Description
This Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake is a delightful twist on the classic dessert, featuring a moist white cake infused with strawberry gelatin. Topped with whipped cream, fresh diced strawberries, and buttery cookie crumbs, it combines the best flavors and textures of traditional strawberry shortcake in an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing poke cake perfect for summer or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix (plus ingredients called for on box – typically egg whites, oil, and water)
Gelatin Mixture
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
Toppings
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 cup crushed golden sandwich cookies (like Golden Oreos or vanilla wafers)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare and Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven according to the cake mix package instructions. Prepare the white cake mix by combining it with the required egg whites, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, around the suggested baking time on the package.
- Cool and Poke Holes: Allow the baked cake to cool for about 15–20 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or a skewer, poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow the gelatin mixture to soak in evenly.
- Prepare the Gelatin: In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry gelatin powder and 1 cup boiling water until fully dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water to cool slightly.
- Pour Gelatin Over Cake: Carefully pour the strawberry gelatin mixture evenly over the entire cake, ensuring it seeps into all the holes, which helps infuse the flavor throughout the cake.
- Refrigerate to Set: Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours to allow the gelatin to set and fully absorb into the cake.
- Prepare Cookie Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed golden sandwich cookies with melted butter to create a buttery crumb topping.
- Add Whipped Topping and Garnish: After the cake is chilled, spread the whipped topping evenly over the cake surface. Then sprinkle the diced fresh strawberries and the buttery cookie crumbs on top for added texture and flavor.
- Serve and Store: Keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain freshness and optimal texture.
Notes
- For extra strawberry flavor, layer thinly sliced strawberries between the cake and whipped topping.
- You can swap the white cake mix for yellow or even strawberry cake mix for a variation.
- The cookie topping adds shortcake-like crunch and can be replaced with crushed pound cake or biscuit crumbles for different textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
