This may surprise you, but the standard, easy angel food cake recipe is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free to boot! It uses loads of egg whites for all of the moisture, so no milk, sour cream, or heavy cream is required! The topping however isn’t dairy free. But the family will love this light dessert with any fresh fruit you add. The topping is is the best part though with this secret ingredient. Decorate your cake in any fashion you wish. Something for all occasions. The recipe to make your own Gluten Free Angel Cake mix is here.
If you have never made an angel food cake before I have a few tips. The recipe calls to mix in a large metal pan. They mean it! Even though the directions call for you beat the batter only 1 1/2 minutes, the egg whites make this cake almost rise out of the bowl. Using a whip allows the air to fill the batter helping to make it light. So don’t use beaters.
Once ready for the oven you get another surprise. It will quickly rise over the pan a good 4 inches. But don’t worry since it will not overflow and soon settle back down to normal. I used a lasagna pan here to feed more than the normal rectangular size. If you use the rectangular pan just cut the topping in half. The baking time of 30-35 minutes will not change.
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce box angel food cake mix
- 1 3 ounce box strawberry Jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 3.3 ounce boxes white chocolate instant pudding
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 12 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 pound strawberries
- 1 pint blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Do not grease 9-inch by 13-inch pan.
- Cool completely, at least 1 hour. Using a fork, pierce cake in rows about 1/2-inch apart. When the fork becomes sticky, dip tines in water to clean (typically at the end of each row).
- Mix angel food cake mix according to package instructions (the one I used only required water). Pour into ungreased pan and bake until firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. If the center still jiggles, bake it 5 minutes longer.
- Pour Jello into a medium bowl and whisk in boiling water. When Jello is dissolved, stir in cold water. Drizzle over the entire surface of cake. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
- In a large bowl, or in a standing mixer fit with the whisk attachment, combine pudding and milk until well blended. Gently fold in whipped topping.
Notes
- This high-rising, flavorful cake is perfect topped with strawberries and whipped cream. It's so tender and light, no one will suspect it's gluten-free!
- For more patriotic holiday recipes check out this Patriotic
Nutrition
Adapted from Meggan at Culinary Hill. Please visit her blog for more delicious ideas! She decorated for the holiday! This is her cake, below.
Miz Helen
June 5, 2019 at 9:01 AMCongratulations your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week! Thanks so much for sharing it with us, we are pinning it to our special features board. Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Marilyn
June 5, 2019 at 4:03 PMThank you so much Miz Helen. I am honored to be on your menu! Enjoy your day.
Julie
June 4, 2019 at 8:18 PMThis is on my menu for 4th of July and thanks for the great tips on Angel Food Cake! I haven’t always been successful, so can’t wait to try again!
Marilyn
June 5, 2019 at 3:55 PMGlad I can help Julie. This is a favorite dessert in our home. And I can even enjoy it being diabetic! Have a great week!
jenny
June 2, 2019 at 6:00 PMAnother delicious dessert! I love patriotic themed desserts and anything with strawberries and cake. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Marilyn
June 2, 2019 at 7:28 PMThank you Jenny! This poke cake is so light and delicious. We all enjoy it during the summer. Enjoy your upcoming week!
Crissy
June 2, 2019 at 5:11 PMAnother great looking July 4th recipe, Marilyn! It must be a delicious experience to be in your household! 😉 Thanks for joining Tuesday Turn About!
Marilyn
June 2, 2019 at 7:10 PMThank you Crissy. I have enough differences in tastes in my home just like any other. And we are vastly different in dietray restrictions. My son and his family are vegetarians while I am a meat lover. My husband eats everything but much healthier than I do. Enjoy your upcoming week!
Jenna
May 30, 2019 at 9:57 AMThis sounds so good and perfect for the 4th! Thanks Marilyn!
Marilyn
May 30, 2019 at 2:05 PMYou are welcome Jenna. It is light and easy as well as colorful. Have an awesome day!
Amber Ferguson
June 30, 2018 at 3:08 PMMarilyn you sure do have the most delicious looking recipes! Due to severe autoimmune stomach issues my diet is limited to grass, twigs and berries…but a girl can reminisce! Thanks so much for linking up to the patriotic party. I hope you have a great holiday!
