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Jello Strawberry Cake is a beautiful cake much like strawberry shortcake. It is full of fresh strawberry goodness enhanced by the strawberry Jello. This is a dessert worth having every chance you can.

The Jello Strawberry Cake is a cake that you poke holes into after baking. The cake is poked all over to allow the Jello mixture to saturate the cake. It is then filled with Jell-O, strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The flavor gets in the cake for an amazing dessert.
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What We Love About This Jello Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe
- 30 Minutes: Truly it does not take much time to make this easy dessert recipe
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or the refrigerator
- Family Friendly: This cake is moist, fruity and so delicious everyone will love it – that’s the best part
- Adaptable: Can make it lower in calorie or fat if necessary

Ingredient Notes for Poke Cake Strawberry Recipe
- Cake Mix: Yellow cake mix or white cake mix made per the package directions, or with any boxed cake mix that you enjoy, even chocolate cake mix
- Jello: Strawberry gelatin prepared following the directions on the box
- Cool Whip: Of course, store brand or name brand or make your own
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries, about a pint plus fresh or frozen for the topping
- Strawberry Dessert Topping: Usually found in the produce section
If you like Jello, you need to give this jello parfait a try! We are loving it.

Equipment Needed for Jello Poke Cake Strawberry
- 9×13 Pan
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
How to Make Strawberry Jello Cake Recipes
These are the basic steps for making cake with jello. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.
STEP 1: PREPARE CAKE
The first step is to prepare cake mix according to directions and pour into a 9×13 pan and bake. Meanwhile, prepare strawberry dessert topping. In a medium sauce pan, add strawberries, sugar and lemon juice. Cook until thickened.

STEP 2: MAKE JELLO
Second, remove cake from the oven and let cool. Then, make the Jello and put into a jar that is easy to pour from.
STEP 3: POKE AND POUR
Next, slice the strawberries for the top of the cake. Then, when the cake is cooled enough to touch comfortably-warm, but not hot, poke holes in the cake and pour in the Jello mixture.

STEP 4: TOP
Then, spread the strawberry dessert topping evenly over the cake. Top the cake with the cool whip and the sliced strawberries for that fresh strawberry flavor. For best results, place in the refrigerator for 3 hours so everything has a chance to set.
Prep and Storage Tips for Strawberry Poke Cake with Jello
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Make the cake a day or two in advance of time and keep in an airtight container.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
This jello strawberry cake recipe must be refrigerated due to the ingredients. This moist cake will be good for up to three days, although everyone will love it so much you might not even have any leftover cake.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
The best way to freeze it is to wrap cake with plastic wrap, then again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions for Strawberry Poke Cake Recipes
Really this recipe can be made a little healthier by using sugar free strawberry jello mix and fat free or sugar free cool whip. Also, a sugar free cake mix can be used for this crowd favorite recipe.
Of course, blueberry, raspberry or mixed berries can also make a Jello Poke cake.
Indeed it can be made into any way you like. Simply follow the package instructions and then follow the delicious cake recipe below.
The holes should be about 1/2 inch apart. It should go all the way through the cake to the bottom of the pan.

Expert Tips for Making This Jello Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe.
- Add Food Coloring: Make the whipped topping a pretty red color by adding food coloring.
- Make Icing: No cool whip, try using a light icing.
- Variation tip: Use vanilla pudding in place of the Jello for a more creamy flavor.
- Poke Holes: If you do not have a wooden spoon with a round handle use a straw.
Did you try this recipe?
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Jello Strawberry Cake
Equipment
- Measuring Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cake mix, prepared, yellow or white
- 1 jello mix, strawberry. prepared
- 10 ounces Cool Whip
- 1 pint strawberries, fresh
- Strawberry Dessert Topping
- 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix according to directions and pour into a 9×13 pan and bake.
- While cake is baking, prepare strawberry dessert topping. In a medium saucepan, add strawberries, sugar and lemon juice. Cook until thickened., about 6 minutes. It will take longer to thicken if using frozen fruit. Once the topping coats the back of a spoon, pour into a heat proof bowl and set aside.
- Once the cake is baked, remove from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Jello and put into a jar that is easy to pour from.
- Slice the strawberries for the top of the cake.
- Once the cake is cooled enough to touch comfortably-warm, but not hot, poke holes in the cake so the Jello has a place to go. I used the handle of a wooden spoon and poked in fairly even lines all the way up the cake. Once the holes are poked, you pour the prepared Jello over the cake evenly.
- Then, spread the strawberry dessert topping evenly over the cake.
- Top the cake with the cool whip and the sliced strawberries. Place in the refrigerator for 3 hours so everything has a chance to set.
Expert Tips
- Add Food Coloring: Make the whipped topping a pretty red color by adding food coloring.
- Make Icing: No cool whip, try using a light icing.
- Variation tip: Use vanilla pudding in place of the Jello for a more creamy flavor.
- Poke Holes: If you do not have a wooden spoon with a round handle use a straw.