strawberry jelly cake recipe
Who doesn’t love a good strawberry cake? Honestly, just the smell of it makes life a little brighter. Whether you’re showing up to a summer BBQ, bringing dessert to a potluck, or just want an excuse to eat cake on a Wednesday night (no judgment here), strawberry cake always steals the show.
And the best part? You don’t have to wait until strawberries are in season—frozen berries and jam have your back all year long. So, let’s dig into the wonderfully sweet world of strawberry cakes. From old-school Jell-O poke cakes to jam‑filled beauties that look straight out of a bakery window, here’s your crash course in strawberry cake glory.
Strawberry Cake Bases: The Starting Point
Every great cake starts with a base, and strawberry ones have some seriously fun options. Let’s break it down.
1. The Nostalgic Jell-O Poke Cake
This one’s pure retro magic. Think moist cake, holes poked all over, strawberry Jell-O poured in to work its colorful magic, and topped with whipped cream. It’s the kind of cake that shows up at family parties and instantly disappears.
- Bake your favorite boxed cake (vanilla or yellow work great).
- Poke holes all over with a wooden spoon handle.
- Pour prepared strawberry Jell-O so it soaks into the holes.
- Chill, then top with whipped cream or Cool Whip.
Fun twist: Try swapping flavors, or go lemon Jell-O + strawberry cake for a strawberry lemonade vibe!
2. The Fancy Strawberry Jam Cake
If the poke cake is the fun cousin, this one’s the “all dressed up” version. The jam keeps it moist and adds a sweet, slightly tangy flavor.
Two ways to pull it off:
- Jam Poke Cake: Bake a buttermilk cake, poke it, warm the jam and let it sink in. Chill before serving.
- Layer Cake: Add strawberry jam right into your cake batter (and even the frosting). You get a gorgeous pink color and bold strawberry flavor.
Pro tip: Frozen strawberries = just as good for homemade jam. Just thaw first.
3. Strawberry Gelatin Mix-In Cake
This one tosses strawberry Jell-O and fresh berries straight into the batter. Easy, fun, and your kitchen will smell incredible.
- Bring your eggs to room temp (a quick warm water bath works).
- Add wet ingredients first, dry second.
- Mix for only ~2 minutes to keep the cake fluffy.
- Toss in sliced strawberries for the real star power.
Frostings & Fillings: Because Naked Cake Isn’t a Vibe
Cream Cheese Strawberry Frosting
Rich, tangy, and perfect for strawberry cakes. Options include:
- Mashed & strained fresh strawberries (to avoid runny frosting).
- Spoonfuls of jam for flavor + color.
- Powdered freeze‑dried strawberries for max strawberry punch.
If it’s too soft, chill it or add extra powdered sugar.
- Brought to you by Whole Foods Market
Jam or Jelly Filling
A thin jam layer between cake layers = easy wow factor. It also keeps cakes from getting soggy.
Whipped Cream or Cool Whip
Best for poke cakes and lighter desserts. Add it fresh right before serving so it stays fluffy.
Baker’s Cheat Sheet (So You Don’t Cry Later)
- Doneness check: Toothpick should come out clean.
- Cool completely: Don’t frost a warm cake unless you want a slide show.
- Parchment + spray: Best cake‑removal hack.
- Crumb coat: A lifesaver against rogue crumbs.
- Room temp ingredients: Always, always, always.
Fun Extras & Flavor Swaps
- Add lemon zest for a strawberry‑lemonade moment.
- Swap strawberry jam for raspberry, blueberry, even apricot.
- Pair with chocolate cake mix—your inner chocoholic will thank you.
Storage & Make-Ahead Hacks
Storage:
Keep frosted cakes in the fridge, airtight. Best eaten within 2–3 days. Poke cakes stay good about 4 days.
Freezing:
- Freeze layers (frosted or unfrosted) for later.
- Wrap pieces individually if you want “grab and thaw” cake slices.
- Add fresh berries only after thawing.
Make Ahead:
Prep components (cake layers, fillings, frosting) a day or two in advance, then assemble when ready. Poke cakes especially love being made ahead—they get even better chilled overnight!
Your Strawberry Cake Masterpiece Awaits
There you go—three awesome approaches to strawberry cake, all dressed up with frostings, fillings, tips, and hacks. Whether you go quick and nostalgic or pretty and polished, you’re about to win dessert duty forever.
Now fire up that oven, grab your mixer, and don’t forget: leftover strawberry cake makes an excellent breakfast. Just sayin’.
