Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 box vanilla or white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: eggs, oil, water)
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cold water
- For the Topping:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups crushed Golden Oreos
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 4 tbsp melted butter
For Garnish (optional):
- Fresh strawberries
- Additional whipped cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the cake from sticking. Follow the cake mix package instructions, which typically call for mixing the eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.Once baked, allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Now, here’s where the magic begins—grab the end of a wooden spoon and poke holes all over the cake, making sure they are about 1 inch apart.
- Make the Jell-O Mixture: While the cake cools, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well until it’s fully dissolved. Next, add 1 cup of cold water and stir to combine. Pour the strawberry Jell-O mixture evenly over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes you created. This step will give the cake a delightful fruity flavor! Pop the cake in the fridge for about 2 hours to let the gelatin set.
- Prepare the Creamy Topping: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well incorporated. Gently fold in the whipped topping (Cool Whip), ensuring the mixture remains light and fluffy. Spread this creamy topping evenly over the chilled and set cake.
- Create the Strawberry Crunch Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Golden Oreos, freeze-dried strawberries, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This topping adds a delightful crunch and burst of strawberry flavor! Sprinkle the strawberry crunch topping generously over the frosted cake, covering it completely.
- Garnish and Serve: If you want to take the presentation up a notch, garnish with fresh strawberries and extra whipped cream. Slice the cake and serve it chilled for the best taste and texture. Every bite will be a combination of moist cake, fruity filling, creamy topping, and crunchy goodness.
Notes
- Customize the Crunch: If you can’t find Golden Oreos, you can substitute them with graham crackers or vanilla wafers for a slightly different crunch.
- Chilling is Key: Make sure to refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours. This allows the strawberry gelatin to set, ensuring that the cake is flavorful and moist.
- Make Ahead: This cake is perfect for making ahead of time! It can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it ideal for events where you want to prep desserts in advance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of the cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Strawberry poke cake, Crunchy strawberry dessert, Jell-O poke cake ,Strawberry Oreo cake