Strawberry Gelatin Cake (Poke Cake!)
Strawberry gelatin cake recipe is the ultimate summer dessert! Packed full of sweet strawberries and cool cream all on top of a red and white swirled cake. This tasty dessert is perfect for sharing at cookouts, picnics, and summer parties!
Ingredients
For The Cake
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix yellow cake mix can also be used
- 3 large eggs, egg whites only
- 1/2 cup oil vegetable, canola or your favorite cooking oil
- 1 cup water
For The Strawberry Sauce
- 7 ounces strawberries fresh or frozen, about a cup
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For The Toppings
- 3.3 ounces strawberry gelatin mix one box
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 10 ounces whipped topping like Cool Whip
- 16 ounces strawberries one pint, fresh
Instructions
Baking The Cake
- Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions, mixing in the egg whites (or whole eggs), oil and water as listed on the package. I've listed the most common egg, oil and water (if required) using the amounts listed on your package. I have included the common amounts in the ingredients list for the recipe, but you should use what is listed on your cake mix.15.25 ounces white cake mix, 3 large eggs, egg whites only, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup water
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees for a metal pan and 325 degrees for a glass pan. Pour the batter into a 9x13 pan and bake according to the package directions, usually 28-35 minutes.
- Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes or until cool to the touch.
Make The Strawberry Sauce
- In a medium sauce pan add 7 ounces strawberries (1 cup,) sugar and lemon juice. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 6 minutes.7 ounces strawberries, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Once the cake is cool, poke holes in the cake in rows for the gelatin, about 9-10 rows down the longer side of the pan. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a similar tool to poke holes in even lines all the way down the cake.
Add Jello And Strawberry Sauce Layers
- Prepare the Jello in a pourable container. Add 1 cup of boiling water to the mix and stir until the gelatin dissolves. Add 1/2 cup of cold water and continue stirring for a minute.3.3 ounces strawberry gelatin mix, 1 1/2 cups water
- Carefully pour the prepared gelatin evenly over top of the cake. Pour evenly so all of the holes are filled with gelatin.
- Spread the strawberry sauce evenly over the top of the entire cake. Chill the entire cake for at least 4 hours (or overnight) so the gelatin and the strawberry sauce both have plenty of time to set.
Decorate The Cake
- Top the cake with the whipped topping and decorate with sliced strawberries. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy!10 ounces whipped topping, 16 ounces strawberries
Video
Notes
The cake mix flavor can be swapped out easily for other flavors such as yellow cake, strawberry cake or even cherry chip. Chocolate or other darker-colored cakes don't typically work as well because it's then harder to see the red gelatin in the cake. Follow the directions on your box of cake mix to know how much water, oil and eggs to add to your cake and how long to bake it. You can use any cake mix that has instructions for making the cake in a 9 x13 inch pan.
For the strawberry sauce you can use fresh or frozen strawberries. If you choose frozen strawberries you will need to cook the sauce for an extra few minutes.
When the strawberry sauce is thick enough that it can coat the back of a spoon, the sauce has cooked enough.
You can use any flavor of gelatin you want. Keep in mind using strawberry enhances the strawberry flavor. Using other flavors may give your cake a different combination of flavors. (Try raspberry, it's delicious too!)
When you are chilling your cake, make sure the cake is sitting flat. If your cake leans, the liquid in the cake will also lean to one side.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0.5mg | Sodium: 318mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 1mg