Sweet & Sunny Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Recipe

Sweet memories dance through my strawberry shortcake poke cake, a delightful dessert that whispers summer nostalgia.

Childhood afternoons spent in grandma’s kitchen flood back with each creamy bite.

Layers of soft cake, punctuated with luscious strawberry filling, create a magical texture that melts on your tongue.

Bright red berries peek through silky cream, promising pure indulgence.

Condensed milk seeps into delicate cake pockets, amplifying every delectable mouthful.

Nothing beats this simple yet extraordinary treat that connects generations through shared sweetness.

What Makes Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Stand Out

• Effortless Elegance: Create a stunning dessert with minimal culinary skills, perfect for bakers of all levels who want to impress without complex techniques.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up a delightful treat that brings everyone together, combining classic cake with fresh strawberry goodness in one simple recipe.
• Versatile Celebration Dessert: Ideal for potlucks, birthdays, summer gatherings, or any special occasion where you want a show-stopping sweet that looks professionally made.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert in advance, allowing flavors to meld and saving precious time before serving, making party planning stress-free and enjoyable.

Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Ingredients

• White Cake Mix: A classic base for a light and fluffy cake.
• Eggs: Binds the cake mix together.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture to the cake.
• Water: Helps create the cake batter.

• Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix: Creates a creamy filling for the cake.
• Whole Milk: Provides richness to the pudding.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.

• Fresh Strawberries: Sweet and juicy fruit that adds natural flavor.
• Whipped Topping: Adds a light and creamy texture to the cake.

• Strawberry Slices: Fresh decoration for visual appeal.
• Cookie Crumbs: Adds a crunchy texture to the cake.

Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Instructions

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab a 9×13 inch pan and give it a light coating of grease so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Create The Cake Base

Whip up the cake mix following package instructions. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown, usually around 30-35 minutes. Let the cake cool completely.

Step 3: Perforate The Cake Surface

Take a wooden spoon handle and poke gentle holes across the entire cake, spacing them about an inch apart. This will help the delicious filling seep into every delightful bite.

Step 4: Prepare The Creamy Filling

• Pudding mix
• Milk

Whisk together for two minutes until the mixture becomes thick and luxurious. Stir in a splash of vanilla for extra flavor.

Step 5: Enhance The Filling

• Diced strawberries
• Whipped topping

Pour this dreamy mixture over the cake, making sure it fills all those little holes. Drizzle strawberry puree for an extra burst of fruity goodness.

Step 6: Add The Topping

Spread the remaining whipped topping across the entire cake surface. Decorate with fresh strawberry slices and sprinkle cookie crumbs for a delightful crunch.

Step 7: Chill And Enjoy

Refrigerate the cake for at least two hours, though overnight is even better. This allows all the flavors to mingle and create a truly magical dessert experience.

Poke Cake Tips That Make Strawberry Shortcake Extra Moist

• Gentle Hole Poking: Use a wooden spoon handle to create uniform holes across the cake, ensuring even distribution for maximum flavor absorption.
• Strategic Pudding Mixing: Whisk pudding mix thoroughly for exactly 2 minutes to achieve the perfect consistency that will seep smoothly into cake holes.
• Berry Preparation Hack: Dice strawberries into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent large fruit chunks from overwhelming the dessert.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and create a more cohesive, moist dessert.
• Garnish Like a Pro: Sprinkle cookie crumbs and fresh strawberry slices just before serving to maintain their texture and provide a delightful crunch.

Store Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Easily

• Seal cake in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Frozen cake maintains quality for up to 2 months.
• Thaw frozen cake in refrigerator overnight. For best texture, serve chilled or at room temperature. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy consistency.
• Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften whipped topping and enhance flavor profile.

Sides for Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake

Elevate Flavor Companions: Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Pairings

• Sip Sweet Contrast: Pair with chilled moscato wine to complement the cake's fruity sweetness and balance its richness with light, crisp notes.
• Cleanse Palate Perfectly: Serve alongside fresh mint tea, which cuts through the dessert's creaminess and provides a refreshing herbal undertone.
• Match Texture Harmony: Accompany with vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the cake's soft texture and amplify the strawberry's natural brightness.
• Elevate Dessert Experience: Garnish plate with candied lemon peel, adding a zesty citrus accent that lifts the entire dessert's flavor profile.

Strawberry Poke Cake Spins

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free white cake mix, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this sweet treat.
• Vegan Version: Swap traditional cake mix with a vegan cake mix, use coconut milk pudding, and top with dairy-free whipped cream alternative for a plant-based dessert.
• Low-Sugar Option: Utilize sugar-free cake mix, sugar-free pudding mix, and replace strawberry puree with a low-sugar strawberry sauce to reduce overall sugar content.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute milk with almond milk, use dairy-free whipped topping, and select a dairy-free cake mix to create an inclusive dessert for those avoiding dairy products.

FAQs

• Are strawberries essential for this cake?

Fresh strawberries are crucial for authentic flavor and texture, adding natural sweetness and moisture to the poke cake. Using ripe, in-season strawberries enhances the overall taste and visual appeal.

• Can I use a different cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute the cake mix. White or vanilla cake mixes work best, providing a neutral base that complements the strawberry flavor. Yellow cake mix is also a great alternative for this recipe.

• How do I know when the pudding is the right consistency?

The pudding should be thick and smooth, with no lumps. When whisked for 2 minutes, it will start to thicken and become creamy. It should coat the back of a spoon without being runny.

• What if I don't have a wooden spoon handle for poking holes?

You can use the back of a wooden spoon, a chopstick, or the handle of a spatula to create evenly spaced holes in the cake. The key is to poke holes about 1 inch apart to ensure even soaking.

Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its perfect blend of moist cake, sweet strawberry glaze, and creamy whipped topping. Southern charm meets classic comfort in this crowd-pleasing treat you’ll want to share with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 3-ounce (85 grams) instant cheesecake or vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 1 (8-ounce) 226 grams container whipped topping

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1¾ cups (414 milliliters) cold milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) strawberry puree (about 8 blended berries)

Additional Toppings:

• Fresh strawberry slices
• Crushed shortbread cookies (optional)
• Required cake mix ingredients (eggs/oil/water)
• 1 cup (236 milliliters) whipped topping (Cool Whip)

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Instructions

1. Prepare an oven-safe rectangular baking vessel by lightly coating with cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage.
2. Craft the cake base according to packaged instructions, maintaining precise mixing and blending techniques.
3. Transfer batter into prepared pan, smoothing surface evenly and maintaining consistent thickness.
4. Bake within preheated oven at recommended temperature until edges turn golden and center appears set.
5. Allow cake to cool completely, reaching ambient room temperature without residual warmth.
6. Create precise perforations across entire cake surface using wooden spoon handle, spacing punctures approximately one inch apart.
7. Whisk pudding mixture thoroughly, incorporating milk until achieving smooth, thick consistency.
8. Gently fold fresh strawberry pieces and creamy whipped topping into prepared pudding mixture.
9. Carefully distribute pudding blend over cake, ensuring thorough penetration into created holes.
10. Drizzle strawberry puree across surface for enhanced flavor complexity.
11. Cover cake with remaining whipped topping, spreading gently and uniformly.
12. Embellish with delicate strawberry slices and crumbled cookie fragments for visual appeal.
13. Refrigerate for minimum two hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set optimally.

Notes

• Customize cake mix by adding fresh strawberry extract for enhanced fruit flavor.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother cake batter and consistent texture.
• Select ripe, sweet strawberries for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant color in the dessert.
• Hole-poking technique works best with a wooden spoon handle or chopstick for uniform cake absorption.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 210mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 25mg