The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking. I like to keep things simple but tasty, mixing classic recipes with a little creativity. Sometimes my kitchen gets messy, but that’s where the fun is! Whether you’re new to cooking or have some experience, I’m here to help you enjoy making delicious meals that feel like home. Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
When I first made this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries, I remember the sunlight pouring into my kitchen and the smell of sweet cake filling the air. Even though poke cake is not a traditional Greek dessert, strawberries are very special to me. On Crete, when strawberries come into season, I buy them fresh from the local market. Their perfume alone makes me smile.
This Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries feels like a celebration of spring and summer. It looks beautiful, tastes refreshing, and always disappears quickly at the table. The soft vanilla cake soaked with strawberry flavor and topped with fluffy cream and fresh berries makes every bite light and joyful.
I love how this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries brings color to the table. It reminds me of gathering with my sisters, cousins, and friends, laughing over coffee while the children run around the yard. This cake does not just sit quietly on a plate. It shines.
If you are looking for an easy dessert that feels impressive but stays simple, this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries will become your favorite too.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love this recipe because it never fails me. I can prepare it for birthdays, Sunday lunches, school gatherings, or even when a neighbor stops by unexpectedly.
The cake stays incredibly moist because the strawberry gelatin seeps into every little hole. That is the magic of a poke cake. Each slice shows beautiful pink lines inside, and when I cut it, everyone always says, “Ohhh!”
I also love that fresh strawberries sit right on top. They add natural sweetness and a little freshness that balances the soft cake and creamy topping.
Most of all, I love how easy it feels. I do not need fancy techniques. I do not need special skills. I just need good strawberries, simple ingredients, and a little patience while it chills.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here is everything I use to make this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 oz / 430 g) vanilla or white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 1 package (3 oz / 85 g) strawberry gelatin
- 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water
For the Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
My Little Secrets
• I always choose bright red, fragrant strawberries. If they smell sweet, they will taste sweet.
• I let the cake cool slightly before poking holes. If I pour gelatin too soon, it becomes too soggy.
• I chill the cake for at least 2 hours. This step makes all the difference.
• I whip the cream in a cold bowl. Cold cream whips better and holds its shape beautifully.
How I Make It, Step by Step
👩🍳 I make this cake with love and patience.
1. Prepare the Oven
I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C). I lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, I combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. I beat everything until smooth and creamy.
3. Bake the Cake
I pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 28–32 minutes. I check with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
4. Cool and Poke
I let the cake cool for about 15 minutes. Then I take the handle of a wooden spoon and gently poke holes all over the cake. I space them about 1 inch apart.
5. Prepare the Gelatin
In a bowl, I pour 1 cup boiling water over the strawberry gelatin. I stir until fully dissolved. Then I add 1/2 cup cold water and mix again.
6. Pour the Strawberry Mixture
Slowly, I pour the gelatin mixture over the cake. I make sure it flows into the holes evenly.
7. Chill
I place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Sometimes I leave it overnight if I prepare it ahead.
8. Make the Whipped Cream
I beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form.
9. Decorate
I spread the whipped cream gently over the chilled cake. Then I arrange the fresh strawberry slices on top.
10. Chill Again
I keep it refrigerated until serving time.
How I Serve It at Home
I cut the cake into generous squares. I serve it cold, straight from the refrigerator.
Sometimes I add a few whole strawberries on each plate. Other times I sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top. When I want to make it extra special, I drizzle a bit of strawberry syrup.
We usually enjoy it with Greek coffee or iced tea in summer.
This cake always feels festive. Even on a simple weekday, it makes the table feel like a celebration.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
I always store leftovers covered in the refrigerator. The cake stays fresh for up to 3 days.
I do not reheat this cake because it tastes best cold.
If I want to prepare ahead:
• I bake the cake one day before.
• I add the gelatin and refrigerate.
• I whip the cream and decorate the next day.
If strawberries are not in season, I sometimes use raspberries or mixed berries instead.
100-Word Short Version
Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries is a soft vanilla cake soaked with sweet strawberry gelatin and topped with homemade whipped cream and fresh berries. I bake a simple cake, poke holes, pour the strawberry mixture over it, chill it, and finish with fluffy cream and juicy strawberries. This easy dessert is perfect for spring and summer gatherings. It stays moist, colorful, and refreshing. Serve it chilled for the best flavor. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. It is simple, beautiful, and always a crowd favorite.
Recipe Card
⏱️ Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and water until smooth.
- Pour into dish and bake 28–32 minutes.
- Cool 15 minutes and poke holes evenly.
- Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add cold water.
- Pour gelatin over cake evenly.
- Refrigerate 2 hours.
- Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff.
- Spread whipped cream over cake.
- Top with fresh strawberries and chill until serving.
📝 Notes
Use ripe strawberries for best flavor. Chill thoroughly before serving. Store covered in refrigerator up to 3 days.
🍽️ Nutrition (per slice)
Calories: 320
Carbohydrates: 42g
Sugar: 28g
Fat: 15g
Protein: 4g
Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries is light, fluffy, and irresistibly moist, packed with real strawberry flavor. I bake a soft vanilla cake, poke holes across the top, and pour in strawberry gelatin so every bite turns juicy and sweet. Then I finish it with homemade whipped cream and a generous layer of fresh strawberries. It is perfect for spring gatherings, summer parties, potlucks, and birthdays, and it always disappears fast.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, oil, and water until smooth and well combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared dish and bake 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake for 15 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- In a bowl, dissolve strawberry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water.
- Slowly pour the gelatin mixture evenly over the cake so it runs into the holes.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight) until the gelatin sets.
- In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Spread whipped cream evenly over the chilled cake.
- Top with fresh sliced strawberries. Keep chilled until serving, then slice and enjoy.
Notes
Use ripe, fragrant strawberries for the best flavor. Chill the cake long enough for the gelatin to fully set or the slices will look messy. If you need a shortcut, swap homemade whipped cream for 8 oz whipped topping. Add chopped strawberries between the gelatin and whipped cream for extra fruit. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing because the whipped cream and fresh strawberries can weep after thawing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Conclusion
Every time I make this Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries, I feel like I am sharing a little happiness on a plate. It is bright, sweet, and comforting. It brings smiles without needing anything complicated.
If you make this cake, imagine me in my kitchen in Crete, wiping flour from my hands and smiling as you take your first bite.
Because cooking is never just about food. It is about love, family, and the sweet memories we create together.
