Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake

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Absolutely! Here’s an epic, fully detailed recipe for a Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake, combining indulgent cake, creamy cheesecake, and sweet strawberries in one luscious dessert. This version draws inspiration from Beyond Frosting, with added depth, background, and romance—perfect for passionate bakers and dessert lovers alike. 💕

🍓 Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake – A Decadent, Fruity Treat ✨

A Love Story Between Strawberries, Cheesecake, and Cake

💫 Introduction: A Dessert That Steals Hearts

Imagine the tender crumb of a vanilla cake soaked in sweet strawberry syrup, layered with a silky cream cheese topping, and crowned with luscious whipped cream and strawberry glaze. This Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake is the dessert equivalent of a romantic novel—sweet, rich, layered, and impossible to resist.

Originating from the classic American “poke cake” method—where holes are poked into a baked cake and filled with pudding, gelatin, or syrup—this version takes it to new heights with a cheesecake twist and fruity flair. It’s an ideal dessert for gatherings, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any day that needs a bit of sweetness.

🧾 Ingredients

For the Vanilla Cake:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup water (warm)

For the Strawberry Filling:

  • 1 (3 oz) package strawberry gelatin (like Jell-O)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1½ cups finely chopped fresh strawberries (optional but recommended)

For the Cheesecake Layer:

  • 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1¼ cups heavy whipping cream

For the Whipped Topping:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnishes:

  • Fresh strawberry slices
  • Crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers
  • Drizzle of strawberry sauce or glaze

🥄 Instructions & Methods

Step 1: Bake the Vanilla Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
  3. Mix in the sour cream until smooth.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk and warm water. Mix until smooth and lump-free.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the surface (go deep but not through).

Step 2: Add the Strawberry Filling

  1. In a bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved, then add cold water.
  2. If using fresh strawberries, mix them into the gelatin now.
  3. Slowly pour the gelatin mixture over the cake, letting it soak into the holes. Use a spoon to help distribute evenly.
  4. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour to set the gelatin.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake Layer

  1. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
  2. Add the sugar and vanilla, mixing well.
  3. Gradually add the heavy whipping cream and beat on high speed until thick and spreadable (like frosting).
  4. Spread the cheesecake mixture over the cooled, gelatin-soaked cake.
  5. Refrigerate again for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: Make the Whipped Cream Topping

  1. In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
  3. Gently spread or pipe the whipped cream over the cheesecake layer.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

  1. Top the cake with fresh strawberry slices, graham cracker crumbs, or even a drizzle of strawberry syrup for extra flair.
  2. Chill for an additional hour (overnight is even better!).
  3. Slice, serve, and enjoy the sweet symphony of textures and flavors.

📜 History & Formation

Poke cakes gained popularity in the U.S. during the 1970s, especially after being featured in Jell-O promotions. Their simple premise—poking holes into a cake and infusing it with moisture and flavor—made them an instant hit. Over the decades, creative bakers began combining poke cakes with other dessert inspirations, like cheesecake, tiramisu, and fruit trifles.

This Strawberry Cheesecake version is a modern evolution, marrying three favorites:

  • The soft fluffiness of traditional vanilla cake
  • The rich indulgence of cheesecake
  • The bright, summery essence of strawberries

It’s the kind of dessert that forms bonds, evokes nostalgia, and sparks new love stories—one slice at a time.

💘 A Cake for Lovers

Whether you’re baking for your partner, your best friend, your family, or just treating yourself—this cake is made for lovers. Lovers of cake. Lovers of fruit. Lovers of life.

The layers represent more than flavors:

  • The cake is your foundation.
  • The strawberry gelatin is passion.
  • The cheesecake layer is trust and comfort.
  • The whipped topping is lightness, joy, and laughter.

Bake it with love. Share it with joy.

🎯 Conclusion

The Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake is more than just dessert—it’s an experience. A sweet escape. A story in layers.

It’s proof that when you combine the right ingredients—both in baking and in life—you create something unforgettable.

So preheat that oven, gather your mixing bowls, and fall in love, one bite at a time. 🍓🍰✨

Would you like a printable version of this or maybe a fun design layout for a recipe card?

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