Marilyn
June 30, 2018 at 5:49 PMSorry to hear that. My husband as an autoimmune disease. It is multiple myeloma. He is neutropenic as well. His diet is also limited. It is hard to make foods he can have and the rest of us want to eat. I end up making two meals a lot of times. Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy your week!
Rogene Robbins
June 8, 2018 at 8:57 AMLove poke cake, but have never made it with an angel food cake. Bet it’s good.
Is there a particular angel food cake mix you use that is gluten free?
Marilyn
June 8, 2018 at 9:11 AMThanks for asking Rogene. There is a link above to the recipe for gluten free. I dont use a mix since this is easy and I am positive it doesn’t contain gluten. Here you go: https://www.marilynstreats.com/gluten-free-dairy-free-angel-food-cake/
Sherry Cole
June 4, 2018 at 3:07 PMHi Marilyn! I am featuring your Strawberry Jello Poke Cake at Totally Terrific Tuesday tonight! I can’t wait to make it! I also want to say thank you for linking your recipes with us!! Have a great week.
Marilyn
June 4, 2018 at 7:54 PMI am thrilled Sherry! I hope you enjoy it as much as we have. Thank you for the feature. Enjoy your day!
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
May 29, 2018 at 5:43 PMI’m all about a dessert covered in fresh berries!!!
Marilyn
May 30, 2018 at 1:43 PMThis one is delish!! And healthy. Have a great week!
Ann @ Live The Old Way
May 29, 2018 at 12:20 PMI haven’t thought about poke cakes in years! We used to have such a good time making those. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Homestead Blog Hop!
Marilyn
May 30, 2018 at 1:40 PMMy granddaughter loves making these too Ann. Have a great week!
Jann Olson
May 28, 2018 at 9:05 PMSo yummy, and perfect for summer! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Marilyn
May 28, 2018 at 9:16 PMThanks for letting me share Jann. Enjoy the week!
Miz Helen
May 27, 2018 at 10:55 AMI love your delicious Strawberry Jello Poke Cake! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Marilyn
May 27, 2018 at 11:09 AMThe angel food cake and fresh fruit is just perfect to take on a picnic. Have a great week.
indah nuria
May 27, 2018 at 5:48 AMThis looks like something I can easily try at home! Thank you for the recipe, Marylin. ANd thanks for sharing it with us at @OMHGWW 🙂
Marilyn
May 27, 2018 at 10:55 AMYou are very welcome Indah! Enjoy.
Jessica @ Overwhelmed to Fulfilled
May 25, 2018 at 7:38 AMI love the simplicity of this recipe. Plus strawberries and blueberries…they are such a good topping. Thanks for sharing with us at #LiveLifeWell.
Marilyn
May 25, 2018 at 9:45 PMThe angel food cake makes this recipe perfect. Enjoy your weekend.
Eveliina at confessionsofparenting
May 24, 2018 at 10:55 AMMy family loves poke cakes. I’ve made a similar one but not with an angel food cake mix before. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing.
Marilyn
May 24, 2018 at 7:44 PMI hope they all like it as much as we do! Enjoy.
Donna Reidland
May 24, 2018 at 10:27 AMI’ve always loved poked cakes. Such great summer desserts!
Marilyn
May 24, 2018 at 7:43 PMI think so too Donna. And the angel food cake makes it so light! Have a great week.
Chas
May 23, 2018 at 7:41 PMThis sounds delightful Marilyn! I am excited to give it a try, Pinned 🙂 Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Marilyn
May 23, 2018 at 9:13 PMThankl you Chas for the pin! And for the party so I can share my recipes. Enjoy your evening.
Debrashoppeno5
May 22, 2018 at 10:18 PMThis looks so yummy. The perfect dessert for summertime.
Marilyn
May 22, 2018 at 10:39 PMThank you Debra. It is so light and just hits the spot. Enjoy your week.
Claire
May 22, 2018 at 4:50 PMThis looks delicious Marilyn, I could just eat some 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Creative Mondays. Have a great week and we hope to see you soon!
Marilyn
May 22, 2018 at 10:38 PMThank you Claire and you are welcome. I love your party! Enjoy your week.
