This delightful strawberry buttermilk poke cake is a fantastic dessert that combines moist cake with a burst of fresh strawberry flavor. You’ll love how easy it is to make and how refreshing it tastes, perfect for any occasion.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Fresh Strawberries: You can use frozen sliced strawberries if fresh are unavailable, just thaw them first.
- Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Cake Mix: A white or yellow cake mix works best.
- Whipped Topping: You can use homemade whipped cream as an alternative.
Ingredients:
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box white or yellow cake mix
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Tools Needed: 9×13 inch baking pan, large mixing bowls, whisk, electric mixer (optional), wooden spoon or fork.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, ensuring the batter is smooth.
2. Bake the Cake
Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes on a wire rack.
3. Macerate the Strawberries
While the cake cools, combine the hulled and sliced fresh strawberries with ½ cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Stir gently and let them sit for at least 10 minutes. This draws out their natural juices, creating a delicious strawberry syrup.
4. Prepare the Gelatin Mixture
In a separate bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until completely smooth. Add ½ cup of cold water to the mixture and stir well.
5. Poke and Pour
Once the cake has cooled slightly, use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the top of the cake, spacing them about an inch apart. Carefully pour the prepared strawberry gelatin mixture evenly over the entire cake, ensuring it seeps into all the holes.
6. Chill the Cake
Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, or until the gelatin is fully set. This allows the cake to absorb all the strawberry goodness and become incredibly moist.
7. Top and Serve
Once chilled, spread the thawed whipped topping evenly over the top of the cake. Spoon the macerated strawberries, along with their delicious juices, over the whipped topping. Your strawberry buttermilk poke cake is now ready to enjoy!
Variation Ideas:
- Cream Cheese Frosting: For a richer topping, use a cream cheese frosting instead of whipped topping.
- Different Berries: Experiment with other berries like raspberries or blueberries in place of strawberries.
- Lemon Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cake batter for a brighter flavor profile.
Storage Instructions:
Store any leftover strawberry buttermilk poke cake covered in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. This cake is best served chilled, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can you make this cake with a gluten-free cake mix?
A: Yes, you can typically substitute a gluten-free white or yellow cake mix according to package directions.
Q: Why do you poke holes in the cake?
A: Poking holes allows the gelatin mixture to seep into the cake, infusing it with flavor and moisture, creating the “poke cake” effect.
Q: Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of frozen whipped topping?
A: Absolutely! Freshly whipped cream adds a wonderful lightness to this strawberry cake recipe.
Q: How do you know when the cake is fully baked?
A: The cake is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, without any wet batter.
Q: Can I make this strawberry buttermilk poke cake a day ahead?
A: Yes, this cake is excellent when made a day in advance, as it gives the flavors more time to meld and the cake to fully chill.