This Strawberry Poke Cake with sweetened condensed milk is moist and delicious and bursting with strawberries and cream flavor. The bright pink color and shredded coconut make it the perfect spring dessert.
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Strawberry cake is a classic dessert that many people love. It's a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and there are many different ways to make it.
One delicious way to enjoy a strawberry cake is to bake a strawberry cake mix. Then add sweetened condensed milk, and top it with whipped cream and coconut. This process makes it very similar to a strawberry tres leches cake.
This recipe is actually just a slight variation of this chocolate coconut cake. That one is loaded with chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and coconut and cream.
Why You Will Love this Strawberry Cake
- Easy to make. Using a strawberry cake mix and a few extra store bought ingredients keeps the prep time to a minimum.
- Delicious to Eat - This cake takes on a strawberries and cream flavor with the flavored cake mix, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream.
- Crowd Favorite - Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a party, or just want a sweet treat, this strawberry poke cake is a crowd-pleaser.
Strawberry poke cake with sweetened condensed milk is the perfect spring or summer dessert. Serve it for Easter dinner or family potlucks and barbecues and watch it disappear.
What is a poke cake?
A poke cake is a baked cake that has been poked all over with a fork or a wooden spoon handle while it is still hot. Then liquids like Jello, pudding, or sweetened condensed milk are poured over the cake creating a very moist and delicious cake.
Ingredients
This strawberry poke cake without Jello is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients from the store.
- Strawberry Cake Mix - Feel free to use your favorite brand. Substitute milk for the liquid that the box mix calls for.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk - You will need one full can. Make sure you do not buy evaporated milk as they are two very different things.
- Cream of Coconut - Has a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor that adds a tropical twist to this dessert.
- Cool Whip - Adds a fluffy sweet layer to the top of the moist cake. Thaw it in the refrigerator ahead of time or make a double batch of this homemade whipped topping.
- Topping - A sprinkle of sweetened shredded coconut and fresh strawberries adds a delicious and pretty finish to the strawberry cake.
Poke Cake Variations
- Use various milks such as sweetened condensed milk or coconut milk like this chocolate caramel poke cake,
- Use pudding like white chocolate berry pudding cake or this amazing s'mores pudding cake.
- Use Jello like this orange creamsicle cake or this raspberry jello cake.
How to make a Strawberry Coconut Poke Cake
Get ready to make this strawberry refrigerator cake recipe with sweetened condensed milk in a few simple steps. The hardest part is waiting for the poke cake to chill, so you can dig in!
- Bake the cake. Mix together the dry cake mix along with the ingredients on the back of the box, substituting milk for the water. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake.
- Poke the holes. When the cake is done, let it cool 5 minutes on the counter. Then use a dinner fork to poke lots of holes all over the cake.
- Pour on the milk mixture. Stir together a full can of sweetened condensed milk and cream of coconut. Slowly drizzle it over the holes in the cake. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate a few hours until chilled.
- Decorate and serve. Spread thawed Cool Whip on top of the chilled cake and top with shredded coconut.
BruCrew Tip: Add toasted coconut to the top for a delicious and crunchy topping.
Storage Recommendations
In the Refrigerator - Keep the cooled and frosted cake in a tightly covered pan in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
In the Freezer - You can freeze a poke cake, but it's important to follow some guidelines to ensure that the cake retains its quality and texture.
- Let the cake cool completely before freezing. Do not add the whipped topping or coconut. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and to keep the cake fresh.
- Thaw the cake slowly. When you're ready to serve the cake, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing the cake at room temperature as this can cause it to become soggy.
- Add any toppings or garnishes after thawing. This will help to ensure that the toppings are fresh and don't become soggy.
Tips and Tricks
- Poke the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven and then pour the milk mixture on top of it. The warm cake will soak the milk up easier.
- Let the cake cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This will allow the milk to settle into the holes before it chills.
