Light Strawberry Poke Cake with Jell-O Recipe

Name: Light Strawberry Poke Cake with Jell-O Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 38 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Box of Yellow Cake Mix (15.25 Ounces); 1 Box of Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O (.06 Ounces); 1 Container of Reduced Fat Cool Whip

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Welcome to my kitchen! Today, I’m thrilled to share an Easy & Light Strawberry Poke cake recipe that will quickly become a staple at your family gatherings.

This delicious cake, bursting with strawberry flavor, is the perfect summer dessert to enjoy with your loved ones.

Strawberry Poke Cake

Made with simple ingredients and a touch of creativity, this easy dessert recipe combines the irresistible charm of homemade cake with the refreshing taste of strawberry goodness.

The secret to its delightful texture and flavor? A generous infusion of Jell-O, transforming it into a classic jello cake that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

Join me as we dive into the world of delicious desserts with this easy strawberry cake, a treat that promises to bring a smile to every face and become a favorite at your next summer celebration.

Here are some more Weight Watcher friendly side dishes and desserts you may like Air Fryer Polenta, Easy Naan Bread , Air Fryer Avocado Fries, 3 Ingredient Cinnamon Muffins and my favorite Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.

A bite of Strawberry poke cake on a fork

Why make this recipe?

You don't want to miss out on this super fun and delicious strawberry jello poke cake recipe!!

Weight Watcher Friendly - This strawberry poke cake with Jell-O is 10 WW points if you divide you cake into 10 slices and do not alter the cake box ingredients.

If you swap the oil and eggs for unsweetened applesauce and egg whites you reduce it to 5 points a slice.

Since the new Weight Watchers plan is personalized you will have to input the ingredients used to get your exact points.

Easy to Make - These homemade Strawberry Poke Cake requires only a handful of ingredients and 23-28 minutes of bake time.

Kid Friendly - Involving your kids in the dessert making process can be a wonderful bonding experience. Making homemade Poke Cake is a fun and interactive activity that allows your kids to participate.

They can help wash and slice the strawberries, poke holes in the cake, and spread the Cool Whip. It promotes teamwork, creativity, and enhances their culinary skills.

Ingredients Needed and Substitutions:

A container of Cool Whip, a Box of Duncan Hines yellow cake and a box of zero sugar strawberry Jell-O on a table

1 Box of Store Bought Cake Mix - We used Duncan Hines Yellow Cake mix for this Poke Cake Recipe. We did alter the instructions on the box cake mix to swap vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce to lower the fat and calories. You can use a white boxed cake mix, angel food cake mix or even a strawberry cake mix.

1 Box of Jell-o Mix - Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O was used for this recipe as it is zero points on WW. If I was bringing this cake to a family BBQ I would just use a box of regular Jell-o as not everyone likes sugar free. You can use any flavor but the theme for this poke cake was strawberries.

1 Container of Cool Whip - I used reduced fat Cool Whip which is 1 WW Point. You can use Fat Free Cool Whip or even Regular Cool Whip depending on what your dietary preferences are.

How to Make Strawberry Poke Cake

1: Prepare Cake - Follow your Box Mix directions but if you are using the Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix you will preheat your oven to 350 Degrees F - Spray a 9x13 baking dish with PAM cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Blend cake mix with 3 eggs and ¾ Cup of Unsweetened Applesauce - Blend until smooth about 3 minutes.
Pour batter into pan and bake 23-28 minutes. Let cool.

2: Make Jell-O - If you use the Family Size Zero Sugar Jell-O you need to boil 2 cups of water, add Jell-O mix stir until dissolved than add 2 cups of cold water.

a wooden spoon mixing a pot full of strawberry Jell-O

3: Poke Holes in Cake - Poke holes in your cooled cake with the handle of a wooden spoon about one inch apart. You could also use a straw or poke holes with the tines of a fork.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in a cake

Pour the liquid Jell-O over the cake and into the holes. Place in refrigerator for 3 hours.

Pouring strawberry Jell-O onto a yellow cake with holes in it

4: Top the cake with Cool Whip and Fresh sliced strawberries. Slice and Serve!! So Yummy!!

A spatula lifting a slice of strawberry poke cake

Watch the How to Make Jell-O Poke Cake Video Here

Recipe FAQ's

What is the best way to poke holes in a cake?

