Name: Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Box white cake mix (15 ¼-Ounce, plus ingredients on box: water, oil, and eggs); 1 Cup boiling water; 1 Box strawberry gelatin (3-Ounce); 1 Cup sweetened condensed milk; 8 Ounces cream cheese (at room temperature); 1 ½ Cups heavy cream (very cold); ¾ Cup powdered sugar; 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 Cups strawberries (fresh, sliced); Whipped cream (for garnish); Strawberries (fresh, for garnish)

If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s bursting with fresh flavor and a little bit of fun, you’re going to want to try this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out—moist cake, tangy strawberry gelatin, and a luscious cream cheese whipped topping all come together for a fan-freaking-tastic treat. Whether it’s for a family gathering, a potluck, or just a sweet weekend indulgence, this poke cake never disappoints and is much easier than it looks!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and Quick: Uses a boxed cake mix with a few fresh ingredients for a dessert that’s impressive but easy.
Bright & Fruity Flavor: The fresh strawberries paired with strawberry gelatin add natural sweetness and zing.
Perfect Texture: The “poke” holes let the gelatin seep in, making every bite moist and flavorful.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this cake, and it’s always the first to disappear at parties.

A square piece of layered dessert is shown on a spatula with a light blue handle, lifted from a white baking dish with black edges. The dessert has three layers: the bottom layer is light pink and moist, the middle layer is thick white cream, and the top layer is decorated with fresh red strawberry slices evenly placed. Whole strawberries are placed beside the baking dish on a white marbled surface, and the background also features strawberry slices scattered in the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work like a charm together to create a cake that’s both fluffy and bursting with fresh strawberry goodness. When shopping, grab ripe red strawberries and a good quality cream cheese for the best results.

White cake mix: For convenience, boxed works great—and I always trust it because it bakes up light and fluffy.
Strawberry gelatin: This is the magic that gets poured into the poke holes, soaking into the cake for extra flavor.
Boiling water: Helps dissolve the gelatin perfectly, so it can seep through the cake.
Sweetened condensed milk: Adds creamy sweetness that balances the tartness of the strawberries.
Cream cheese: At room temperature, it blends smoothly for the frosting, giving great richness.
Heavy cream: Very cold is key for whipping it into fluffy, stable peaks for the frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without any gritty texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the cake and frosting with warm, comforting notes.
Fresh strawberries (sliced): Brings vibrant color, fresh flavor, and a bit of natural sweetness for garnish and mixing.
Whipped cream: Optional for an extra dollop of luxury topping.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best parts about this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe is how flexible it is! I love mixing things up depending on the occasion or what’s in season in my fridge. You can easily personalize it to fit your tastes or dietary needs.

Use other berries: I once swapped strawberries for a mix of raspberries and blueberries, and it gave the cake a lovely twist of flavor.
Gluten-free option: Try a gluten-free white cake mix to make this recipe friendly for gluten-sensitive friends without sacrificing flavor.
Vegan adaptation: Use a plant-based cake mix and substitute condensed coconut milk and vegan cream cheese for an animal-free treat.
Chocolate strawberry version: Add a layer of chocolate ganache before poking the cake for a decadent surprise that your chocolate lovers will adore.

How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Cake to Fluffy Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking pan by greasing and flouring it. Follow the box instructions on your white cake mix to whip up the batter. Pour it into your pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. The key here is not to overbake—your poke cake needs a moist, tender crumb to soak up all that strawberry gelatin goodness later on.

Step 2: Poke and Pour Strawberry Gelatin

Once your cake has cooled but is still slightly warm (this part is crucial so the gelatin seeps in well), it’s time to poke! Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a similar object to poke holes all over the surface about an inch apart—don’t be shy with this. Next, dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Pour the gelatin mixture evenly over the poke holes and let it sink in. This is where your cake gets that incredible juicy texture and strawberry flavor that makes it special.

Step 3: Spread the Sweetened Condensed Milk

After the gelatin layer settles, drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly on top. It’s a little extra indulgence that makes the cake creamy and rich—trust me, it’s worth every calorie. Then place the cake in the fridge for about an hour to let everything chill and meld together.

