Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe for Every Occasion

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This Strawberry Poke Cake is a light and fruity dessert that starts with a Boxed Cake Mix, Frozen Strawberries, and a Homemade Creamy Frosting. Easy, refreshing, and perfect for parties, potlucks, and holidays!

A slice of Strawberry Poke Cake with white frosting and fresh strawberry slices sits on a white plate. More cake, strawberries, a floral napkin, and two forks are nearby on a marble surface.

Why You’ll Love this Strawberry Poke Cake!

A woman with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a burgundy top, smiles at the camera in front of a textured, beige background.

This Strawberry Poke Cake is one of those Homemade Desserts that always reminds me of potlucks, family gatherings, and the holidays.

It’s simple, sweet, and has that fun “poke” effect where the strawberries soaks into the cake, making every slice vibrant and full of flavor. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast, especially when topped with fluffy frosting and fresh strawberries!

If you are looking for a fruity and refreshing dessert this is the one to make! With its bright color, light texture, and sweet strawberry flavor in every bite, this cake is guaranteed to be a hit wherever you serve it! You may even like these recipes – Chocolate Poke Cake and Jello Poke Cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake

A bowl of sliced strawberries, oil, eggs, water, and a bag of pink cake mix are arranged on a hexagon-tiled surface—everything you need to make a delicious Strawberry Poke Cake.

Strawberry Cake Mix – Moist white cake mix is a delicious variation
Frozen Strawberries – Thawed and then blended

For the Topping

A bowl of whipped cream, a small pitcher of milk, a brown paper packet, and a basket of fresh strawberries arranged on a white hexagonal tile surface—perfect for making a delicious Strawberry Poke Cake.

Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix – Feel free to change the flavor – Cheesecake is a great variation
Milk – We used whole milk
Whipped Topping – For a creamy topping
Fresh Strawberries – Delicious topping

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake

A greased rectangular baking dish sits on a white hexagon-tiled surface, ready to become a delicious Strawberry Poke Cake, surrounded by three eggs, a bag of flour, brown paper, a bottle of oil, and a pink floral cloth.

Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

A baked Strawberry Poke Cake in a rectangular cream-colored dish sits on a patterned surface, surrounded by fresh strawberries, a bowl of sliced strawberries, a bowl of sugar, and a pink strawberry-patterned cloth.

Step 2 – Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, then bake and allow to cool completely.

A rectangular Strawberry Poke Cake in a baking dish with evenly spaced holes on top, surrounded by a wooden spoon, a floral cloth, and bowls of strawberries and sugar on a white hexagon-tiled surface.

Step 3 – Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake.

A rectangular baking dish filled with Strawberry Poke Cake topped with a glossy red sauce. Surrounding the dish are a bowl of whipped cream, a brown packet, and a glass of milk on a white, hexagon-tiled surface.

Step 4 – Puree the thawed strawberries in a blender, then spoon the mixture evenly over the cake, letting it soak into the holes.

A bowl with whipped topping and yellow pudding mixture sits on a white counter near a carton of strawberries and a baking dish with Strawberry Poke Cake, alongside a pink floral cloth and a white spatula.

Step 5 – In a medium bowl, prepare the pudding mix with 1 cup of milk. Fold in the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy.

A rectangular baking dish filled with creamy Strawberry Poke Cake topped with rows of sliced strawberries, placed on a hexagonal-tiled surface next to a small container of whole strawberries and a pink patterned cloth.

Step 6 – Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the cooled cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries.

Step 7 – Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Slice, serve and enjoy!

A baking dish filled with creamy Strawberry Poke Cake topped with rows of halved strawberries, surrounded by fresh strawberries, a floral napkin, a spatula, and a plate with forks on a white geometric countertop.

Review Pin Print

Strawberry Poke Cake

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Refrigerate 4

Total Time 4 55

Servings 12

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Calories 246

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

For the Cake:

▢ 1 box Strawberry Cake Mix plus ingredients on package to prepare
▢ 10 ounces Frozen Strawberries thawed

For the Topping:

▢ 1 box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix 3.4 ounces
▢ 1 cup Milk
▢ 3 cups Whipped Topping
▢ Fresh Strawberries for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, then bake and allow to cool completely.
Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake.
Puree the thawed strawberries in a blender, then spoon the mixture evenly over the cake, letting it soak into the holes.
In a medium bowl, prepare the pudding mix with 1 cup of milk. Fold in the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy.
Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the cooled cake.
Garnish with fresh strawberries.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Slice, serve and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

When poking the holes in the cake, make sure that they are not too close together and do not go all the way to the bottom of the pan to prevent the cake from getting soggy.

When storing leftovers, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 246kcal, Carbohydrates 41g, Protein 4g, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 3mg, Sodium 369mg, Potassium 206mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 27g, Vitamin A 51IU, Vitamin C 14mg, Calcium 97mg, Iron 2mg

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Recipe Tips

Poking Holes – When poking the holes in the cake, make sure that they are not too close together and do not go all the way to the bottom of the pan to prevent the cake from getting soggy.
Prepare Baking Pan – Make sure to prepare baking dish with cooking spray for easy cleanup and to serve cake.
Chilling Cake – Don’t skip the chill time after the cake has been prepared. This allows for the strawberry mixture to really soak into the cake.

Variations Ideas

Strawberries and Cream – Add cream cheese to the Cool Whip for a creamy topping.
Strawberry Lemonade Cake – Use lemon cake mix and strawberry gelatin for the perfect cake to take to potlucks.
Chocolate Strawberry Cake – Use chocolate cake mix for a chocolate-covered strawberry vibe.

A slice of Strawberry Poke Cake with white frosting and fresh strawberry slices on top, served on a white plate. Whole strawberries and another slice of cake are nearby, with a pink floral cloth and silver forks beside them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make with Homemade Cake?

Yes! This Strawberry Poke Cake has great flavor made with a Homemade Cake Recipe. You may like to use this Best Vanilla Cake Recipe.

Can I Make Poke Cake Ahead of Time

Yes! We think it taste best to chill the cake overnight.

How to Store Leftovers

When storing leftovers, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze Strawberry Poke Cake?

Yes! Bake the cake in a disposable freezer pan with the poke holes and strawberry poured over the top. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw the cake and top with frosting and fresh strawberries.