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Desserts » Cakes/Cupcakes » My Favorite Strawberry Poke Cake

My Favorite Strawberry Poke Cake

Created by Amy Engberson 50 Comments

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a square of pink strawberry cake topped with whipped cream and white chocolate curls and a fresh strawberry on the plate. Little Dairy on the Prairie

Strawberry Poke Cake happens to be one of my new favorite cakes! Every hole in this cake is filled with creamy and decadent sweetened condensed milk and strawberry sauce! Then there’s a layer of whipped topping! It’s made with a cake mix, which means it’s super easy, and it’s best if it’s made ahead of time! #winning

pink strawberry poke cake with holes filled with sweetened condensed milk and topped with a layer of white whipped cream and sprinkled with white chocolate curls. Little Dairy on the Prairie
This cake is the PERFECT recipe for Valentine’s Day dessert!

Today has been a crazy day of being stuck in the office. I have no idea what I’ll come up with for a quick dinner idea. It has to be something easy…I’m looking at you Pizza Sliders or Microwave Beef Burritos! Who cares what we are having for dinner anyway, the important question is what are we having for dessert?

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake that’s what on tap for dessert and I couldn’t be more excited!

Usually, I’m a chocolate dessert only kind of girl. Let’s be honest for a minute if a dessert has fruit it should really be called breakfast! Please don’t judge me! This cake though, it’s so luscious it truly does count as dessert and a dang good one at that!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. How to video
  2. Ingredients
  3. Step By Step Instructions
  4. Pro Tips
  5. Fun Topping Ideas
  6. Printable Recipe and More Ideas

How to make poke cakes video

a can of sweetened condensed milk, a jar of strawberry sundae topping, and a cake mix
It’s easy to keep the ingredients for poke cakes on hand.

Strawberry Poke Cake Ingredients

  • Strawberry Cake Mix + Ingredients to Make It– any brand, if you don’t have a strawberry cake mix use vanilla or white cake mix. Chocolate cake mix would make a delicious Chocolate Strawberry Poke Cake! I use Duncan Hines or Pillsbury {affiliate link}
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – be sure to use sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk. I used Eagle Brand
  • Strawberry Topping – find it near the ice cream toppings or from Amazon {affiliate link}. You can also use strawberry pie filling {affiliate link}
  • Heavy Whipping Cream – I’m a dairy farmer so I always use the real stuff. If you really need to you can use frozen whipped topping.
a graphic with four images showing step by step how to make a poke cake
Here’s the step by step instructions on how to make a poke cake.

How to make a strawberry poke cake

  1. Make and bake the cake in a 9 x 13 pan according to directions on the box.
  2. Mix sweetened condensed milk and strawberry topping together.
  3. While the cake is still warm, poke holes in about an inch apart with the end of a wooden spoon.
  4. Pour sweetened condensed milk mixture over the cake making sure it fills the holes as much as possible.
  5. Let the cake cool.
  6. Whip cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped topping over cake.
  7. Garnish as desired.
  8. Refrigerate for 2 or more hours. My family likes this cake best the next day.
  9. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
a piece of strawberry cake with a bit on a fork, a fresh strawberry in the background
This dessert is even better the next day!

Tips for making and storing poke cakes

  • Poke cakes are best if they are made ahead of time! Yay! The sauce has time to do its thing and helps make the cake extra moist!
  • Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes in the top of the cake. Make sure the handle of the spoon is thick, at least 1/4 inch in diameter. I’m not exactly sure what happened to my wooden spoon so I use a plastic one. It works fine too. Just make sure it’s a fat one!
  • Poke holes in the cake while it’s still warm. Pour the sweetened condensed milk, Jello, or pudding over the cake while it’s still warm.
  • For sweetened condensed milk poke cakes, let the cake sit at room temperature while it continues to cool. The runny mixture will set up as it cools and if you put the cake in the fridge it will cool too quickly before the runny mixture has a chance to settle in all the little nooks and crannies. Jell-O poke cakes need to be refrigerated to set up properly.
  • Always use real whipped cream. That frozen stuff isn’t really cream! It’s worth the little extra effort in my opinion!
  • Keep leftovers in the refrigerator.
  • I’ve never tried freezing a poke cake. It’s so quick and easy to make I think it’s worth making fresh!
a 9 x 13 pan with baked cake topped with whipped cream and white chocolate curls
Let your imagination go crazy and top this cake however you want!

