This Strawberry Jello Poke Cake features a light and airy angel food cake, infused with strawberry gelatin, topped with a white chocolate pudding frosting, and finished with fresh berries. It’s a perfect dessert for summer parties, patriotic holidays, or any gathering where you want to impress with a delicious and visually stunning cake.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 (16 ounce) box angel food cake mix
- 1 (3 ounce) box strawberry Jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
For the frosting:
- 1 (3.3 ounce) box white chocolate instant pudding mix
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
For decoration:
- 1 pound strawberries
- 1 pint blueberries
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Do not grease a 9-inch by 13-inch pan.
- Prepare the angel food cake mix according to the package instructions (typically just adding water). Pour the batter into the ungreased pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until firm to the touch.
- Cool the cake completely for at least 1 hour. Once cooled, use a fork to poke holes in the cake about 1/2-inch apart.
- In a medium bowl, combine the strawberry Jello with boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add cold water, then drizzle the Jello mixture over the cake, ensuring it soaks into the holes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- For the frosting, combine the white chocolate pudding mix and milk in a large bowl or stand mixer, then gently fold in the thawed whipped topping.
- Spread the frosting over the cake. Decorate with strawberries and blueberries to resemble an American flag.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutrients (per serving)
- Calories: 168 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
- Sodium: 399mg
- Potassium: 146mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
- Vitamin A: 43 IU
- Vitamin C: 16mg
- Calcium: 57mg
- Iron: 1mg
Why Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is Ideal for Celebrations
One of the standout features of this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is its versatility for different types of celebrations. Its striking visual appeal, with the red and blue berries arranged on top to resemble the American flag, makes it an ideal choice for patriotic holidays like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. The vibrant colors also make it a great option for birthday parties, summer picnics, and any gathering where you want to showcase a visually stunning dessert.
The combination of refreshing strawberries and blueberries with the rich white chocolate pudding frosting creates a dessert that appeals to a wide range of tastes. The light, airy texture of the angel food cake contrasts perfectly with the creamy, indulgent frosting, making each bite a delightful experience. This cake is not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes, making it a perfect centerpiece for any celebration.
The Magic of Angel Food Cake
The base of this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is a light and fluffy angel food cake. Known for its airy texture, angel food cake is made primarily from egg whites, which gives it its characteristic lightness. The cake’s mild flavor provides the perfect backdrop for the fruity strawberry gelatin and the rich, creamy frosting. Unlike denser cakes, angel food cake doesn’t overwhelm the palate, allowing the strawberry flavor to shine through.
Another benefit of using angel food cake is its ability to absorb the strawberry Jello mixture. When holes are poked into the cooled cake, the Jello seeps into the cake, creating a deliciously moist and flavorful experience. The airy texture of the angel food cake allows it to hold the Jello mixture without becoming soggy, making it the perfect base for a poke cake.
Infusing the Cake with Strawberry Jello
The real magic of this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake comes from the strawberry gelatin. The gelatin is dissolved in boiling water, then mixed with cold water before being poured over the angel food cake. The vibrant pink gelatin mixture seeps into the cake through the holes, infusing the entire dessert with the sweet, fruity flavor of strawberries. This not only enhances the taste but also ensures that every bite of the cake is flavorful and moist.
The strawberry Jello adds a burst of color and flavor, making the cake even more visually appealing. The sweetness of the Jello complements the lightness of the angel food cake, creating a balanced dessert that isn’t overly sweet but still packs a flavorful punch. The Jello also helps to bind the layers together, creating a cohesive dessert that holds up well when sliced.
Creating the White Chocolate Pudding Frosting
The frosting on this cake is just as important as the cake itself. Made with white chocolate instant pudding mix, milk, and thawed whipped topping, this frosting is rich, creamy, and indulgent. The white chocolate flavor adds a subtle sweetness and depth that pairs beautifully with the strawberry-infused cake. The whipped topping gives the frosting a light, airy texture that contrasts nicely with the moistness of the cake.
What makes this frosting unique is its ability to spread smoothly over the cake, creating a thick, creamy layer that enhances both the flavor and the visual appeal of the dessert. The combination of the white chocolate and whipped topping creates a frosting that isn’t too heavy, but still adds a luxurious touch to the cake. The frosting is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for those who want to prepare the cake in advance.
Decorating the Cake: A Festive and Fresh Touch
The final step in creating the Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is decorating it with fresh berries. The classic decoration features sliced strawberries and blueberries arranged on top to resemble the American flag, making it a perfect dessert for patriotic holidays. The fresh berries not only add a pop of color but also bring a fresh, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the cake and frosting.
The berries can be arranged in any pattern you choose, but the American flag motif is a favorite for many, especially during summer holidays. The combination of the red strawberries and blue blueberries against the creamy white frosting creates a visually striking dessert that is sure to impress your guests. Additionally, the fresh fruit adds a healthy touch to the cake, providing a natural sweetness that complements the other flavors.
Making Strawberry Jello Poke Cake Ahead of Time
One of the reasons this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is so convenient is that it can be made ahead of time. After the cake is baked and cooled, the Jello mixture is poured over it, and the cake is left to chill in the refrigerator for at least three hours, or overnight. This chilling time allows the Jello to fully set into the cake, ensuring that each bite is flavorful and moist.
The frosting can also be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve the cake. Once the frosting is spread on the cake, it can be refrigerated until you are ready to decorate with the fresh berries. This makes it an ideal dessert for busy hosts, as it can be made the day before the event, leaving you with more time to focus on other aspects of the gathering.
Why Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is a Crowd-Pleaser
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is the perfect dessert to serve at any event because it appeals to so many different tastes. The light, fluffy cake is a hit with those who prefer a less dense dessert, while the strawberry Jello and white chocolate frosting provide plenty of flavor to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. The fresh berries not only add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the frosting but also give the cake a fresh, fruity flavor that makes it ideal for warm-weather events.
Additionally, the visually striking appearance of the cake makes it a great conversation piece. The bold colors of the Jello and fresh berries catch the eye and make the cake an instant focal point at any gathering. Whether you’re serving it at a summer barbecue or a patriotic holiday celebration, this cake is sure to be a hit.
Conclusion: A Delicious and Memorable Dessert
In conclusion, Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is a fun, flavorful, and visually stunning dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Its light, airy texture, combined with the vibrant strawberry flavor and rich white chocolate frosting, makes it a dessert that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a party, or simply looking for a refreshing summer treat, this cake is sure to impress your guests. Its ease of preparation, ability to be made ahead of time, and the option to customize the decoration make it a go-to dessert for any gathering. So, next time you want to impress with a delicious and visually stunning cake, give this Strawberry Jello Poke Cake a try—it’s a dessert that’s sure to be remembered.