Print

Summer Berry Poke Cake

A perfectly sliced square of Summer Berry Poke Cake on a white plate, revealing a beautiful red white and blue dessert with vibrant berry sauce stripes hidden inside the moist cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box: water, oil, eggs)

For the Red Sauce:

  • 1 ½ cups diced strawberries (divided)

  • 1 ½ cups raspberries (divided)

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder (dissolved in 2 tablespoons water)

For the Blue Sauce:

  • 2 ½ cups blueberries (divided)

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder (dissolved in 2 tablespoons water)

For the Topping:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (divided)

  • Fresh berries for garnish

Instructions

  • Bake Cake: Prepare and bake the white cake mix in a greased 9×13-inch pan according to package directions. Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake.

  • Bloom Gelatin: In two small bowls, mix 2 teaspoons of gelatin with 2 tablespoons of water in each. Set aside to bloom.

  • Make Red Sauce: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup raspberries, ½ cup sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp water. Simmer for 5-8 minutes until soft. Mash with a potato masher. Stir in one bowl of bloomed gelatin and the remaining ½ cup of diced strawberries and ½ cup raspberries. Stir until gelatin melts. Let cool until slightly thickened.

  • Make Blue Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine 1 ½ cups blueberries, ½ cup sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp water. Simmer until soft. Mash the berries. Stir in the second bowl of bloomed gelatin and the remaining 1 cup of blueberries. Stir until gelatin melts. Let cool until slightly thickened.

  • Fill Holes: Alternate pouring the cooled red and blue sauces into the poked holes of the cake. Use a spoon to gently press the fruit down. Place the cake in the fridge to set.

  • Make Topping: Beat the softened cream cheese with ½ cup of powdered sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, vanilla, and remaining ½ cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.

  • Assemble: Gently fold 2 cups of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Spread this evenly over the chilled cake. Use the remaining whipped cream to pipe swirls on top.

  • Chill & Serve: Garnish with fresh berries. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before slicing and serving!