Easy No-Bake Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake: A Refreshing Retro Dream Dessert
Imagine the delightful taste of a Starbucks Strawberries & Cream Frappé, but transformed into a light, airy, and effortlessly elegant cake. That’s exactly what you get with this incredible Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake Dessert. It’s a taste sensation that combines creamy sweetness with fruity freshness, all in a delightful cake form.
While Starbucks’ popular drink is a modern classic, this retro Strawberry Angel Food Cake has been cherished for much longer. It’s a timeless dessert, often found in family recipe collections, including my mother-in-law’s, who made it for years. It holds a special place as one of my all-time favorites! This delicious dessert isn’t just easy to assemble; it’s also wonderfully light and refreshingly cool. This makes it the absolute perfect choice for special occasions like Easter, Mother’s Day, or any significant spring or summer celebration. Its vibrant colors also make it an ideal Valentine’s Day dessert, adding a touch of romance to your table.
If you’re searching for more effortless Easter desserts or simply crave a sweet, nostalgic treat, this recipe is a must-try. It brings together simple ingredients to create a show-stopping, crowd-pleasing dessert that requires no baking, freeing up your oven for other culinary delights. The combination of fluffy angel food cake, sweet strawberries, and creamy whipped Jello creates a truly unforgettable experience.
Looking for more easy dessert ideas for your holiday table? Don’t miss this Easy Easter Creme Egg Icebox Cake!
🍓Ingredient Notes for Your Easy Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake
One of the best features of this cake is how incredibly easy it is to make, especially when you start with a store-bought angel food cake. This no-bake, retro Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake relies on just a few key components: pre-baked angel food cake, frozen strawberries, fresh whipping cream, and strawberry Jello. It’s designed to be light, refreshing, and truly simple to prepare. While using a store-bought cake saves a lot of time, you can certainly opt for a box mix or even a homemade angel food cake if you prefer to bake from scratch.
- Store-bought Plain Angel Food Cake: This is your ultimate time-saver! Most grocery store bakeries offer freshly baked angel food cakes, which are perfect for this recipe. Opting for store-bought means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your delicious dessert. If you’re feeling ambitious, a boxed angel food cake mix or even a homemade version will also work beautifully; just ensure it’s fully cooled before use.
- Strawberry Jello: For the best flavor and texture, I highly recommend using regular strawberry Jello. I’ve experimented with sugar-free versions, and unfortunately, they tend to have an artificial taste and an overly sweet profile that doesn’t quite capture the classic essence of this dessert. The regular Jello provides the perfect balance of sweetness and fruity flavor.
- Whipping Cream (33%-36% Fat): The quality of your whipping cream is crucial for achieving that light, fluffy, and stable texture. Aim for whipping cream with at least 33% to 36% milk fat. This higher fat content ensures the cream whips up to stiff peaks beautifully, providing the rich, creamy foundation for your Jello mixture and a perfect garnish.
- Frozen Strawberries: While fresh strawberries are tempting, frozen strawberries are actually preferred for the main Jello mixture. Their icy temperature helps to quickly chill and set the Jello, significantly speeding up the preparation process. As they thaw, they release their juices, infusing the Jello with even more natural strawberry flavor.
- Fresh Strawberries: These are absolutely essential for a stunning final presentation. Sliced or whole, fresh strawberries add a burst of vibrant color, natural sweetness, and a delightful textural contrast when garnishing the finished cake.
*Please refer to the recipe card below for the precise measurements and a complete list of ingredients.
📖 Variations & Substitutions to Customize Your Dessert
This Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to easily make substitutions or add your own twist. Here are some ideas to customize your dessert:
- Whipping Cream Alternatives: If you’re looking for a quick and easy substitute for freshly whipped cream, you can use a tub of commercial whipped topping like Cool Whip. Keep in mind that while it offers convenience, the texture and richness will be slightly different from homemade whipped cream.
- Frozen vs. Fresh Strawberries in the Mixture: As mentioned, frozen strawberries are ideal for helping the Jello set quickly. However, if fresh strawberries are all you have on hand, you can certainly use them! Just be aware that the Jello mixture will take longer to begin setting, as the fresh berries won’t provide the same rapid chilling effect. You might also consider chilling the fresh berries or adding a few ice cubes to the Jello (and reducing the boiling water slightly) to speed things up.
