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Strawberry Lemonade Poke Cake

Strawberry Lemonade Poke Cake

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  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 7 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 57 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

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

  1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan:

    • Preheat oven to 325ยฐF (163ยฐC).
    • Line a 13ร—9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. 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.
  6. Chill the Cake:

    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight for the best texture).
  7. 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