Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake Recipe: A Nostalgic, Delicious Delight
If you’re craving a dessert that combines childhood nostalgia with mouthwatering flavors, look no further than the Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake. This cake, reminiscent of those delightful strawberry shortcake ice cream bars we loved as kids, is packed with layers of irresistible flavor and texture. The soft, moist strawberry cake, infused with a fruity gelatin soak, is topped with a fluffy cream cheese frosting and crowned with a crunchy, sweet topping of Golden Oreos and strawberry gelatin. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or simply to indulge in a treat, this cake is sure to impress both kids and adults alike.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Cake, Cakes/Cupcakes
- Method: Baking, Refrigerating
- Cuisine: American, Dessert
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix – This provides the base for our cake. While you could make a cake from scratch, using a boxed cake mix simplifies the process and still yields a light, moist result.
- Ingredients for the cake mix – These include the usual oil, eggs, and water, as directed on the box.
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry gelatin – The star ingredient that infuses the cake with a rich strawberry flavor. The gelatin is also what creates the poke cake effect, soaking into the cake to keep it moist and flavorful.
- 1 cup boiling water – This is mixed with the gelatin to dissolve it and create the liquid soak.
- 1 cup cold water – Helps cool the gelatin down before it’s poured over the cake.
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened – The base for the creamy frosting. Its richness adds a nice balance to the sweet cake.
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream – This gives the frosting its light, airy texture. Whipped cream also adds a lovely contrast to the dense cake.
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar – Sweetens the frosting without making it too heavy.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – Adds a subtle, warm flavor that complements the tanginess of the cream cheese.
For the Strawberry Crunch Topping:
- 18–20 Golden Oreos, coarsely crushed – These cookies add a buttery crunch and a bit of vanilla flavor, perfect for the topping. They provide the “crunch” that contrasts with the soft cake and frosting.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted – The butter helps bind the crushed Oreos together and gives them a glossy, golden finish.
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry gelatin powder – The dry gelatin powder is mixed with the crushed Oreos to create the signature strawberry crunch topping.
- Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional) – A fresh pop of color and flavor. Adding them on top brings a nice touch of freshness and enhances the strawberry theme.
Instructions
Preparing the Cake
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing it with cooking spray. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan and make cleanup a breeze.
In a large mixing bowl, prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions. This typically involves adding eggs, oil, and water to the cake mix and stirring until smooth. Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
Bake the cake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be light golden brown and spring back when lightly touched. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly.
Making the Strawberry Gelatin Soak
While the cake is cooling, prepare the strawberry gelatin soak. In a small pitcher or bowl, combine the strawberry gelatin with the boiling water and stir until the gelatin dissolves completely. Once dissolved, add the cold water to the mixture and stir again.
Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a similar tool to poke holes all over the top of the cake. The holes should be about 1 inch apart. Pour the strawberry gelatin mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes. The gelatin soak will make the cake moist and flavorful.
Refrigerating the Cake
Cover the cake with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This will give the gelatin plenty of time to set and fully soak into the cake, ensuring every bite is infused with that sweet strawberry flavor.
Preparing the Frosting
While the cake is chilling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Scrape the cream cheese out into a medium bowl and set it aside.
Next, add the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract to the mixer bowl and switch to the whisk attachment. Whisk the mixture on high speed for about 5-7 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. This will create a light, fluffy whipped cream that complements the dense cake and frosting.
Once the whipped cream is ready, gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined. This will create a smooth, fluffy frosting. Spread the frosting evenly over the chilled cake, covering it completely.
Making the Strawberry Crunch Topping
To prepare the strawberry crunch topping, start by coarsely crushing the Golden Oreos in a medium bowl. You can use a food processor, a rolling pin, or simply place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with your hands.
Next, melt the butter and add it to the crushed cookies, stirring to combine. Add the strawberry gelatin powder (the dry powder, not dissolved) and mix it into the crushed Oreos and butter until everything is evenly coated.
Sprinkle the crunch mixture over the frosted cake, pressing it gently into the frosting to help it adhere. The topping should cover the entire cake, providing a delightful contrast in both flavor and texture.
Garnishing and Serving
If desired, garnish the cake with fresh strawberries for an extra burst of color and flavor. The fresh strawberries will add a slightly tart note that balances the sweetness of the cake and frosting.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving. This will allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together. When ready to serve, slice the cake into generous pieces and enjoy the delightful combination of moist cake, creamy frosting, and crunchy topping.
Notes
- Cake Mix Variations: While the white cake mix is traditional for this recipe, you could experiment with other flavors, such as a vanilla or strawberry cake mix, to enhance the overall strawberry flavor of the cake.
- Frosting Options: If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can use whipped topping or whipped cream instead of cream cheese frosting. Alternatively, a mascarpone cheese-based frosting would add a rich, creamy texture.
- Crunch Topping Substitutes: While Golden Oreos are a great choice for this topping, you can also use vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers for a different flavor and texture. Experimenting with different cookies will allow you to create a unique crunch topping each time.
- Make Ahead: This cake is perfect for making ahead, as it holds up well in the refrigerator for a few days. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will meld together, making it even more delicious.
- Topping Variations: You could also add other ingredients to the topping, such as chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or mini chocolate chips, to create your own variation of the crunch topping.