Summer Berry Poke Cake (Printable)
Moist vanilla cake layered with mixed summer berries and whipped cream topping.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or white cake mix with required ingredients (eggs, oil, water)
→ Berry Sauce
02 - 2 cups mixed summer berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 cup water
05 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
06 - 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
→ Whipped Cream Topping
07 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream
08 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Garnish
10 - 1 cup fresh mixed berries
11 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Prepare and bake the cake according to package instructions in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before proceeding.
02 - Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the entire surface of the cake, spacing approximately 1 inch apart.
03 - Combine berries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir into the berry mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
04 - Pour the warm berry sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds, if preferred. Evenly distribute the sauce over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes.
05 - Let the cake cool completely to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the berry flavor to infuse throughout.
06 - Beat heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
07 - Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled cake surface. Top with fresh mixed berries and mint leaves just before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The way the berry syrup soaks into every crumb makes each bite impossibly moist
- It feeds a crowd without requiring fancy techniques or expensive ingredients
02 -
- The cake needs to be warm not hot when you add the sauce or it will soak up too much and fall apart
- Straining the berry sauce is extra work but skipping it means dealing with seeds in every bite
03 -
- Set your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes before whipping the cream
- Wait to add the fresh mint garnish until right before serving or it will wilt