Strawberry Jello Poke Cake (Extra Fluffy)

This strawberry jello poke cake recipe is super versatile. Depending on the event you are hosting, you can switch out the flavor of jello. For the 4th of July, we like to do a red and blue jello mix. For birthday parties, we mix up several colors or use the person’s favorite flavors and colors. You can also top the jello cake with fruits for extra flavor and garnish.

What is a Jello Poke Cake? 

Jello poke cake recipes are all-American, no-fuss desserts that have been around since the famous gelatin brand stepped onto the scene. It’s made with a sponge cake base (or sometimes a boxed white cake mix) and features swirls of strawberry gelatin and creamy whipped topping. It’s called a “poke” cake because after it’s baked it’s poked with holes all over the top and filled with jello liquid. This seeps into the rest of the cake, causing those beautiful, signature swirls!

How to Whip Up Our Strawberry Jello Cake

All this simple recipe requires is 6 ingredients and a mild technique. Consider it one of those easy dessert recipes you can lean on in a pinch!

• Make the Cake Batter: First, combine the eggs with sugar in a large bowl until light and airy. Using a spatula, fold the flour in gradually. 
• Bake the Jello Cake: Next, grease the baking dish and pour the batter in. Bake the cake at 350°F for 30 minutes and allow it to cool to room temperature. 
• Poke the Cake: Using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes into the cake. Prepare the jello according to the package instructions, allow it to cool to room temperature, and pour it into the holes. 
• Frost the Cake: Next, frost the cooled cake with Cool Whip. 
• Refrigerate the Cake: Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or up to overnight before serving. Slice and enjoy!

5 Tips for Making the Jello Poke Cake

A few helpful tips will help you get perfect swirls and a seriously moist jello poke cake. 

1. Fold in the flour gradually. To keep the batter light and airy, fold the flour in slowly and gradually with a baking spatula. If you mix it too vigorously, the cake will fall flat.
2. Use boxed cake mix in a pinch. To simplify the process you can use the boxed cake mix, although we love to use a good, old-fashioned homemade sponge cake recipe.
3. Adjust the jello color and flavor for each event. This cake can be prepared for everything from Christmas (think: raspberry or cherry jello and green sprinkles on top) to a casual springtime BBQ (think: lemon and lime jello and fresh fruit on top!). There are endless combinations you can play around with – go wild!
4. Whip up homemade whipped cream instead. Make a quick homemade whipped cream if you don’t like Cool Whip. To do so, whip 1 cup of extra cold heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer with a little sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
5. For best results, let the cake rest overnight in the refrigerator. While you can get away with a 2 hour set in the fridge, an overnight rest is best. This allows the cake to get super moist and develop its flavors.

Storing Leftover Cake

To keep jello poke cake on hand for up to a week, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This will prevent it from soaking up any smells lingering in the fridge, while also helping it to continue to develop its flavors. Hello, delicious leftovers! 

FAQ

Other Jello Cake Recipes to Try

• Strawberry Jello Cake Dessert – Creamy, no-bake jello cake
• Jello Fruit Cake Dessert – 70’s-style jello cake
• Bird’s Milk Cake (Ptichye Moloko) – Classic Slavic cake
• Espresso Jello Shots – Coffee and condensed milk shots

Share Some Love ❤️

Recipe

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake (Extra Fluffy)

Print Pin

Servings

12 servings

Prep Time 25 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This super tasty strawberry jello poke cake features swirls of bright red and white cake. Covered in Cool Whip, it’s super refreshing and kid-friendly!

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 6 oz strawberry jello package
• 2 cups Cool Whip

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Combine the eggs with sugar, whisking until the mixture is light and airy.
  
• Using a spatula, fold in the flour in small portions to keep the mixture light and airy. Grease a 9in.x13in. baking dish and pour the batter in.
  
• Bake the cake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Once the cake is ready, a toothpick should come out clean from the center. Let the sponge cake cool to room temperature and poke holes in it with the bottom of a wooden spoon 1/2-inch apart. Prepare the jello according to the package instructions.
  
• Once the jello fully cools to room temperature, pour the jello mixture over the cake and fill up all the holes. Frost the top of the cake with Cool Whip.
  
• Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for at least a few hours before serving. Enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake (Extra Fluffy)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 152 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Cholesterol 83mg28%

Sodium 40mg2%

Potassium 55mg2%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 140IU3%

Calcium 27mg3%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.