Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake
This recipe transforms a simple white cake into a delightful Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake. A moist cake is baked, then infused with sweet strawberry Jell-O, creating a vibrant, flavorful base. It's then crowned with a creamy topping and an irresistible strawberry-flavored crumble, offering a perfect balance of textures and a nostalgic taste.
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Pan
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Electric Mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer)
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Fork (for poking holes)
Ingredients
Main
- 1 15.25-oz. box white cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
- 1 3-oz. box strawberry Jell-O
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare a 9x13-inch baking pan according to white cake mix package directions.
- Prepare white cake batter as instructed on the box, then pour into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1-2 hours.
- Once cool, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes evenly across the entire surface of the cake, ensuring they go about halfway through.
- In a medium bowl, dissolve strawberry Jell-O mix in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water and stir.
- Carefully pour the dissolved Jell-O mixture evenly over the cooled, poked cake, ensuring it seeps into all the holes.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the Jell-O to set fully and moisten the cake.
- While the cake chills, prepare the strawberry crunch topping: crush Golden Oreos or Nilla Wafers, mix with melted butter and a tablespoon of dry strawberry Jell-O powder for flavor and color.
- Once the cake is chilled, spread a layer of whipped topping (like Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream) evenly over the top of the cake.
- Sprinkle the prepared strawberry crunch topping generously over the whipped layer before serving.
Notes
For a perfectly moist cake, avoid overmixing the batter; mix until just combined to ensure a tender crumb. Ensure the cake is completely cooled before poking holes and pouring the Jell-O to prevent it from dissolving the cake structure. Chill the cake for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, for the Jell-O to fully set and infuse the cake, yielding the best texture. To create the iconic "crunch" topping, a blend of crushed Golden Oreos or Nilla Wafers with melted butter and a small amount of dry strawberry Jell-O powder for flavor and color works wonders. Toasting this mixture lightly before sprinkling can enhance its texture.