When I was a little girl, my grandma would make what she called a “Poke Cake”  She usually made it for her girlfriends when they were coming over to play bridge or for a Sunday dinner after church.  She always used Cool Whip, but I prefer real whipping cream – you choose 🙂

I hope this easy strawberry cake brings joy to your celebration or you can make an ordinary week night feel special.

Enjoy!

Sherri

Ingredients

You are going to start with a white cake mix.  Just follow directions on the box.  I like to make 2 9 inch rounds and layer this cake but you can also use a 9×13 pan.

  • 1 (3-oz.) box strawberry Jell-O

FROSTING

  • 1 1/2 cheavy whipping cream
  • 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2/3 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. kosher salt

TOPPING

  • 24 vanilla sandwich cookies, such as Golden Oreos
  •  (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 (3-oz.) box strawberry Jell-O
  • Fresh strawberries, halved for decoration on top and on sides of cake

Next steps…

After your cake has cooled, use a fork to poke holes in the cake.  Make sure you don’t go all the way through to the bottom.

In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Add Jell-O powder; whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/2 cup cold water.
Pour the gelatin mixture evenly over holes on cake. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours


In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat heavy whipping cream on high speed until stiff peaks form.


In another large bowl, using handheld mixer, beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until smooth, then add in vanilla and salt. Fold in whipped cream. Spread frosting over top of cake.


In a food processor, pulse cookies to pea-sized crumbs. Transfer to a medium bowl. Pour melted  butter over crumbs, sprinkle with Jell-O powder, and stir to combine.


Sprinkle crumb mixture over frosting, pressing lightly into the frosting so it adheres.

 Add freshly cut strawberries and creatively decorate