- Angel Food Cake Choices: The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility regarding the angel food cake. You can use a pre-baked, store-bought angel food cake for ultimate ease, a boxed angel food cake mix if you enjoy a semi-homemade approach, or bake an angel food cake from scratch if you have the time and desire for a fully homemade creation. Whichever you choose, ensure the cake is completely cooled before tearing it into pieces.
- Other Jello Flavors: While strawberry is the classic and most popular choice for this recipe, don’t be afraid to experiment! Raspberry Jello, cherry Jello, or even a mixed berry Jello could offer a delightful flavor variation, changing the entire profile of the dessert.
- Add Other Fruits: For an extra layer of flavor and texture, consider adding other berries to the mixture or as a garnish. Blueberries, raspberries, or sliced kiwi could complement the strawberries beautifully.
I absolutely adore resurrecting retro desserts, and anything featuring Jello immediately falls into that charming category for me. While Jello creations might not be as ubiquitous today, they truly had their moment in the spotlight during the 1960s, 70s, and even into the 80s – precisely the era when I was first introduced to this very dessert. There’s a wonderful sense of nostalgia that comes with these dishes, reminding us of simpler times and family gatherings.
What I find most captivating about this particular Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake is that many people don’t even realize it contains Jello. The Jello blends so seamlessly and beautifully with the whipped cream, creating a light, airy, and creamy strawberry mousse-like texture that truly elevates the angel food cake. The result is pure, cool, creamy strawberry and cake bliss – a delightful surprise for anyone who takes a bite.
🔪 How to Make This Irresistible Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake
This no-bake dessert is surprisingly simple to assemble, but there’s one important thing to remember: HEADS UP! This strawberry dessert recipe requires a full 24-hour setting time in the refrigerator! Planning ahead ensures your cake is perfectly set and ready to impress.
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry Jello mix with boiling water, stirring thoroughly until the Jello powder is completely dissolved. Then, stir in the frozen strawberries and mix well. The frozen berries will immediately begin to chill the Jello mixture, jumpstarting the setting process.
- Step 2: Transfer the Jello and strawberry mixture to the refrigerator. Allow it to chill until it just begins to thicken and set. This crucial step usually takes approximately 3 minutes, thanks to the frozen strawberries. You want it slightly firm but still mixable.
- Step 3: While the Jello mixture is setting, prepare your whipped cream. Whip all 3 cups of cold whipping cream to soft peaks. Carefully set aside 2 cups of this whipped cream in a separate bowl and continue whipping it until it reaches stiff peaks. This portion will be used for the Jello mixture. Gently fold the 2 cups of stiff-peak whipped cream into the partially set strawberry Jello mixture until thoroughly combined.
*For your garnish: Add 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar to the remaining 1 cup of soft-peak whipped cream and whip it until it forms stiff peaks. Cover and refrigerate this sweetened whipped cream until you’re ready to serve.
- Step 4: Prepare your bundt cake pan or tube pan by lightly spraying it with non-stick cooking spray. This will help with easy unmolding later. Next, take your angel food cake and gently tear half of it into bite-sized pieces or cubes. Arrange these pieces evenly across the bottom of the prepared bundt cake pan.
- Step 5: Pour approximately half of the Jello and whipped cream mixture evenly over the layer of angel food cake pieces in the pan. Then, repeat the process by adding another layer of the remaining angel food cake pieces on top of the Jello mixture.
- Step 6: Pour the remaining Jello and whipped cream mixture over the last layer of angel food cake, ensuring all the cake pieces are well covered and distributed. Gently smooth the top. Once assembled, cover the bundt pan and transfer it to the refrigerator. Refrigerate for a full 24 hours to allow the Jello to set completely and for the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Step 7: After 24 hours of chilling, it’s time to unmold your beautiful dessert! Place your chosen serving plate upside down directly on top of the bundt pan, ensuring it’s centered.