Toppings for poke cakes

If you want to customize your own poke cake here are some fun suggestions!

Topping

  • Whipped Cream – easy and delicious
  • Pudding – mix prepared pudding with whipped cream
  • Cream Cheese – for a cheesecake version mix 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 2 cups whipped cream together

Garnishes

  • Chocolate curls – use a vegetable peeler to make curls, white or milk chocolate
  • Chocolate shavings – grate on the fine side of a cheese grater
  • Sprinkles – red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, heart-shaped sprinkles for Valentines Day, or red ones for Christmas
  • Fresh Fruit – fresh strawberries, raspberries, lemon slice, etc.
  • Chopped Nuts – match them to the flavor of your cake (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, pecans)
  • Candy Pieces – toffee chips, mini candy-coated chocolate pieces, mini chocolate chips, chopped candy bars
  • Chopped Cookies – chocolate sandwich cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, etc.
  • Dessert Sauce – drizzle chocolate hot fudge sauce, homemade raspberry sauce, or caramel sauce
A square of pink cake with holes poked in it, then filled with strawberry and cream filling, and topped with whipped cream layer.
This gorgeous cake is perfect for Valentine’s Day!

printable recipe for strawberry poke cake

Like I said earlier, who cares what’s for dinner. The important thing to know is what is for dessert! This tasty cake is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a weeknight, or pretty much any time of the day or night! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do!

Other Cake Mix Recipes

  • Peppermint Bark Poke Cake – A Christmas favorite
  • Raspberry Filled Chocolate Cupcakes – easy and impressive
  • Ganache Filled Chocolate Cupcakes – three kinds of chocolate
  • Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cupcakes – a cupcake stuffed with cheesecake filling
  • Red Velvet Bar Cookies – gooey and decadent
  • Rhubarb Cobbler – the best of cake and cobbler

Easy Strawberry Recipes

  • Strawberry Cookies – with cream cheese
  • Cake Mix Strawberry Banana Bread – use it for strawberry shortcake
  • Virgin Strawberry Sangria – it’s a mocktail
  • Strawberry and Cream Bark – cute candy treat

Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe

This strawberry poke cake with sweetened condensed milk and fresh strawberries is a favorite old fashioned cake recipe! It’s so easy to make and always a hit!

A square of pink cake with holes poked in it, then filled with strawberry and cream filling, and topped with whipped cream layer.

Strawberry Poke Cake

Strawberry Poke Cake happens to be one of my new favorite cakes and definitely my new favorite version of strawberries and cream! This is the cake you are going to want to serve from Valentine’s Day all throughout the summer!
3.85 from 20 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cake Mix Poke Cake, Easy Poke Cake, Poke Cake with Sweetened Condensed Milk, Strawberry Cake, Strawberry Poke Cake
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 18
Calories: 214kcal
Author: Amy

Ingredients

  • 1 15.25 ounce strawberry cake mix Made according to package directions
  • 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
  • 11.75 ounce strawberry topping (it’s by the ice cream toppings in the grocery store)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 Tbsp sugar

Garnish

  • Sprinkles, chocolate curls, strawberries, etc.

Instructions

  • Make and bake the cake in a 9 x 13 pan according to directions on the box.
  • Mix sweetened condensed milk and strawberry topping together.
  • While cake is still warm, poke holes in it every inch with the end of a wooden spoon.
  • Pour sweetened condensed milk mixture over the cake making sure it fills the holes as much as possible.
  • Let the cake cool.
  • Whip cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped topping over cake.
  • Garnish as desired.
  • Refrigerate for 2 or more hours. My family likes this cake best the next day.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 451IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @littledairyontheprairie or tag #littledairyontheprairie!
an image of a serving of strawberry cake with a text overlay
a collage with images of strawberry poke cake
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about amy

About Amy Engberson

I live on a dairy with my husband and three boys. Although we are in the business of raising cattle, we really are in the business of raising boys. I am passionate about catching up with each other at meal times. My love language is food. And I hope that my men feel the love in every bite. Read more...

Filed Under: Cakes/Cupcakes, Desserts, Holidays, Valentines Day Tagged With: Cake, Easy Dessert, fruit dessert, Make Ahead Dessert, strawberries, Valentines Day, Whipped Cream

← Weekly Family Menu – 142 Weekly Family Meal Plan – 142 →

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  1. Erren says

    February 10, 2017 at 9:56 am

    I wish someone would make me one of these for Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 10, 2017 at 11:27 am

      Wouldn’t it be nice if someone else did the cooking once in awhile?

