I remember the first time my mom made “poke cake” back in the 70’s. I don’t remember if she called it that but it was such a unique idea to poke holes in a completed sheet cake with the handle of a wooden spoon and then pour jello into the holes for a fun look and flavor. She usually made a cream cheese frosting and then a thick raspberry glaze to go on top of that. It was a family-party favorite.
I wanted to make an updated version of this cake, just in time for the Fourth of July. I eliminated the jello in this recipe, making strawberry and blueberry syrups.The flavors created by using fresh fruits are pure, sweet and delicious.
This cake is so moist thanks to the fruit syrup. Also, the made-from-scratch white cake recipe is a nice go-to base.
Let me talk about the frosting. You may not be impressed to know it’s basically just sweetened whipped cream but when you spread this over the finished cake and let it set in the fridge overnight, this combination melts in your mouth, pure and simple.
The recipe can appear like a lot of work, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, the cake itself can be made up to two days in advance of serving and the instructions place close attention to detail for your assured success.
Whether you make this into a patriotic poke cake or if you decide not to call it poke cake at all (because as you can see, sometimes the pokes will look more like floods), try this for your next get-together. I would make it only for a large gathering because you DO NOT want to be left alone in the house with leftovers of this cake. It’s just too irresistible.
Poke Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting - and no artificial colors
Ingredients
- White Cake
- 1 cup whole milk at room temperature
- 6 large egg whites at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups 9 oz cake flour
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 12 pieces – softened but still cool
Blueberry and Strawberry Syrups
- 1 cup blueberries
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries hulled
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- Whipped Cream Frosting
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- To make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray with flour.
- In a large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, egg whites and vanilla. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low briefly to combine. With the mixer still on low, add the butter, a few pieces at a time, and continue beating until the pieces of butter are about the size of peas.
- Add all but 1/2 cup of the milk mixture to the mixer and beat on medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes. The batter should be smooth. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk mixture and beat for an additional 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat for 20 seconds longer on medium.
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Use an offset spatula to spread into an even layer. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans.
- Meanwhile, make the blueberry and strawberry syrups. To make the blueberry syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, water, and sugar. Set the pan over medium-low heat, cover, and cook until the blueberries are softened – about 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye, it can boil over quickly if you turn your back. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl. Discard the solids. Whisk the gelatin into the liquid until dissolved. Let cool for at least 15 minutes. To make the strawberry syrup: Repeat the exact same process (combine ingredients, cook and strain) then whisk in the gelatin and again, let cool for at least 15 minutes.
- When the cakes are cool, use a wood skewer to poke 25 holes in the top of each cake. You want holes all over the cakes but try not to poke all the way down if you can help it. (A few of my "pokes" always get to the bottom. No problem.) Slowly pour the blueberry syrup over the top of one cake, and the strawberry syrup over the top of the other. Cover both cake pans with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the gelatin is set, at least 3 hours, or up to 1 day.
- Right before you’re ready to assemble, make the whipped cream: Combine the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and increasing the speed to medium-high, beat until the whipped cream holds stiff peaks.
- Turn both cakes out of the pans (you may need to run a thin knife along the edges to loosen it. If it's stubborn, set the pan in warm water up to 1 minute). Place the blueberry cake, right side up, on your serving plate. Spread 1 cup of whipped cream over the cake, then place the strawberry cake on top (again, right side up). Use the remaining whipped cream to cover the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with blueberries and strawberries, if desired. Store the cake in the refrigerator. This can be served the day of assembly or even the following day. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe adapted from Cook’s Country.
Hi Sally, So I made it, I must have let the strawberry and blueberry syrup set on the counter maybe for an hour while the cake cooled. I noticed it was already starting to get thick. I didn’t think it would do that until you refrigerate it. So I poured it on anyway, It didn’t really soak in too much only in a few holes here and there. I should have made my holes bigger too. The sauce really thickens up. If I did it again I would try to maybe use 1/2 of the pk of gelatin. A whole rubbery layer stayed on top of the blueberry cake and peeled off with the wrap. The gelatin in the cake itself to me tasted too rubbery. I did add the unflav. gelatin to my whipped cream as I always do then I’m sure it won’t deflate. It wasn’t my best, I’d have to say but I needed a natural flavored cake for the party as one of the children has allergies to colorings. I love your recipes and will continue to follow!
Hi Susan, I’m so sorry to hear you had this trouble with the cake. As you can see by my photos, my sauce wasn’t too thick at all or it wouldn’t have soaked all the way through like it did. I’ve made the cake several times and not had the gelatin stay on top of the cake. Thanks for your feedback and again, I’m sorry you had trouble.
I’m curious about the whipped cream. I usually add unflavored gelatin to whipped cream to “hold” it for a few days. Did you ever try this. Does the whipped cream deflate.
Hi Susan, the whipped cream frosting doesn’t deflate be we’ve never had the cake last beyond a day or two. Feel free to add some gelatin to the cream if you like. Great idea!
The cake looks delicious! Just to clarify, is it one package gelatin each for the blueberry and strawberry syrup? Also, have you tried pulsing the fruit solids to make a jam?
Hi Trisha, Sorry for the late reply but I had to research my notes on this recipe. It is actually one envelope of gelatin for blueberry and one for strawberry, I went in and made the clarification. I’ve never pulsed the fruit to jam because it breaks down so much upon cooking that it wasn’t necessary. But you certainly could do that and it would be successful. Thanks so much for your question. Let me know if you make that cake and what you think of it.