Description
Strawberry poke cake celebrates summer’s sweetest harvest with layers of moist vanilla cake infused with strawberry gelatin. Creamy whipped topping and fresh strawberries complete this irresistible dessert you won’t be able to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) strawberries
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) buttermilk
- 1 (3 oz/85 g) box strawberry gelatin
- 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp fine salt
- 3 tbsps (45 g) sugar
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream, cold
- 1 tbsp (15 g) sugar
Instructions
- Prep Station: Position the oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
- Liquid Harmony: Blend buttermilk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, creating a smooth, flavor-enhancing liquid mixture.
- Butter Transformation: Cream sugar and softened butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to develop a uniform batter.
- Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture into the butter base, alternating between the two. Mix until just combined to maintain the cake’s delicate texture.
- Baking Performance: Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Cooling and Perforation: Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then meticulously pierce the entire surface with a fork, creating channels for gelatin absorption.
- Gelatin Infusion: Dissolve strawberry gelatin powder in boiling water, then add cold water. Slowly pour the mixture over the cake, ensuring complete and even penetration.
- Chilling Phase: Refrigerate for 2 hours, allowing the gelatin to set and deeply flavor the cake.
- Creamy Finale: Whip heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread the ethereal whipped cream over the chilled cake, creating a smooth canvas.
- Presentation: Adorn with freshly sweetened strawberries moments before serving, adding a burst of color and fresh fruity essence.
Notes
- Precise Butter Coating: Generously grease the pan to prevent cake sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Leavening Agent Mixing: Thoroughly whisk dry ingredients to distribute baking powder and soda evenly for consistent cake rise.
- Gentle Batter Technique: Fold ingredients carefully to avoid overmixing, which creates a dense, tough cake texture.
- Gelatin Penetration Trick: Use a fork to create deep holes, allowing strawberry gelatin to fully saturate the cake for maximum flavor infusion.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 66 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg