Easy Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake Recipe for Sweet Delight

Strawberry crunch poke cake redefines ordinary dessert into a delightful culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds.

Sweet, juicy strawberries mingle with crunchy textures, creating a symphony of flavors and sensations.

Layers of tender cake become a canvas for vibrant, fruity indulgence.

Creamy filling seeps into carefully crafted holes, ensuring each bite bursts with incredible moisture and depth.

The delicate balance between soft cake and crisp toppings makes this dessert a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

Delightful contrasts of smooth and crunchy elements elevate this treat beyond traditional cake expectations.

Summer gatherings or intimate family dinners deserve this spectacular dessert that promises pure deliciousness.

Why Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake Is a Nostalgic Treat with a Twist

• Bursting with Fruity Flavor: Dive into a delightful strawberry explosion that tantalizes your taste buds with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes from the strawberry gelatin and fresh strawberries.
• Irresistible Textural Delight: Experience a mouthwatering combination of soft, moist cake, creamy frosting, and crunchy cookie topping that creates an exciting sensory experience in every single bite.
• Super Simple Preparation: Enjoy a show-stopping dessert that looks complicated but comes together easily with basic ingredients and straightforward steps, making it ideal for both novice and experienced bakers looking to impress without stress.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Magic: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations, this cake offers a crowd-pleasing treat that will have everyone asking for seconds and requesting the recipe.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides the cake's structure and tender texture, choose a reliable brand for consistent results.
• Eggs, Oil, Water: Standard box mix ingredients that add moisture, richness, and help bind the cake together.
• Strawberry Gelatin: Adds vibrant strawberry flavor and creates a moist, colorful cake when poked and filled.

• Boiling Water, Cold Water: Used to dissolve and activate the gelatin, creating a luscious, flavor-infused cake interior.

• Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, rich base for the frosting with a creamy texture, best when softened at room temperature.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds lightness and volume to the frosting, creating a fluffy and smooth consistency.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting, ensuring a smooth and spreadable texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic sweetness.

• Golden Oreos, Unsalted Butter: Create a crunchy, sweet crumb topping with a buttery, golden flavor.
• Strawberry Gelatin Powder: Adds a burst of strawberry flavor and vibrant color to the crunch topping.
• Fresh Strawberries: Optional garnish that provides a fresh, bright finish to the cake.

How to Assemble and Chill a Crunchy Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a quick spray with cooking oil. Mix the white cake mix following the package directions. Pour the fluffy batter into the pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean (around 22-25 minutes). Let the cake cool completely. Once cooled, transform the cake surface with playful fork pokes all over.

Step 2: Infuse with Strawberry Flavor

• Strawberry gelatin packet
• Boiling water
• Cold water

Whisk the gelatin with boiling water until it dissolves completely. Add cold water and mix well. Carefully drench the cake with the vibrant liquid, ensuring it seeps into every poke hole. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Create Dreamy Cream Topping

• Softened cream cheese
• Heavy cream
• Confectioners' sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat the cream cheese until silky smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the cream cheese into the whipped cream for a cloud-like frosting. Spread evenly over the chilled cake.

Step 4: Craft the Crunchy Strawberry Topping

• Golden Oreo cookies
• Melted butter
• Dry strawberry gelatin powder

Crush the Oreos into coarse pieces. Mix with melted butter and dry gelatin powder until every cookie bit is perfectly coated. Sprinkle this crunchy mixture over the frosted cake, pressing gently to create a delightful texture. Add fresh strawberry slices for an extra pop of color.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Slice into this decadent dessert immediately or let it chill for enhanced flavors. Keep any leftover cake covered in the refrigerator.

Tips for That Signature Strawberry Crunch Topping

• Crumb Consistency Control: Crush Golden Oreos carefully to maintain a balanced texture, ensuring some chunks remain for that satisfying crunch.
• Gelatin Penetration Technique: Poke holes generously and slowly pour gelatin to guarantee maximum flavor absorption throughout the cake.
• Smooth Frosting Strategy: Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature for easier blending and a silky-smooth whipped topping.
• Chilling Perfection: Refrigerate cake for at least 4 hours to allow gelatin to set completely and flavors to develop fully.
• Fresh Garnish Hack: Add fresh strawberry slices just before serving to prevent moisture from making the crunch topping soggy.

