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Creamy Strawberry Custard Poke Cake

strawberry custard poke cake - featured image
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This easy summer dessert features a tender vanilla cake soaked with homemade strawberry custard and topped with fluffy whipped cream. It’s a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box vanilla cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp cream cheese, softened (optional, for stabilizing)
  • Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1 cup milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
  3. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Let cake cool in pan for 15 minutes.
  5. While cake bakes, puree 2 cups strawberries with 2 Tbsp water in a blender or food processor.
  6. Transfer puree to a saucepan, add 1/4 cup sugar, and simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Let cool.
  7. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add 2 cups milk and egg yolks, whisking until blended.
  8. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbling (about 7-8 minutes).
  9. Remove from heat, whisk in vanilla bean paste and 2 Tbsp butter until smooth.
  10. Fold in cooled strawberry puree (reserve 2 Tbsp for swirls if desired).
  11. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cooled cake, about 1 inch apart.
  12. Pour warm strawberry custard evenly over cake, using a spatula to help it seep into holes. Swirl reserved puree on top if desired.
  13. Cool cake to room temperature, cover, and chill for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
  14. In a cold mixing bowl, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
  15. Add softened cream cheese and whip until stiff peaks form.
  16. Pipe or spoon whipped cream swirls over chilled cake.
  17. Garnish with fresh strawberries. Slice and serve chilled.

Notes

For best results, chill the cake thoroughly before adding whipped cream. Use fresh strawberries for optimal flavor, but frozen (thawed and drained) berries work in a pinch. Add cream cheese or cornstarch to whipped cream for stability. Gluten-free and dairy-free adaptations are possible. If custard is lumpy, strain before pouring over cake.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry poke cake, summer dessert, custard cake, easy cake recipe, whipped cream cake, potluck dessert, vanilla cake, strawberry custard

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/creamy-strawberry-custard-poke-cake-recipe-easy-summer-dessert/