Have you ever had a Strawberries & Cream Frappé from Starbucks? Well, that's exactly what this Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake Dessert tastes like, but in cake form.
However, this retro Strawberry Angel Food Cake was around long before Starbucks Strawberry & Cream Frappes even existed. It's a dessert my mother-in-law used to make years ago, and it's still one of my absolute favorites! This delicious dessert is not only easy, but it's also super light and refreshing, so it's the perfect special occasion Easter dessert or dessert to accompany any big spring or summer meal.
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Looking for more Easy Easter desserts? Try this Easy Easter Creme Egg Icebox Cake!
🥘Ingredient Notes
This cake is especially easy to make using store-bought angel food cake, frozen strawberries, whipped cream, and Jello. However, you can use a box mix or homemade angel food cake if you prefer.
- Store-bought plain Angel Food Cake. Most bakery sections of grocery stores sell pre-baked angel food cakes. Using a store-bought angel food cake makes this recipe quick and easy to prepare!
- Strawberry Jello. I use regular strawberry Jello- I do not recommend using sugar-free. I tried it, and it tasted artificial and overly sweet.
- Whipping cream. Use at least 33%-36% fat.
- Frozen strawberries. Frozen strawberries work best in this recipe because they help chill the Jello quickly.
- Fresh strawberries. Fresh strawberries are critical for a beautiful final presentation.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Whipping Cream: You can substitute Cool Whip
- Frozen Strawberries: You can use fresh strawberries instead (but it will take longer for the Jello mixture to set)
- Angel Food Cake: You can use store-bought, a boxed angel food cake mix, or make an angel food cake recipe from scratch
I love resurrecting retro desserts! And I pretty much consider anything with Jello to be retro. You don't see it around much these days, but it really had its heyday in the 60s, 70s, and even into the 80s, which was around the time I was introduced to this dessert.
But what I love most about this cake is that you don't even realize it has Jello in it. It blends so beautifully with the whipped cream that it just tastes like cool, creamy strawberry and cake bliss.
🔪How to Make Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake
HEADS UP! There is a 24-hour setting time for this strawberry dessert recipe!
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the strawberry Jello mix in boiling water, then stir in frozen strawberries and mix well.
- Step 2: Refrigerate until it begins to set (this will take about 3 minutes)
- Step 3: Meanwhile, while the jello strawberry mixture is setting, whip all 3 cups of whipping cream to soft peaks. Set aside 2 cups in a separate bowl and whip to stiff peaks. With a spoon, mix 2 cups of whipped cream with the strawberry Jello mixture. *Add 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar to the remaining 1 cup of whipped cream and whip to stiff peaks and refrigerate (this will be your garnish)
- Step 4: Spray a bundt cake pan or tube pan with non-stick cooking spray. Tear half of the angel food cake into bite-sized pieces/cubes and place in the bottom of the bundt cake pan.
- Step 5: Pour half of the jello/whipped cream mixture on top of the angel food cake. Then repeat with another layer of angel food cake.
- Step 6: Add the remaining mixture until all pieces are covered. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
- Step 7: Unmold: Place a plate on top of the cake and flip.
- Step 8: Turn the cake upside down onto a serving plate.
- Step 9: Garnish with fresh strawberries and additional whipped cream, if desired.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use Cold Ingredients for Faster Setting – Using frozen strawberries helps the Jello set faster. If using fresh strawberries, consider chilling them beforehand or adding ice cubes to the Jello mixture (just be sure to reduce the amount of boiling water accordingly).
- Chill Your Whipping Cream & Bowl – For the best results, chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before whipping the cream. Cold utensils help the cream whip up faster and create a fluffier texture.
- Gently Fold the Mixture – When combining the Jello mixture with the whipped cream, use a gentle folding motion to keep the mixture light and airy. Stirring too vigorously can deflate the whipped cream.
- Let It Set Completely – Be sure to let the dessert chill in the fridge for a full 24 hours. This will ensure that the Jello sets properly and holds its shape when unmolded.
- Run Warm Water on the Pan – If you’re having trouble getting the cake out of the bundt pan, run warm water around the outside of the pan for a few seconds to help loosen it. Gently shake the pan before flipping it onto a serving plate.
- Best Served Chilled – This dessert tastes best when it’s properly chilled. Serve it straight from the fridge for a cool, creamy treat.
👪 Serving Size
This recipe makes 10 servings. However, if you are feeding a larger group and want to make 2 or even 3 desserts, you can double or triple the recipe by clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You'll just need additional bundt or angel food cake pans.
🌡️Storage
Store this strawberry angel food dessert in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. These ingredients do not freeze well.
🍰Retro Desserts
My Daffodil Cake, Pistachio Dessert, Drumstick Dessert, and my Cherry Cha Cha are a couple of other recipes that I also brought back from the past.
❔Recipe FAQ's
You can use fresh strawberries instead of frozen, but keep in mind that the setting time may take longer since frozen strawberries help the Jello firm up faster.
Absolutely! If you prefer a shortcut, you can use Cool Whip instead of whipping cream. However, the texture will be slightly different.
Yes, this dessert needs to set for 24 hours, so it's perfect for making ahead! You can prepare it the day before serving.