Morgan Prince
May 21, 2018 at 1:51 PMWow, this looks rather tasty! I’ll have to give it a go. Thanks!
#CreativeMondays
Marilyn
May 21, 2018 at 8:12 PMI hope you get to enjoy it Morgan! Enjoy your evening!
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies
May 21, 2018 at 4:15 AMThis looks so delicious – I’ve never made a poke cake – that needs to change! xx
Marilyn
May 21, 2018 at 8:11 PMIt is so easy. Just poke the holes and add anything. Even pudding works!! Enjoy your evening!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
May 20, 2018 at 11:34 AMI’ve never made a poke cake. I think I should try this one. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – have a great week.
Marilyn
May 20, 2018 at 6:25 PMThey are so easy. And stunningwhen you cut them. The jello makes the angel food cake very moist. Enjoy your evening.
Ivory
September 21, 2017 at 10:57 PMOMG, this looks amazingly good. Can’t wait to make this.
Marilyn
September 22, 2017 at 8:31 AMThank you Ivory. It is delicious. Enjoy!
Pam
July 29, 2017 at 9:52 AMThis looks like the perfect summer treat! Love how festive it looks as well! Thanks for linking up at Bloggy Brunch last month!
Marilyn
July 29, 2017 at 1:16 PMI am glad you like it Pam. Your kind words will keep me going. Have a blessed week.
Denise
July 12, 2017 at 6:23 PMLook delicious. Thanks for sharing it with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party.
Marilyn
July 12, 2017 at 8:20 PMThe only bad thing was it was gone in a flash!! Enjoy your week!
Kileen
July 11, 2017 at 5:24 PMOh, this looks delicious! Thank you for sharing at Ravenwould.
Marilyn
July 11, 2017 at 8:47 PMI am glad you like it! Enjoy a safe and fun week.
Amber Harrop
July 11, 2017 at 2:51 PMYou had me at Gluten free and it looks divine Marilyn
Marilyn
July 11, 2017 at 3:00 PMThis is one I am making all summer for pot lucks. Easy and everyone loves it! Enjoy your week.
clairejustine
July 9, 2017 at 9:27 AMThis looks delicious 🙂 Yummy, perfect for Summer 🙂 Thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:40 PMYou are welcome. Have a great week!
Jen
July 8, 2017 at 8:56 PMOh my goodness! Yum! Pinning this recipe right now 🙂
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:39 PMThank you for the pin. Have a great week!
Miz Helen
July 8, 2017 at 9:36 AMThere is really nothing better than a great Poke Cake! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday, it is great to see you here.
Miz Helen
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:38 PMThank you Miz Helen. Have a great week!
[email protected]
July 7, 2017 at 2:59 PMThis poke cake looks delicious. I love strawberries and blueberries so this recipe is tailor-made for me. Thank you for sharing your recipe at Snickerdoodle.
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:38 PMYou are welcome. Have a great week!
jodie filogomo
July 7, 2017 at 12:06 PMPerfect for the summer!!
Thanks!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
#fdflinkparty
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:37 PMThanks Jodie. Have a great week!
Michelle
July 7, 2017 at 11:26 AMThat sounds soooooooo incredibly delicious Marilyn. I never knew that angel food cake was dairy-free and gluten-free. That’s good to know
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:37 PMI loved it just because of the healthy side! Have a great week!
Chryssy
July 7, 2017 at 1:55 AMI love recipes that include fresh fruit! Nature’s dessert! Next time I need a summer dessert, I’ll have to come back to this! #bloggybrunch
Marilyn
July 9, 2017 at 9:37 PMThis is naturally sweet and healthy too! Have a great week!
Leslie
July 6, 2017 at 8:21 AMMmmm! I love angel food cake, and this looks like a delicious way to serve it up. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Marilyn
July 6, 2017 at 3:51 PMThis one reminded me of strawberry shortcake but a step up! I hope you get to try it. Makes a fast dish with a great presentation! Enjoy.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
July 5, 2017 at 11:05 PMBeautiful berries!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Marilyn
July 6, 2017 at 12:40 AMThank you Heleln. Enjoy your week.
Elise Cohen Ho
July 5, 2017 at 11:36 AMIs it bad if I just want to steal all the fruit from the top?
