Strawberry Poke Cake

I made this for a church pot luck this week. Isn't it required to take something that contains Jello to a church potluck? Anyway, this is good. It's slightly different than a normal poke cake, but it's for the better! Make sure not to rush this recipe, as the whole cake needs some time to just meld together.

Cake Ingredients

12 T. butter, softened, plus extra for preparing pan

4 t. baking powder

1 t. salt

1 c. milk

2 t. vanilla

6 large egg whites

1 3/4 c. sugar

Syrup and Topping Ingredients

4 c. frozen strawberries

6 T. sugar

2 T. orange juice

1/2 c. water

2 T. strawberry-flavored gelatin

2 c. heavy cream

Directions

For the cake: 

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9x13 baking pan.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl.
3. Whisk milk, vanilla, and egg whites in large measuring cup.
4. Beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy (~3 min)
5. Add flour and milk mixture alternately, in two batches, beating after each addition until combined (~30 secs)
6. Give batter one final stir with a rubber spatula, and then pour into prepared pan.  Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (~35 minutes)
7. Cool cake completely (at least 1 hour)

For the syrup and topping:

1. Heat 3 c. strawberries, 2 T. sugar, juice, and water in medium saucepan over medium-low heat.  Cover and cook until liquid is deep red and strawberries are softened (~10 min)
2. Strain liquid into bowl reserving solids, then whisk gelatin into liquid.  Let cool to room temperature. (30 min)
3. Poke about 50 holes in top of cooled cake with a skewer.  Slowly pour cooled liquid into every hole.
4. Wrap cake with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until gelatin is set.  (At least 3 hours and up to 2 days.  I suggest longer than 3 hours)
5. Pulse reserved strained strawberries, 2 T. sugar, and remaining strawberries in food processors until mixture resembles strawberry jam.
6. Spread strawberry mixture evenly over cake.
7. Beat heavy cream with 2 T. sugar to soft peaks.
8. Spread whipped cream over strawberries.
9. Cut cake into squares and serve cold.