- Don't like coconut? Use a jar of strawberry topping instead of the cream of coconut like we did in this strawberry cheesecake poke cake for a delicious strawberry flavor.
FAQ
Once the cake has cooled completely, use a fork, a skewer, or the end of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over the cake. Space the holes about 1 inch apart and make sure to poke all the way to the bottom of the cake.
It is called a poke cake because it is "poked" full of holes so that liquid can be poured into it.
Yes, you can freeze the poke cake. For best results, freeze before adding the whipped topping and coconut.
Yes, you can make a poke cake in advance. In fact, poke cake is a great make-ahead dessert because the flavors will have more time to meld together. Simply store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it.
Any kind of cake can be used for a poke cake, but it's best to use a simple cake recipe without frosting or toppings. A plain vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate cake works well, but you can also experiment with different flavors and add-ins.
More Easy Strawberry Desserts
- Strawberry Fluff Salad
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
- Strawberry Pretzel Pie
- Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle
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Recipe
Strawberry Poke Cake
This Strawberry Poke Cake with sweetened condensed milk is moist and delicious and bursting with strawberries and cream flavor. The bright pink color and shredded coconut make it the perfect spring dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 strawberry cake mix
- 2 tablespoons strawberry Nesquik powder (optional)
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 - 15 ounce can cream of coconut
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Mix the cake according to the package directions, substituting regular milk for the water. Add the strawberry powder to the dry cake mix as well. Bake in prepared pan for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the cake and use a dinner fork to poke holes all over the top of the hot cake.
- Place the can of cream of coconut in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
- Open the cream of coconut and the sweetened condensed milk and mix them together in a bowl. Slowly drizzle spoonfuls of the milk mixture over the top of the poked cake.
- Use the back of the spoon to smooth it into the holes, if needed. Cool on counter for 1-2 hours, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
- Cover the cake with Cool Whip and sprinkle the top with coconut. Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 237Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 79mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for strawberry coconut poke cake was first published February 2016. It was updated and republished March 2023.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Yay for his first job - I think that is so awesome that you are both teaching your son responsibility outside the home 🙂
And I love this cake! I've always wanted to try making a poke cake and can't think of a better combo than strawberry and coconut. It looks incredible, Jocelyn! Love the pretty color 🙂
Jocelyn
It has been good to see his new found perspective on working. LOL! Add poke cakes to your baking list...they are so good!!!
Mir
I would love to work in my PJs. But then my students might not respect me so much. It's not fair, because they're wearing PJs in my class!
This is an incredible cake. I love how it's tres leches AND poke. That's quite a cake mashup!
Jocelyn
Working in your pj's is kind of overrated...I feel so much more productive when I get dressed and showered early in the day!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I think it is awesome that your son is working! I got my first job when I was 14 because I knew that if I wanted a car, I would have to buy it. I bought my first car at the age of 16 with my own money. It was a super old saab but that thing took me through my two years of high school! Also this cake, drooling.
Jocelyn
Learning responsibility at a young age is awesome!!! My hubby is a huge fan of old Saab's...we have 2 in our driveway!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
This poke cake looks unreal- and strawberry and coconut together definitely sound like a winning combo 🙂
Jocelyn
I'm pretty much a big fan of coconut added to anything!! But then my kids don't eat it, so...it's not always a good idea. LOL!
Heather @ Boston Girl Bakes
Oh man I've been wanting to try and make a poke cake now for awhile! And I have a can of cream of coconut sitting in my pantry that I had no idea of what to use it for! Thanks for the inspiration..beautiful cake too!
Jocelyn
Get on the poke cake train...you will never want to get off 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
I love that he thinks your job is easy!!! But, YAY for teenage workers!! You're teaching him the right lessons 🙂 And this cake, you know how i feel about coconut...and strawberry...and poke cakes!
Jocelyn
I know, right? Our job is crazy hard! LOL! He definitely had an eye opening experience about work though! It's been good!