      Reply
  2. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says

    February 10, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    What a perfect spring time treat!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 15, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Thank goodness it’s spring! Bring on the strawberries!

      Reply
  3. Erin @ Texanerin Baking says

    February 11, 2017 at 5:45 am

    What a delicious looking treat! It’s time I try poke cake.

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 15, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Erin if you haven’t tried a poke cakes yet you’ve got to! You won’t be disappointed!

      Reply
  4. Katerina @ diethood .com says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:02 am

    What an incredible dessert for Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 15, 2017 at 10:48 pm

      Thanks! It’s crazy a recipe that’s so easy could taste so yummy!

      Reply
  5. Sabrina says

    February 12, 2017 at 12:46 am

    Strawberry is my favorite fruit to bake with! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 15, 2017 at 10:47 pm

      Who could resist strawberries this time of the year? So yummy!

      Reply
  6. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

    February 12, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    Wow! This cake looks and sounds amazing! 🙂 You just can never go wrong with a good old fashioned poke cake.

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 15, 2017 at 10:46 pm

      They are so easy, and so yummy! So much to love about them!

      Reply
  7. Cathy Trochelman says

    February 13, 2017 at 10:12 am

    This looks really delicious! I can see why it’s a favorite!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 15, 2017 at 10:45 pm

      It’s so easy and surprisingly just as yummy as chocolate versions! I never thought I would say that!

      Reply
      • Danai says

        January 25, 2018 at 12:51 pm

        Could I use a white cake mix?

        Reply
        • Amy Engberson says

          January 25, 2018 at 7:21 pm

          You could use a white cake mix but you won’t get that pretty pink color or quite as much of that scrumptious strawberry flavor! I think it would still taste fantastic though because there is quite a bit of strawberry flavor in that gooey sauce you pour over the top! Let me know how it goes!

          Reply
  8. Jessaca says

    October 29, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    Made this today for my sons 11th birthday (he asked for a strawberry cake). Only bad part of this particular recipe is, the prep time & cook time doesn’t state the 2-3 hour set time. So I seen that and thought we would be fine to start in a couple hours before the party. 🙁 I hope it still works out good. Followed recipe to a ‘T’ except the cool whip topping. I made a cool whip-cream cheese frosting instead. Thanks for the great recipe. Cant wait to taste it!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      October 31, 2017 at 5:51 pm

      Cream cheese frosting sounds like a great choice. And yes, it should still taste good even if it doesn’t sit quiet as long as the recipe states! Happy Birthday to your son!

      Reply
  9. Kimberly Koehler says

    January 14, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    I can’t wait to try it! I made this tonight and used the correct size portions but had a lot of excess sweetened condensed milk/strawberry mixture. Is this normal? Not sure if i did something wrong, and debated whether to use it all, thinking it may soak in. I used it, so we shall see. I’m sure it will be delicious either way!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      January 17, 2018 at 2:56 pm

      Hi Kimbererly! I did use the entire amount of sweetened condensed milk mixture! I does seem like overload but it makes the cake moist and so decadent! Hope you loved it!

      Reply
  10. Melissa Hurd says

    February 13, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    I apsolutely love anything strawberry. And I love cooking. But my passion is baking. Do u have a reciepe using homemade Carmel sauce made from sweetened condensed milk??? Stuffed cupcakes/ or a filling in a poke cake or a layered cake? Thank you and GOD BLESS U ALL

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      March 2, 2018 at 7:32 am

      Hi Melissa! I don’t have a homemade caramel sauce on my site but it would be delicious! I have a Red Velvet Cupcake that’s filled with cream cheese https://www.littledairyontheprairie.com/red-velvet-cupcakes-cream-cheese-surprise-inside/. I also have a Strawberry Cream Poke Cake that’s delicious! https://www.littledairyontheprairie.com/strawberry-poke-cake/ Happy Baking!

      Reply
    • Mkb says

      December 24, 2018 at 1:01 am

      Remove the labels from the can .
      Place them in water unopened boil for 3 hours. Remove let stand for 30 minutes before opening. Pour out your caramel. Enjoy!

