolate as well rather then white?
sure, any that you like!
Can you use pudding & or fruit in the whipped topping? My daughter used pudding and fruit in a different recipe.ThankYou! ?
Yes, you can, any pudding you like will work.
Today is Friday if I make it tonight for my moms birthday Sunday Will it be okay in the fridge that long? My other option is making it Saturday night for Sunday around noon so I feel like that’s not enough time. Help please!
It will be ok either way, just add the fresh fruit before serving, otherwise it will not look good.
I would love to take this to my sewing group on Valentine;s Day. However, it would not save the written recipe so i can print it and take it to my kitchen while I prepare and cook. Is that a feature of your site or problem with my computer? And advice appreciated. Thank you.
Mea culpa…my friend just found the Print button for me!!
Looking forward to making and serving.
Mercy! I made this using strawberry supreme cake mix. Heavenly!!
🙂 so happy that you loved and such a good idea for using Strawberry Cake Mix!
I have leftover white almond bark from Christmas. What are the chances that I can replace the white chocolate with the bark ?
I don’t see why not, it should work well!
Can you put already made strawberry jello on top of cake instead of pie filling
I made this in November for my daughter’s birthday I am making it again today for my mother-in-law’s birthday 2/23/19 it was a huge everyone loved it!
This is my new favorite dessert. Everyone loved it. There was an issue with the pie filling and whipped cream sliding off the jello layer when plated. Not quite sure how to fix that? Maybe poke it all over with a toothpick and maybe the layers will grab each other? Next time we make it we’ll try lemon. Definitely let it sit in the fridge for a day. It makes a huge difference in flavor. Excellent dessert!
Can i do this in a cupcake?
sure, let me know if you have any questions.
can you replace something else for strawberry Jello? please give me some ideas? can I skip the jello?
You can easily use just the condensed milk and white chocolate mixture or make a milk mixture like in my Tres Leches Cake, that will go well in this cake. That if you don’t care much about the strawberry flavor.
If I make it on a Tuesday night will it stay good until Monday night?
You mean if it will stay good for one week?
Could you melt the white chocolate and mix the condensed milk together on the stove top as double boiler? Mix the jello in after chocolate is melted and smooth while it is still warm. Think that may solve the problem some have with the jello not dissolving completely?
Yes, totally, that would solve that problem! The chocolate mixture needs to be warm, thats key!
Hi! I accidentally ordered cherry pie filling instead of strawberry! I have to get dye free jello and pie filling due to allergies. Do you think that the cherry pie filling will be good with the strawberry jello?
It will be delicious, don’t worry!
Hi,
Im from Uk and we dont have pie filling. What are your other suggestions?
Also, was wondering as condensed milk is too sweet for my liking can i use evaporated milk and add Jelly and white chocolate as normal?
jello is jelly right?
Thanks
Hi – if you don’t have pie filling you can use strawberry jam, or just lost of fresh strawberries, sliced. You can also mix about 4 cups of sliced strawberries with a simple syrup (6 tablespoons of strawberry jam, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, microwaved) and use as the filling.
No, condensed milk can’t be replaced with evaporated milk, the texture will be very different. If you know tres leches cake, that’s how the texture will be. Jello is Jelly 🙂
not a big fan of canned pie filling. used my own. i take 1 pound or 1 quart of strawberries completely crushed crushed with a potato masher, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 3 Tablespoons cornstarch,3 tablespoons of lemon juice. cook on med heat stirring constantly until thick and clear. Add another quart of fresh strawberries after it has completely cooled for a pie. I used this for my cake and it’s in the fridge now. can’t wait to try it.
The ingredient list says one 3oz package of jello. They sell .30oz and .6oz boxes of jello. Please clarify. Thanks!
do you mistake Jello for gelatin? 3 oz Jello.
Instead of white chocolate could you use milk chocolate or dark chocolate
Yes, any chocolate that you like!
Im assuming we’re using instant jello?
yes
Can this finished cake be frozen?
Yes!
Can you do this with cherry gelatin and cherry pie filling?
yes!!! it will be delish!