Description
This bright and refreshing poke cake combines zesty lemon cake, sweet strawberry Jell-O filling, and creamy buttercream frosting for the perfect summer dessert. Easy to make and full of fruity flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 (15 1/4-ounce) box lemon cake mix
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding
- 3/4 cup lemonade
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 5 eggs
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 1 1/4 cups lemonade
- 1 (3.4-ounce) box strawberry Jell-O
For the Topping:
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- 2 (12-ounce) tubs buttercream frosting
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced or halved
- 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions
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Preheat Oven & Prep Pan:
- Preheat oven to 325ยฐF (163ยฐC).
- Line a 13ร9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray.
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Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix and pudding mix.
- Add lemonade, oil, and eggs, whisking until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
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Bake the Cake:
- Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes).
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Prepare the Strawberry Filling:
- In a small saucepan, bring lemonade to a low simmer over medium heat.
- Remove from heat, stir in strawberry Jell-O, and mix until fully dissolved (about 3 minutes).
- Set aside to cool to room temperature (about 10 minutes).
-
Poke & Fill the Cake:
- Once the cake is cooled, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke about 24 holes evenly across the cake.
- Spoon the Jell-O mixture into the holes.
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Chill the Cake:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight for the best texture).
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Frost & Garnish:
- Remove the cake from the refrigerator.
- Spread the buttercream frosting evenly over the top.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- Chilling Tip: Overnight chilling allows the flavors to meld better.
- Frosting Option: Swap buttercream for whipped cream for a lighter version.
- Make it Extra Citrusy: Add lemon zest to the frosting for a tangy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg