Southern Strawberry Punch Cake
Southern Strawberry Punch Cake is a moist, tender yellow cake soaked in a luscious strawberry gelatin and punch glaze, delivering a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and classic Southern comfort. Ideal for gatherings or casual treats, this dessert is easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and fresh strawberries, offering a nostalgic and irresistible flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 to 15 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Contains gluten (use gluten-free cake mix for gluten-free option)
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 package strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups chilled strawberry punch drink
- 1 to 2 cups fresh ripe strawberries, sliced
- Optional: whipped topping or whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven according to the yellow cake mix package instructions. Prepare the batter and pour it into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Dissolve the Gelatin: While the cake bakes, dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir thoroughly until completely blended to create the punch soak.
- Add the Strawberry Punch: Stir the chilled strawberry punch drink into the dissolved gelatin mixture. Let it cool slightly but remain liquid. Then immediately pour the glaze evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak deeply into the layers.
- Cool and Chill: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled. This step allows the glaze to set and enhances the cake’s moistness and flavor.
- Add Whipped Topping: Before serving, spread a generous layer of whipped topping or whipped cream over the chilled cake for a creamy contrast that balances the fruity punch.
Notes
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t skip chilling; it improves glaze absorption and moistness.
- Pour the gelatin punch mixture while the cake is warm for deeper soaking.
- Experiment with different fruit punch flavors like raspberry or mixed berry for variety.
- Cut smaller slices as the cake is rich and moist, making smaller portions more satisfying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Southern Strawberry Punch Cake, strawberry cake, punch cake, moist cake, dessert, southern dessert, strawberry gelatin cake, easy cake recipe
Find it online: https://marysplate.com/southern-strawberry-punch-cake/