Step 4: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake chills, it’s frosting time! Beat your room temperature cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. In a separate chilled bowl, whip your cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese until just combined—this keeps the frosting light and fluffy but still creamy. Spread it evenly over the cooled cake, then decorate with those fresh strawberry slices.

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Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe

Don’t Skip Cooling Time: Make sure the cake is warm—not hot—when you poke it to ensure the gelatin soaks in without melting the cake texture.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: For perfectly smooth frosting, I’ve learned that soft cream cheese blends easiest without lumps or graininess.
Fold, Don’t Overmix: When adding whipped cream to cream cheese, folding gently keeps the frosting light and airy.
Fresh Strawberries Matter: Pick ripe, sweet strawberries—low quality or green berries can make the whole cake taste bland or too tart.

How to Serve Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe

The image shows a square slice of pink and white sponge cake with a soft texture, placed on a white plate. The cake has two layers: the lower part is pink with some white spots, and the top layer is a smooth white cream. On top of the cream are thin slices of red strawberries arranged flat, with a dollop of white whipped cream sitting in the middle. A half strawberry with a green stem is placed upright on the whipped cream. There are whole strawberries visible around the plate, and a white marbled surface in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to finish mine off with extra dollops of whipped cream and a handful of sliced strawberries on top for a fresh, inviting look. Sometimes I add a few mint leaves if I’m feeling fancy—this adds a pop of color and a refreshing herby note that pairs beautifully with the sweetness.

Side Dishes

Since this cake is quite rich, I usually serve it alongside light, fresh options like a simple citrus salad or a glass of iced herbal tea to balance the sweetness. It’s the perfect combo on a warm day!

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or birthdays, I’ve tried layering this cake in a trifle dish alternated with gelatin-soaked cake pieces and fresh berries—it’s a showstopper. Another idea is to make mini individual poke cakes in ramekins for cute, personal servings. People love the personal touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover poke cake keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days if covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. I always recommend keeping it chilled because the cream cheese frosting and fresh fruit taste best cold. My family loves it even more the next day when the flavors have melded further.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cake a couple of times by wrapping it tightly with foil and placing it in a freezer-safe container. It’s best to thaw it overnight in the fridge, though I do notice the fresh fruit becomes softer, so I usually freeze un-topped cake layers and add fresh strawberries and cream after thawing.

Reheating

This is one dessert I prefer cold! If you want to warm it slightly, just take it out of the fridge 10 minutes ahead to remove the chill—reheating isn’t necessary and can affect the texture of the frosting and fruit.

FAQs

Can I make this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe without gelatin?

While the gelatin is key to creating that signature poke cake texture, if you prefer not to use gelatin, you could try a fruit jelly or a thickened fruit syrup, but the soaking effect won’t be quite the same. The cake might end up less moist and less structured.
How do I pick the best strawberries for this cake?

Look for bright red strawberries that are firm to the touch and free of bruises or dark spots. Freshness really makes a flavor difference here, especially since the strawberries get to shine on top and inside the cake’s frosting layer.
Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed mix?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite white cake recipe, it’ll work fine. Just make sure it’s a light, tender cake that’s not too dense or dry, as that will affect how well the gelatin soaks in.
Is this cake suitable for kids?

Yes! Kids usually love the sweet strawberry flavor and the creamy frosting. Just keep in mind it has gelatin, so make sure that aligns with any dietary restrictions or preferences.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Fruits Recipe has earned a permanent spot in my dessert rotation. I love how approachable it is, especially when I don’t have a ton of time but still want to wow my guests or treat my family to something special. The fresh strawberries give it a genuine homemade feel, while the poke cake technique adds a fun twist that makes every bite moist and flavorful. Give this one a try—you’ll enjoy the process as much as the delicious results. Trust me, once you make it, it’ll be your go-to cake for summers, celebrations, and any day that deserves a little extra sweetness!