Whether or not it's strawberry season, this perfect dessert is always a hit! Pink and red desserts also make ideal Valentine's Day desserts.
So, if you're looking for an easy, delicious, light dessert for a special occasion like Valentine's Day, Easter, or Mother's Day meal, then give this Strawberry Angel Food Cake with Jello a try!
🍓More Strawberry Recipes
📋 Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought angel food cake * or use a box mix
- 85 gram - package strawberry jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups whipping cream 33%-36%
- 425 gram -package frozen strawberries
Garnish
- 8 whole fresh strawberries
- 1 cup whipping cream 35%
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Heads up; There is a 24 hour setting time for this recipe!
- Spray a bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, dissolve strawberry jello mix in boiling water, then stir in frozen strawberries and mix well.85 gram - package strawberry jello, 1 cup boiling water, 425 gram -package frozen strawberries
- Refrigerate until it begins to set (this will take about 3 minutes)
- Meanwhile, while the jello strawberry mixture is setting, whip all 3 cups of whipping cream to soft peaks. Set aside 2 cups in a separate bowl and whip stiff peaks.2 cups whipping cream
- With a spoon, mix 2 cups whipped cream with strawberry jello mixture.
- Add 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar to the remaining 1 cup of whipped cream and whip to stiff peaks and refrigerate (this will be your garnish).1 cup whipping cream, 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- Tear half of the angel food cake into bite-sized pieces/cubes and place in bottom of bundt cake pan.1 store-bought angel food cake
- Pour half of jello/whipped cream mixture on top of angel food cake.
- Then repeat with another layer of angel food cake.
- Add remaining mixture until all pieces are covered.
- Refrigerate for 24 hours.
- Unmold: Place a plate on top of cake and flip
- Turn cake upside down onto plate.
Garnish
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and additional whipped cream, if desired.8 whole fresh strawberries
- When ready to serve, slice or scoop onto serving plates or bowls and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Cold Ingredients for Faster Setting – Using frozen strawberries helps the Jello set faster. If using fresh strawberries, consider chilling them beforehand or adding ice cubes to the Jello mixture (just be sure to reduce the amount of boiling water accordingly).
-
- Chill Your Whipping Cream & Bowl – For the best results, chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before whipping the cream. Cold utensils help the cream whip up faster and create a fluffier texture.
-
- Gently Fold the Mixture – When combining the Jello mixture with the whipped cream, use a gentle folding motion to keep the mixture light and airy. Stirring too vigorously can deflate the whipped cream.
-
- Let It Set Completely – Be sure to let the dessert chill in the fridge for a full 24 hours. This will ensure that the Jello sets properly and holds its shape when unmolded.
-
- Run Warm Water on the Pan – If you’re having trouble getting the cake out of the bundt pan, run warm water around the outside of the pan for a few seconds to help loosen it. Gently shake the pan before flipping onto a serving plate.
-
- Best Served Chilled – This dessert tastes best when it’s properly chilled. Serve it straight from the fridge for a cool, creamy treat.
Nutrition
Helen
I made this cake the other day and it’s really good! I love cool/cold cakes! It’s not the most attractive cake. In fact, my grandson took one look at it and asked, “What happened to it?” But, when he took a bite he decided it was really yummy. I think next time I will make the angel food cake and leave it as is. Then I’ll make the strawberry, whipping cream and jello mixture, refrigerate it and just dollop it on the each slice of cake.
Terri Gilson
Hi Helen,
I'm so glad you loved it! But I know what you mean about the look of it- it's not the prettiest! haha
And your grandson's comment - priceless 🙂
That's not a bad idea for serving it - it will definitely look nicer. But I really like it all mixed in.
Another option is to frost it with whipped cream, or a stabilized whipped cream frosting and add strawberries as a garnish!
Justine
I let mine set for 24 hours and unfortunately it’s stuck in the Bundt pan. I did grease the pan too. Not sure what I did wrong.
Terri Gilson
Hi Justine,
Sorry to hear that happened. I've never encountered that. What did you grease the pan with? I generously spray it with Pam.
Trish
My son would love this cake! Totally his thing
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Trish. Hope you give it a try!
Bernice Hill
LOVE THIS Strawberry Cake...it's SO vintage. Sadly, I don't eat jello often enough but I do have a few of these awesome vintage recipes passed down from my grandma!
Terri Gilson
thanks, Bernice! I know, this kind of jello dessert needed to make a comeback (but not jello salads! ick...)
Katherine | Love In My Oven
This cake is so pretty! I adore the pink color. I also love when recipes make my life easier by using store-bought cake! I bet my kiddos would be thrilled with this cake!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Katherine. I agree- sometimes store bought things are a saving grace. My kiddos were fighting over the last piece 🙂
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
Loving the color and the texture of this dessert! It screams Spring and makes you joyful. Retro desserts are so cool! 🙂
Terri Gilson
Thanks, guys. I love how the color turned out too - pretty in pink!
Colleen
I'm not a huge fan of cake unless it's angel food cake. This strawberry jello one looks delicious and different. Pinning to try.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Colleen! I hope you enjoy it!