- Step 8: Holding both the plate and the bundt pan firmly together, carefully flip them over. Give the pan a gentle shake or tap to encourage the cake to release. Then, slowly lift the bundt pan off, revealing your perfectly formed Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake on the serving plate.
- Step 9: Finally, it’s time to add the finishing touches! Garnish your gorgeous cake generously with the reserved fresh strawberries. For an extra touch of decadence and visual appeal, pipe or dollop the additional sweetened whipped cream on top, if desired. Slice, serve, and enjoy this delightful retro treat!
⭐ Expert Recipe Tips for Perfection
Achieving the perfect Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake is easy with these expert tips:
- Use Cold Ingredients for Faster Setting: This is a game-changer! The frozen strawberries are key because their icy temperature helps the Jello mixture set much quicker than fresh, room-temperature berries would. If you absolutely must use fresh strawberries, make sure to chill them thoroughly in the refrigerator beforehand, or add a few ice cubes to the dissolved Jello (just remember to slightly reduce the amount of boiling water to maintain the proper consistency).
- Chill Your Whipping Cream & Bowl: For the fluffiest, most stable whipped cream, temperature is everything. Before you start, place your mixing bowl and beaters (or whisk attachment) in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Cold utensils help the cream whip up faster, achieve stiffer peaks, and create a wonderfully airy texture that holds its shape beautifully in the dessert.
- Gently Fold the Mixture: When you combine the partially set Jello mixture with the whipped cream, use a light, gentle folding motion. This technique helps to incorporate the ingredients without deflating the airy whipped cream. Stirring too vigorously can cause the whipped cream to lose its volume, resulting in a denser dessert.
- Let It Set Completely (The 24-Hour Rule): Patience is a virtue, especially with this dessert! While it might be tempting to cut into it sooner, allowing the cake to chill in the refrigerator for a full 24 hours is crucial. This extended setting time ensures that the Jello fully solidifies and binds all the components, guaranteeing your cake holds its perfect shape when unmolded and sliced.
- Run Warm Water on the Pan for Easy Unmolding: If you encounter any resistance when trying to remove the cake from the bundt pan, don’t force it! A simple trick is to run warm (not hot) water around the outside of the pan for just a few seconds. The gentle warmth will help to slightly loosen the Jello from the pan walls. After this, gently shake the pan before flipping it onto your serving plate.
- Best Served Chilled: This dessert is designed to be a cool, creamy indulgence. For the ultimate taste and texture experience, always serve it directly from the refrigerator. The chilling enhances its refreshing qualities, making it an ideal treat, especially on warmer days.
👪 Serving Size & How to Adjust Your Recipe
This delightful Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake recipe is designed to yield approximately 10 generous servings. It’s perfect for a family gathering, a small dinner party, or as a treat to enjoy throughout the week. However, if you’re planning to entertain a larger crowd or simply wish to have more on hand, this recipe is incredibly easy to scale.
You can effortlessly double or even triple the recipe to create 2 or 3 desserts. Simply adjust the serving number in the recipe card below (if using an interactive recipe card feature, the ingredient quantities will automatically update). Just remember that you’ll need additional bundt or angel food cake pans to accommodate the increased volume.
🌡️ Storage Instructions
To keep your Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake dessert fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s crucial to use an airtight container to prevent the cake from drying out and absorbing any refrigerator odors. Unfortunately, these ingredients do not freeze well; freezing can alter the texture of both the whipped cream and the Jello, leading to a less appealing result once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh and chilled!
🍰 Craving More Retro Desserts?
If you love a trip down memory lane with classic treats, you’ll adore these other retro desserts I’ve brought back from the past. Each one is a nostalgic delight:
- My Daffodil Cake, a sunshine-yellow classic.
- This vibrant Pistachio Dessert, a creamy green dream.
- The fun and crunchy Drumstick Dessert, inspired by ice cream cones.
- And the fruity, layered Cherry Cha Cha, always a party favorite!
