Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake

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Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert — soft, moist strawberry cake soaked with luscious cheesecake pudding and topped with fluffy whipped cream and juicy fresh strawberries. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast at every gathering, picnic, or family dinner. The flavors blend into a dreamy mix of sweet berries, creamy cheesecake, and tender cake that melts in your mouth. 😍

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Cake:

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 1 box (3.4 oz) instant cheesecake pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk

For the Topping:

  • 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • ½ cup strawberry syrup or topping (optional, for drizzle)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and fully blended (about 2 minutes with a hand mixer).

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The kitchen will smell like pure strawberry heaven!

Step 2: Poke and Fill

Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke evenly spaced holes all over the warm cake — be generous, as these holes will hold all the creamy cheesecake filling.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant cheesecake pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until thickened. Pour the pudding mixture evenly over the cake, gently spreading it so it seeps into the holes. Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let the flavors soak in and the cake set beautifully.

Step 3: Add the Whipped Topping

Once the cake has chilled, spread the whipped topping smoothly across the entire surface. For an extra touch of elegance, use a piping bag to swirl it decoratively, or simply spread it in fluffy peaks using a spatula.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Top your cake with sliced fresh strawberries for that irresistible look and juicy flavor. Drizzle with a little strawberry syrup or glaze for an extra punch of sweetness and shine. You can even sprinkle crushed graham crackers for a cheesecake-style finish!

Tips for Success 🍰

  • Use cold milk when mixing the pudding to ensure it sets properly and creates that creamy cheesecake texture.
  • Poke deep holes — not just shallow ones! You want the filling to reach all the way through for maximum flavor in every bite.
  • Chill thoroughly before serving. This cake tastes best after a few hours in the fridge when everything has melded together.
  • Don’t skip the topping! Whipped cream balances the sweetness and gives the cake its classic light finish.

Variations You’ll Love 💕

  • Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake: Swap the strawberry cake mix for chocolate and keep the cheesecake filling — a decadent chocolate-covered strawberry twist!
  • Lemon Berry Cheesecake Poke Cake: Use lemon cake mix instead of strawberry and top with a mix of blueberries and raspberries for a bright, zesty flavor.
  • Oreo Strawberry Version: Sprinkle crushed Oreos on top of the whipped cream for a cookies-and-cream surprise.
  • Homemade Touch: Make a simple strawberry reduction (fresh strawberries + sugar + lemon juice) instead of syrup for a more natural topping.

Serving Suggestions 🍓

This Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake is ideal for spring and summer events — think picnics, birthdays, baby showers, or Valentine’s Day. Serve it chilled for a refreshing, creamy treat that pairs beautifully with iced tea, lemonade, or coffee. You can even top it with extra fruit like blueberries or raspberries for a colorful dessert table centerpiece.

To serve clean slices, dip your knife in hot water before each cut. This helps the pudding layer stay neat and smooth.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This cake actually gets even better after the first day as the flavors continue to blend together. Avoid freezing — the pudding layer and whipped topping don’t freeze well.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe ❤️

This cake is everything you want in a dessert — simple, light, creamy, and full of flavor. The combination of strawberry cake, cheesecake pudding, and whipped cream makes it taste like something straight out of a bakery, but it’s easy enough for anyone to make at home. Each bite delivers that irresistible mix of fluffy cake, creamy filling, and fruity sweetness — it’s pure happiness on a plate.

Whether you’re a beginner baker or just short on time, this Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake guarantees success. You can make it ahead for parties, and everyone will ask for the recipe. It’s a perfect reminder that sometimes the easiest desserts are also the most unforgettable. 🍰💖

Final Touch

Drizzle with extra strawberry syrup right before serving, garnish with a whole berry on top of each slice, and enjoy a dessert that tastes like a sweet summer dream — soft, creamy, fruity, and totally irresistible!

Save this recipe — because once you try it, it’s going to be your go-to dessert for every special occasion! 🍓✨

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