Are you ready to dive into a world of fruity, creamy goodness? Today, we’re going to explore a delightful dessert that’s perfect for any summer gathering – the Berrylicious Poke Cake. This recipe combines the lightness of a white cake with a burst of berry flavors, topped with a luscious cheesecake filling. It’s not just a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for your eyes!
Table of contents
Summer berry Poke Cake recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
For the Strawberry and Raspberry Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups diced strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups raspberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons gelatin powder (dissolved in 2 Tablespoons water)
For the Blueberry Sauce:
- 2 1/2 cups blueberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons gelatin powder (dissolved in 2 Tablespoons water)
For the Cheesecake Filling and Topping:
- 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Fresh berries for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Bake the Cake: Start by preparing the white cake according to the package directions. Bake it in a 9 x 13-inch dish. Once baked, let it cool slightly. Then, using a wooden spoon’s handle, poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Gelatin: In two small bowls, dissolve 2 teaspoons of gelatin in 2 tablespoons of water each. Let them bloom.
3. Make the Red Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of strawberries, 1 cup of raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Simmer until the fruits soften (about 5-8 minutes), stirring frequently. Mash the berries with a potato masher, add the dissolved gelatin, and the remaining diced strawberries and raspberries. Stir over medium heat until the gelatin melts completely. Set aside to cool.
4. Make the Blueberry Sauce: Follow a similar process for the blueberry sauce. Use 1 ½ cups of blueberries with the same amount of sugar, lemon juice, and water. After mashing and adding the gelatin, include the remaining blueberries. Let it cool.
5. Assemble the Cake: Once the sauces have cooled and thickened slightly, spoon them over the cake, filling the holes alternately with the red and blue sauce. Try to get as much sauce as possible into the holes and spread the rest on top. Refrigerate the cake to set the sauce.
6. Prepare the Topping: Beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup powdered sugar. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream with vanilla and the remaining powdered sugar until firm peaks form. Divide the whipped cream in half. Mix one half with the cream cheese mixture and spread it over the cake. Use the remaining whipped cream to create swirls on top with a piping bag or simply spread it with a spoon.
7. Final Touches: Refrigerate the cake until you’re ready to serve. Garnish with fresh berries for an extra burst of freshness and color.
Serving and Enjoyment
This Berrylicious Poke Cake is best served chilled. It’s a perfect dessert for summer picnics, barbecues, or any occasion where you want to impress with something sweet, refreshing, and visually appealing. The combination of berries and creamy cheesecake filling is sure to win over your guests!
Remember, the key to a perfect poke cake is patience – let the sauces and the topping set properly in the fridge. This ensures each bite is infused with the delightful flavors of the berries and the creamy texture of the cheesecake filling.
Enjoy this delightful summer treat, and don’t forget to share your experience! Happy baking! ????????????
Summer berry Poke Cake FAQS
Poke Cake gets its name from the unique method involved in its preparation. After baking, the cake is literally “poked,” creating holes throughout its surface. These holes are then filled with various fillings such as jellies, pureed fruit, chocolate, or sweetened condensed milk. This process not only infuses the cake with extra flavor and moisture but also gives it a distinctive, fun texture. The act of poking holes and filling them is what makes this cake stand out and hence the name “Poke Cake.”
A Mary Jane Cake is a bit more obscure and not as commonly known as other cakes. It’s not a standard term in the culinary world and might refer to different things depending on the region or the baker. In some cases, it could be a cake that incorporates Mary Jane candies (a type of peanut butter and molasses taffy candy). In other instances, it might be a colloquial or regional name for a specific type of cake. Without more context, it’s challenging to provide a precise definition.
he primary difference between a poke cake and a regular cake lies in the preparation method and the resulting texture and flavor.
Preparation Method: A regular cake is simply baked and then frosted or decorated. A poke cake, on the other hand, involves an additional step where holes are poked into the baked cake and then filled with a liquid or semi-liquid filling like condensed milk, pureed fruit, or custard.
Texture: Poke cakes tend to be moister than regular cakes due to the fillings that seep into the holes. This results in a unique texture that’s both rich and moist.
Flavor: The fillings used in poke cakes significantly enhance their flavor, making them richer and more varied in taste compared to regular cakes. Each bite of a poke cake can offer a burst of the filling’s flavor, intertwined with the cake’s base flavor.
Presentation: Regular cakes often rely on external decoration, while poke cakes have an internal element of surprise with their fillings, which may or may not be visible from the outside.