The Easiest Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe with Buttercream Frosting

This 1970s strawberry Jello cake has a pretty pink color and a tasty buttercream frosting, both of which have fresh strawberries. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also incredibly delicious.

Easy Strawberry Cake Ingredients

This easy strawberry cake is straight from 1972, and if this is what the 70s was like, then send me back in a time machine. It has the perfect strawberry flavor, and the flecks of fresh strawberries make it even better.

• White Cake Mix
• Large Eggs
• Vegetable Oil
• Strawberry Jell-O Mix
• Crushed Strawberries (divided)
• Salt
• Powdered Sugar (confectioners sugar)
• Butter, softened

If you’re looking for a show-stopper, bring this cake to your next pitch-in, cookout or holiday gathering. My kids request this cake for their birthday cake. And, I’m happy to oblige.

Strawberry Jello Cake with Buttercream Frosting

There’s three details of this easy strawberry cake that take it to a good cake to an amazing cake.

• The first is a box of strawberry jello mix that gets added to the cake batter. It gives it an amazing strawberry flavor and a beautiful pink color.
• Secondly, fresh (or frozen strawberries) are crushed and added to both the cake batter and the buttercream frosting.
• Lastly, the homemade buttercream frosting is just the icing on the cake. I think the person who coined that popular phrase was actually eating this strawberry cake with jello.

How to Make Strawberry Cake with Jello?

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray either a 9 x 13 inch baking pan or two 9-inch layer pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Crush fresh strawberries using a food processor or with a potato masher in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, combine dry cake mix, eggs, oil, jello mix, 1 cup crushed strawberries and salt. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 – 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let the cake cook completely on a wire rack before icing.
6. For the frosting, cream the softened butter, powdered sugar and 1/2 cup crushed strawberries in a large mixing bowl until fluffy.
7. Spread on top of the 9×13 inch pan or between the 2 layers and over top for a layered strawberry cake.

Storage Instructions

Stove leftovers in the refrigerator, covered with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap.

For the full ingredient amounts and recipe steps for strawberry cake with jello and buttercream frosting, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

• Make this a one layer strawberry cake in a 9×13 inch baking dish, or make a two layered strawberry cake by baking it in two 9 inch round cake pans. If you are doing a two layer cake, frost in between the layers and over top.
• The cake needs to be cooled before icing, or the buttercream will melt.
• Be sure to soften the butter before making the icing, but do not melt it!
• If using frozen strawberries, let them thaw, and drain off the extra liquid.
• For the vegetable oil, canola oil or soybean oil would work too.

Recipe Variations

• Use frozen strawberries, if desired. Be sure to thaw and drain them before crushing.
• Instead of a white cake mix, use strawberry cake mix or a yellow cake mix. Just be sure to start with a dry box cake mix.
• Make different flavor variations by switching out the flavors of jello mix. Try blueberry, raspberry, blackberry or cherry jello instead.
• To lighten it up, substitute Greek yogurt for the vegetable oil.
• Use a .44 oz. box of sugar free jello mix or a 3 oz. box of the regular jello mix.
• Instead of buttercream, use cool whip or whipped topping or a cream cheese frosting on top.

Kitchen Utensils and Pantry Staples

• White Cake Mix
• Strawberry Jello Mix
• Powdered Sugar
• Stand Mixer
• Spoonula
• Icing Spreader
• Cake Rounds or 13 x 9 inch baking dish

Is Strawberry gelatin the same as Jell-O?

Yes, “Jell-O” is a brand name for flavored gelatin, which means that strawberry gelatin and strawberry jello mix are interchangeable in recipes.

Can you put strawberry jello in cake mix?

Yes, you can add a box of unprepared strawberry Jell-O to cake mix to add flavor and color to the cake. It’s a great way to add more flavor to a basic cake mix.

What happens when you add gelatin to cake mix?

Adding gelatin to cake mix can help improve the texture and moisture. The gelatin helps to bind the ingredients together, resulting in a more tender and moist cake. Additionally, it can add an awesome flavor and add color, enhancing the overall eating experience of the cake. Overall, it’s a great way to take your cake to the next level!

Recipes using Jello

While we love using Jello for this recipe, it has so many more uses. From old-fashioned salads to classic desserts, here are some of our favorite recipes featuring Jello.

• Finger Jello – Jello Jigglers
• Watergate Salad
• Blueberry Jello Salad
• Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad
• Rhubarb Pie with Strawberry Jello
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Pink Lady Salad

Strawberry Desserts

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Easy Strawberry Delight

Large Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Bread

Grandma’s Strawberry Pie