Strawberry cake mix with fresh strawberries is a great dessert to make in the summertime or for a birthday party. Fresh berries in the batter of our boxed cake mix poke cake and on top too.
Jump To
- Fresh Strawberry Poke Cake
- Ingredient Notes
- Can you use frozen strawberries?
- Poke Cake Sauce
- How to Make Strawberry Boxed Cake Better
- How to Fill a Poke Cake
- How Long to Bake Strawberry Cake with Fresh Strawberries
- How long do you cool cake before frosting?
- Cake Mix with Strawberries Recipe
- What else can you make with strawberry cake mix?
- FAQ
This is sorta’ like a strawberries and cream poke cake! Instead of homemade you can use our cake mix hack to turn an ordinary box of ingredients into something that guests will rave over. Use sweetened condensed milk into the holes or our strawberry puree using fresh berries.
Fresh Strawberry Poke Cake
Ok so if you have never made one of these fun treats with holes in the top, this is how to make a poke cake to begin with. The whole idea is to bake it, puncture the surface so that you can pour a sauce of some kind into it so the middle will ooze with extra goodness. You can use warmed jam, chocolate or any sauce of your choosing really.
This go around we had a lot of fresh fruit so we pureed that with a bit of sugar to create more of a berry flavor inside and out. We have done a lot of things with this Duncan Hines strawberry cake mix. First we made a 2 ingredient strawberry cake with fresh strawberries and just a can of soda, surprisingly delicious really.
Traditionally this type of treat is made in a 9×13″ cake pan. If you wanted to do two 8″ pans we share how long does it take to bake a cake in all sizes here for you. This time we are going to use the ingredients as is listed to make the initial batter. Then we will gently fold in some fresh strawberries for texture and an added pop of flavors.
Ingredient Notes
You need to start off with 1 box of cake mix, strawberry used but white cake mix would work too, it just wouldn’t have as strong of the flavor you are yearning for.
Then you want a few large eggs added at room temperature, whisked before adding into the dry mix to make the batter.
The liquid used to make the batter is vegetable oil, pumpkin puree or yogurt are good alternatives, and some water too.
Then you have a few choices, you can just add fresh strawberries chopped on top or fold some into the batter as well.
Can you use frozen strawberries?
If you could find diced frozen strawberries yes you could fold about 1/2 cup into the batter but you would want to break them apart before doing so. You could not add them whole though, and on the top you would only want fresh sliced or it would get weighed down.
Poke Cake Sauce
You will puree strawberries chopped with some sugar and vanilla to make a sort of sauce to pour over the top to seep into the holes so it soaks in well. Another alternative would be to warm a cup or so of strawberry jam preserves. Then top with cool whip.
Like I said, what you use is up to you. Instead of our puree you could warm some homemade Instant Pot jam. Chocolate to me wouldn’t work for what we are going for which is a light summer like sweetness. Warmed marshmallow fluff would be okay but it doesn’t flow as well as something like sweetened condensed milk.
To make the holes on top there are a few ways to do it. If you have a boba straw handy that is the best idea ever. Then you just poke and the cake will get trapped inside so the hole will be empty, ready for you to fill with your goodies.
We have a lot of cake mix hacks on our site because it serves as a great base, but can be made better. One way to make it more bakery style is to add 1 more yolk into the batter, which will make it moister overall. The supreme varieties like this box do tend to be more tender than cheaper versions, but still an option. Here are some popular and scrumptious fillings to consider for your poke cake:
How to Make Strawberry Boxed Cake Better
Fruit purees add a burst of natural sweetness and flavor to the cake. Some popular choices include strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, mango, or mixed berry purees. Sweetened Condensed Milk is a rich and creamy filling adds a luscious texture and a touch of sweetness to the cake too.
You can fill the holes with fruit-flavored pudding for a creamy and delightful surprise. Vanilla, chocolate, or banana pudding can also be used. Or fill the holes with homemade whipped cream for a light and airy texture that complements any cake flavor.
How to Fill a Poke Cake
Choose your desired filling. After baking, let it cool slightly but not completely. It should still be warm. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick to poke holes evenly across the surface of the cake.
Pour or spoon the filling of your choice over the cake, making sure it goes into the holes. Spread the filling evenly across the cake’s surface, ensuring it’s absorbed into the holes. Refrigerate the cake to set the filling and enhance the flavors.
With these tempting filling options, you can create a dessert that will impress your friends and family with its moistness and delightful taste. Enjoy your filled cake as a sweet treat for any occasion!
A few other ideas we have made with this same box would be strawberry cake in a mug which is a fun midnight snack and you only use a few Tbsp of mix each time. You can use this to make brownies and other baked goods too though, did you know that? It’s not just for cakes anymore!
How Long to Bake Strawberry Cake with Fresh Strawberries
You will want 20-25 minutes for a 9×13″ traditional rectangle pan to bake to fluffy in the very center. The same as directed on the back of the box.
How long do you cool cake before frosting?
Refrigerate for 1 hour before you top with whipped topping (or a tub of cream cheese frosting) and add lots of sliced strawberries on top and place in your refrigerator to cool for 1 more hour covered with plastic wrap before serving.
Cake Mix with Strawberries Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix, strawberry
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped
Topping
- 1 tub Cool Whip
- 6 large strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil and water. Fold in the chopped strawberries.
- LIne pan with parchment paper or spray with non stick spray. Pour the batter into a prepared 9 x 13 pan. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes.
- While the cake is baking, blend 1 cup of strawberries in a blender until smooth. Put blended strawberries with sugar and vanilla extract in a pan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce thickens slightly. (could just use a can of sweetened condensed milk instead)
- Remove from heat. Once the cake has finished baking, remove and let cool for 10 minutes. Poke the cake all over with the back of a small spoon to make holes (I used a chopstick).
- Pour the strawberry sauce all over the cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Top with whipped topping with sliced strawberries on top and place in your refrigerator to cool for 1 more hour. Serve!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What else can you make with strawberry cake mix?
Another favorite creation is our strawberry cake mix cookies you can make them into other forms. With added white chocolate chips baked inside most times people can’t even believe that they weren’t homemade when these are served up at a party.
FAQ
You want to make the pieces small, bite sized. Wait until the batter is ready and smooth to gently fold the pieces in with a spatula so they don’t break apart. Firmer varieties will hold up better. When done it is a nice touch to slice fruit and garnish the frosting with more pieces.
1. Wash the fresh strawberries gently under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Make sure they are completely dry before placing them on the cake.
2. Decide on the thickness of the slices based on your preference and the size of your fruit. You can slice them in halves, quarters, or thinner slices, depending on the design you want to create.
3. Carefully place the slices on the cake, starting from the outer edge and working your way toward the center. You can create a pattern with them, like concentric circles, overlapping or even lines.
We don’t use that at all here and it’s great. Instead we made a sauce with fresh strawberries, a little sugar and juice. You could gently warm a jar of jam instead and make it this same way as well. Adds sweetness but lower in calories.