How to Store and Serve Poke Cake Chilled

• Refrigerate: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping it covered with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake will maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power to preserve the cake's moisture and texture. Avoid overheating, which can make the cake tough or dry.

Great Pairings for This Strawberry Dessert

• Brew Sweet Strawberry Bliss: Pair this vibrant cake with a chilled strawberry iced tea or a light, fruity rosé wine to complement the dessert's sweet strawberry notes.
• Match Creamy Textures: Select a smooth, vanilla-based cream liqueur or a delicate cappuccino that echoes the cake's rich, creamy frosting and provides a luxurious contrast.
• Crunch with Contrast: Serve alongside a sparkling prosecco or a crisp white wine to cut through the cake's sweetness and highlight the crunchy Oreo topping, creating a balanced flavor experience.
• Refresh with Fruity Finish: Enjoy a small scoop of lemon sorbet or a light strawberry smoothie to cleanse the palate and enhance the dessert's fruity undertones.

Fun Flavor Variations for Poke Cake Lovers

• Berry Blast Bonanza: Swap strawberry gelatin with mixed berry gelatin and use crushed graham crackers instead of Oreos for a vibrant, fruity alternative.
• Chocolate Strawberry Dream: Replace white cake mix with chocolate cake mix, keep strawberry gelatin, and use chocolate cookie crumbs for a rich, decadent version.
• Tropical Paradise Punch: Use coconut cake mix, pineapple gelatin, and add toasted coconut flakes to the crunch topping for a refreshing island-inspired dessert.
• Lemony Strawberry Splash: Incorporate lemon zest into the cake batter, use lemon gelatin alongside strawberry, and sprinkle crushed shortbread cookies on top for a citrusy twist.

Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Succulent strawberry crunch poke cake delivers pure summer bliss with layers of moist vanilla cake, sweet strawberry filling, and crispy streusel topping. Creamy whipped cream crowns this irresistible dessert that will become your instant favorite at family gatherings and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) white cake mix
• 1 box (3 ounces / 85 grams) strawberry gelatin
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup cold water

Additional Cake Mix Ingredients:

• Eggs (as specified on cake mix box)
• Oil (as specified on cake mix box)
• Water (as specified on cake mix box)

Frosting and Topping Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 18–20 Golden Oreos, coarsely crushed
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 box (3 ounces / 85 grams) strawberry gelatin powder
• Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cake base by combining the white cake mix according to package guidelines. Transfer the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and bake until a toothpick emerges clean, approximately 22-25 minutes.
2. Allow the cake to cool completely, then methodically puncture the entire surface with a fork, creating numerous small openings for gelatin absorption.
3. Dissolve strawberry gelatin powder in boiling water, stirring until completely integrated. Incorporate cold water and mix thoroughly.
4. Gently cascade the liquid gelatin across the cake’s surface, ensuring the mixture penetrates every punctured hole. Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing the gelatin to set and infuse flavors.
5. Whip cream cheese until smooth and fluffy using a mixer. In a separate bowl, whisk heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
6. Delicately fold the cream cheese into the whipped cream, creating a luxurious, uniform frosting. Spread this creamy layer evenly across the chilled cake.
7. Crush Golden Oreo cookies coarsely and combine with melted butter and dry strawberry gelatin powder. Mix until the cookie crumbs are thoroughly coated.
8. Distribute the strawberry crunch mixture over the frosted cake, gently pressing to secure the topping. Optional: Embellish with fresh strawberries for added visual appeal.
9. Serve immediately or refrigerate to enhance flavor integration. Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator, understanding the topping may soften slightly over time.

Notes

• Gelatin magic seeps through every poke, infusing the cake with intense strawberry flavor and keeping each slice ultra-moist.
• Crunch lovers will devour the Golden Oreo topping, which adds irresistible texture and a hint of sweet, buttery goodness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg