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A slice of strawberry cheesecake poke cake garnished with fresh strawberries on a white plate next to a fork.

Strawberry Cheesecake Poke Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 23 reviews
  • Author: Julianne Dell
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 15 slices
  • Category: Cake
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This irresistible strawberry cheesecake poke cake is a soft, moist vanilla sheet cake soaked in creamy strawberry filling and smothered with tangy cream cheese frosting.


Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups (380g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) vanilla extract
  • ½ cup(120g) sour cream, at room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 3 teaspoons (11.2 g) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) milk (any type), at room temperature
  • 114-ounce can Sweetened condensed milk

For the Strawberry Sauce

  • 1 lb Strawberries (16 oz), rinsed
  • ¼ cup (48g)  sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (8g) all-purpose flour (or cornstrach)
  • ¼ cup (59ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice

For the topping

  • 8 ounces (226g) full-fat cream cheese, cold
  • 1 3/4 cups (413ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup (130g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

For the Cake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan. 
  2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the sour cream and beat until well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients and sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add half the dry ingredients and half the milk, and beat on low speed just until the flour starts to incorporate. Repeat until all ingredients are added and combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes. Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 30 minutes.
  5. Once the cake has cooled a bit but is still warm, take the end of a wooden spoon or another round object and poke holes all over the top of your cake. Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk all over top of the cake and spread gently. Allow the milk to soak into the cake.

For the strawberry sauce:

  1. Rinse the strawberries and chop them into quarters and again in half.
  2. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine strawberries with the flour and sugar, and toss to combine. Add the water and lemon juice; stir well.
  3. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture starts to boil and the strawberries are softened. Gently smash strawberries to create a sauce. Once boiling, continue cooking for about 10 minutes to thicken. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Pour the strawberry sauce over the top of the cake and leave at room temperature or refrigerate until the cake and topping are completely cooled.

For the topping:

  1. Cut the cream cheese into 1-inch cubes and, using a stand mixer, beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until cream cheese is smooth and free of lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Slowly add in one cup of heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup at a time, and continue beating until the cream cheese resembles a liquid mixture.
  2. Continue to add the remaining heavy whipping cream and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
  3. Finally, add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over cooled cake


Notes

  • Cake mix. Swap out the homemade cake with a boxed cake mix if desired

Preparation and Storage

 

  • Make it ahead. You can bake, poke, and fill this strawberry cheesecake poke cake up to 2 days in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. I recommend adding the whipped cream cheese topping only when you’re ready to serve.
  • Refrigerate leftovers. This poke cake lasts in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store leftovers wrapped or covered airtight.
  • Freeze. I don’t recommend freezing the frosted poke cake. Instead, bake the cake, add the filling, allow it to cool, and then wrap the poke cake tightly in plastic wrap. Thaw the cake at room temperature and then add the whipped topping.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 504
  • Sugar: 53.5g
  • Sodium: 305.5mg
  • Fat: 24.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 15.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 66.1g
  • Fiber: 0.6g
  • Protein: 6.8g
  • Cholesterol: 82.7mg