      Reply
  11. Sheena says

    April 22, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    I love making poke cakes I will be trying this one very soon it looks delicious

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      April 23, 2018 at 10:38 am

      Poke cakes are fantasitcally easy and incredibly delicious! This one is so yummy, especially for spring and summer!

      Reply
  12. MW says

    July 5, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    Much better the second day. Mine came out nothing like the picture – the sweetened condensed milk and strawberry topping mixture was extremely thick and I actually had to push it into the holes. It just sat there. It sort of soaked in overnight but not as much as I thought it would. Still tasted good. Made me think of strawberry shortcake. I would be tempted to try either jam or preserves next time. One, I would like flavor better than the ice cream topping (might just be the brand used) and two, would like the chunks of fruit. Overall it was quite good and will attempt again.

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 5, 2018 at 6:25 pm

      I’m glad it tasted yummy! I’m wondering if the brand of topping is making the difference. My sweetened condensed milk and strawberry ice cream topping was pretty thin and did have small chunks of fruit in it. I used Smuckers. Jam might be really sweet, but then again that’s not always a bad thing! 😉

      Reply
      • MW says

        July 6, 2018 at 12:23 pm

        I used Coldstone. Didn’t even taste like strawberry. Will not buy again. The store was out of Smuckers but will try to find. Cake was still good despite the issue. Will make again.

        Reply
        • Amy Engberson says

          July 9, 2018 at 9:56 am

          I just bought a jar of Smuckers the other day and I’m planning on making this cake again and creating a vidoe of it so everyone can see exactly what it looks like!

          Reply
  13. Amanda says

    July 16, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    This looks so tasty, my kids will love this!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 7:29 pm

      My kids and their friends gobbled it up! I bet your kids will love it too!

      Reply
  14. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

    July 16, 2018 at 7:02 pm

    Look how moist that cake is!! It is also a gorgeous cake!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      That sweet strawberry sauce is so yummy I could eat it with a spoon! It’s pretty good drizzled over the cake too!

      Reply
  15. Dee says

    July 16, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    This looks yummy AND gorgeous! I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks! Like I said, I’m usaually a chocolate girl all the way and I’m totally in love with this cake! It’s that good!

      Reply
  16. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    July 17, 2018 at 11:27 am

    This looks SO good! My kids love strawberry! They’ll surely enjoy this!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      Stawberries are begging to be enjoyed all spring and summer long! This cake is such a crowd pleaser!

      Reply
  17. Abeer says

    July 17, 2018 at 3:58 pm

    OMG! Gorgeous! This cake looks so moist!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:49 pm

      All that sweetened condensed milk and strawberry sauce make every bit decadent and moist! It’s almost makes me feel guilty!

      Reply
  18. Jessica says

    July 18, 2018 at 6:44 am

    Looks like the perfect dessert this Summer!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:45 pm

      It’s such an easy, yet decadent dessert!

      Reply
  19. Kimberly says

    July 18, 2018 at 10:45 am

    That looks so yummy, I’d love a big slice of it now!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:45 pm

      Oh my goodness! It’s just right for summer!

      Reply
  20. Andrea says

    February 15, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    5 stars
    This cake is amazing! Very easy to make too! It’s going to be a go to recipe!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      February 18, 2019 at 10:28 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad you love this recipe! It’s so easy, yet so yummy!

      Reply
  21. Jessica @FitnessEquipmentsLab says

    May 11, 2019 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    Hello Amy, Everyone really enjoyed this cake. People kept requesting this cake and it was my first time. Very easy to make and delicious yum !

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      May 18, 2019 at 7:29 am

      Yay! It sounds like the cake was a hit! So happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  22. M Muehleisen says

    December 18, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    This was a HUGE hit! My family loved it! My daughter asked me to make this again for her cheer Christmas party. It was super simple to make!

    Reply
    • Amy Engberson says

      December 18, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy you loved it! You must be a super fun mom to host a cheer Christmas party! Good luck!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Weekly Family Meal Plan 145 - NeighborFood says:
    July 22, 2018 at 6:01 am

    […] Strawberry Poke Cake – Little Dairy on the Prairie […]

    Reply
Hi I’m Amy! Welcome to my stinky farm life where my days are filled with chasing kids and cows! It’s all about simply delicious food around here! If you leave my house hungry…it’s your own fault! Read More..

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