Marilyn
July 5, 2017 at 5:14 PMNot at all. I love fruit especially when someone else cuts it up!! Enjoy your week Elise.
Sandra L Garth
July 4, 2017 at 4:06 PMI attempted to make something similar to this but just used graham crackers and whipped cream along with strawberries. It didn’t have nearly enough body. I should have tried your recipe. Thank you for joining us again this week at Celebrate Your Story. I hope your week and holiday are going great!
Marilyn
July 4, 2017 at 4:19 PMIt sounds good though! This one hasn’t failed me yet! Enjoy the 4th.
shelley
July 3, 2017 at 8:16 PMThat makes a really pretty cake with the strawberries and blueberries on top. Those happen to be my favorites too which would make this a real hit at my house.
Marilyn
July 3, 2017 at 9:36 PMThank you Shelley. I had to make this cake THREE times this week for parties. I still love it! Have a great holiday!
Lanae Bond
July 3, 2017 at 10:51 AMLooks delicious! I love making poke cakes because it adds more flavor to a cake!
Marilyn
July 3, 2017 at 11:17 AMAngel food cakes are often chewy, but the jello makes it so moist. Reminds me of strawberry shortcake! Have a great week!
Cathy Lawdanski
July 3, 2017 at 7:39 AMThis is my kind of cake! Perfect for summer
Marilyn
July 3, 2017 at 11:12 AMIt is a good one and very light. Have a great week!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
July 3, 2017 at 2:32 AMYum! I love this, too! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Have you joined Fiesta Friday? If not, I hope you could join us as well. (http://fiestafriday.net/)
Marilyn
July 3, 2017 at 11:09 AMI need to check that out! I haven’t come across it. Will bookmark it now and see you Friday!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
July 4, 2017 at 12:58 AMYay! That’s good to hear, Marilyn. By the way, here is my blog if you want to check it out. I gave you the Angie’s blog (our Fiesta Friday host) and I forgot to give mine. It’s https://thenotsocreativecook.wordpress.com/
Stay safe,
Jhuls
Marilyn
July 4, 2017 at 1:00 PMI like your food! Those brownies look delicious. I followed you on FB, but couldnt comment on the blog. I didn’t see comments turned on.
Leslie Clingan
July 3, 2017 at 12:13 AMMy sweet daddy’s fav was an angel food cake. A man with simple taste. This recipe looks so refreshing for hot summer days. Hadn’t thought about angel food being gluten-free. A bonus!
Marilyn
July 3, 2017 at 11:08 AMThis ios such an easy recipe and so healthy I love to take it to BBQ’s. your dad sounds like a wonderful guy!! Have a great week!
Mother of 3
July 2, 2017 at 6:50 PMSounds yummy; I love the addition of the pudding.
Marilyn
July 2, 2017 at 7:01 PMIt actually gives substance to the whipped cream with just a hint of added flavor. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Rhonda
July 1, 2017 at 8:14 PMThis looks delicious and the berries refreshing. It’s berry season, fresh berries would be perfect. I’m not much of a baker, but I’m going to try this.
Marilyn
July 2, 2017 at 10:42 AMThis is so simple. If you can make a cake and boil water you will do fine!!
Gentle Joy Homemaker
July 1, 2017 at 12:03 PMThis does look good… and very pretty for this time of the year. 🙂
Marilyn
July 2, 2017 at 10:41 AMI made this twice this week and everyone loved it. It is so light that it makes a perfect dessert.
Barbara
June 30, 2017 at 5:01 PMI love poke cakes and angel food cakes too. This looks really good. I will pin it with plans to make it over the summer.
Marilyn
June 30, 2017 at 7:45 PMThanks for the pin Barbara. It is a great dessert without much trouble. Have a good week!
Emmi @ emmiscookinside.blog
June 30, 2017 at 11:04 AMOh my god! This looks so delicious! 😉 I like the recipe and it seems quite easy to make for me…;-) You know, I’m not a great baker 😉 So I’ll give it a try!
Thank you for this delicious inspiration!
– Emmi
Marilyn
June 30, 2017 at 1:40 PMI am actually making this again tomorrow for another get together. Everyone remarked how light and delicious it was. And the dieters in the group even took seconds! Enjoy your week, Emmi.