Wooden Spoon Handle: Use the handle of a wooden spoon to create evenly spaced, medium-sized holes. This method is popular for its ease and consistency.
Straw: A wide straw, such as those used for bubble tea, can create smaller holes, perfect for thinner fillings like syrups or condensed milk.
Skewer or Fork: For smaller, more numerous holes, a skewer or a fork works well. This is ideal for lighter fillings like gelatin or pudding.
Chopsticks: Chopsticks can create holes slightly larger than a fork but smaller than a spoon handle, offering a middle ground.
Toothpick: Use a toothpick for very fine holes if you want a more subtle infusion of flavor throughout the cake.

Do you let a cake cool before poking holes in it ?

Cool Slightly: Let the cake rest for about 5-10 minutes after you take it out of the oven. This cooling period helps the cake firm up slightly, making it easier to handle without falling apart.
Poke the Holes: Using your chosen tool (wooden spoon handle, straw, skewer, etc.), poke holes all over the cake. Space the holes about 1-2 inches apart.

Can you take a poke cake out of the pan?

Yes, you can take a poke cake out of the pan, but it requires some careful handling to maintain the cake’s structure and prevent the filling from leaking out.
Use a Springform Pan: A springform pan makes it easier to remove the cake without inverting it. Simply release the sides of the pan and lift it away.

Expert Tips and Recipe Variations

Use Fresh Strawberries: Opt for ripe, fresh strawberries to ensure the best flavor and texture in your poke cake.
Prep the Strawberries: Hull and slice the strawberries thinly for an even distribution of flavor.
Sweeten the Strawberries: Toss the sliced strawberries with a bit of sugar and lemon juice to enhance their natural sweetness.
Bake a Soft Cake: Use a cake recipe that yields a moist and soft cake base, such as a classic vanilla, yellow or a light sponge cake.
Cool Slightly: Let the cake cool for 5-10 minutes before poking holes to maintain its structure and prevent crumbling.
Poke Even Holes: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a wide straw to poke evenly spaced holes across the cake.
Vanilla Pudding Filling: Prepare vanilla pudding with a touch of vanilla extract for a rich, creamy filling that pairs perfectly with strawberries.
Add Fresh Strawberries to Filling: Mix diced fresh strawberries into the pudding before pouring it over the cake for added texture and flavor.
Cover with Plastic Wrap: If you are trying a pudding mixture place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming as it cools in the refrigerator.
Cream Cheese Layer: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese over the pudding for an extra creamy and tangy element.
Whipped Topping: Use a generous layer of whipped topping (store-bought or homemade with heavy whipping cream) to cover the cake.
Chill Completely: Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set properly.
Homemade Frosting Option: For a more decadent touch, make a homemade frosting using heavy whipping cream and cream cheese, whipped until fluffy.
Decorate with Fresh Fruit: Garnish the top with more fresh strawberries and other fresh fruit like blueberries or raspberries for a colorful presentation.
Airtight Container Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep it fresh and moist.
Balance Flavors with Lemon Juice: Add a splash of lemon juice to the whipped topping or frosting for a refreshing zing.
- Experiment with Flavors: Try variations like a Baileys poke cake or an Oreo poke cake for different flavor profiles.
- Incorporate Banana Pudding: Substitute the vanilla pudding with banana pudding for a delightful twist reminiscent of banana pudding poke cake.
- Serve Chilled: Poke cakes taste best when served chilled, so keep the cake refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Avoid Overloading: When adding fresh strawberries or other fillings, avoid overloading the cake to prevent it from becoming soggy.

Are you a Weight Watcher?

If you follow my Blog you probably already know I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and I like to point all of my Recipes with the WW Points System.

This easy Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake recipe is only 5 Points on my app for one healthy version cake square.

Weight Watchers has a new individualized program right now to make it easier to enjoy the foods you love and still lose weight.

Just plug the ingredients into your WW app to confirm the points for your individual program.

If you want to see the old Purple, Blue and Green WW Food Lists for each plan just click Here… For a list of the 2024 Free WW Food list click here..

Make sure you check out my Newbie WW Tips and Tricks Guide if you are just getting started.

I used to go back and forth between the Purple Plan and the Blue Plan prior to the new program and whenever I hit a plateau I did my own 30 Day Low Carb Meal Plan which jumpstarts the Fat Burning again, so if you feel stuck try it!

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