❔ Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
You certainly can use fresh strawberries! However, keep in mind that frozen strawberries help the Jello set much faster due to their low temperature. If you use fresh berries, the setting time for the Jello mixture will likely be longer. To speed things up, you could chill your fresh strawberries beforehand or add a few ice cubes to the Jello (reducing the boiling water slightly to compensate for the melting ice).
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a convenient shortcut, Cool Whip (or any similar pre-made whipped topping) is a perfectly acceptable substitute for fresh whipping cream. It will still provide a creamy texture, though it may have a slightly different flavor and consistency compared to homemade whipped cream.
Yes, this dessert is actually designed to be made ahead of time! It requires a full 24 hours of chilling in the refrigerator to set properly and allow the flavors to fully develop. This makes it an ideal dessert for meal prepping or preparing the day before a special occasion.
A 9-inch bundt cake pan or a tube pan works best for this recipe to achieve the classic shape. Make sure to lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray before adding the cake and Jello mixture to ensure easy unmolding.
There could be a few reasons. Ensure you used boiling water to fully dissolve the Jello powder, then chilled it until it started to thicken before folding in the whipped cream. Not enough chilling time for the Jello on its own, or not enough overall chilling time for the finished cake (remember the 24 hours!), are common culprits. Also, make sure you’re using regular Jello, not a sugar-free variety, as they can sometimes set differently.
Whether it’s the peak of strawberry season or you’re simply dreaming of a sweet escape, this perfect dessert is always a hit! The beautiful pink and red hues also make it an ideal choice for romantic Valentine’s Day desserts, adding a touch of festive cheer to any occasion.
So, if you’re searching for an easy, delicious, and wonderfully light dessert that perfectly suits a special occasion like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, or even just a delightful summer evening, then give this incredible Strawberry Angel Food Cake with Jello a try! It promises to be a memorable and much-loved addition to your recipe repertoire.
🍓 More Delicious Strawberry Recipes to Explore
- Healthy Strawberry Yogurt Popsicle Recipe
- Sparkling Strawberry Party Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
- Chocolate Avocado Mousse & Strawberry Spoon Desserts
- Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad
📋 Strawberry Jello Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe
Equipment
- electric mixer
- non-stick 9 inch fluted tube pan (or bundt pan)
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% cold
- 425 gram package frozen strawberries
For Garnish
- 8 whole fresh strawberries
- 1 cup whipping cream 35% cold
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Heads up: This recipe requires a full 24-hour setting time for best results!
- Lightly spray a 9-inch bundt cake pan or tube pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, fully dissolve the strawberry jello mix in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir in the frozen strawberries and mix well.85 gram – package strawberry jello, 1 cup boiling water, 425 gram -package frozen strawberries
- Refrigerate the Jello mixture until it just begins to thicken and set, which should take about 3 minutes due to the frozen strawberries.
- Meanwhile, while the Jello mixture is setting, whip all 3 cups of cold whipping cream to soft peaks. Set aside 1 cup for garnish. Continue whipping the remaining 2 cups of whipped cream to stiff peaks.2 cups whipping cream
- Gently fold the 2 cups of stiff-peak whipped cream into the partially set strawberry Jello mixture until well combined.
- To the reserved 1 cup of soft-peak whipped cream, add 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar and whip it to stiff peaks. Cover and refrigerate; this will be used for your garnish.1 cup whipping cream, 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- Tear half of the store-bought angel food cake into bite-sized pieces/cubes and arrange them evenly in the bottom of the prepared bundt pan.1 store-bought angel food cake
- Pour half of the Jello/whipped cream mixture over the angel food cake layer.
- Repeat with another layer of the remaining angel food cake pieces.
- Add the remaining Jello/whipped cream mixture, ensuring all cake pieces are covered and the top is smoothed.
- Cover the pan and refrigerate for a full 24 hours to allow the dessert to set completely.
- To unmold: Place a serving plate on top of the cake pan and carefully flip them over together.
- Gently lift off the bundt pan, revealing the cake on the plate.
Garnish & Serve
- Garnish the unmolded cake with fresh strawberries and additional sweetened whipped cream, if desired.8 whole fresh strawberries
- When ready to serve, slice or scoop onto individual serving plates or bowls and enjoy your refreshing retro dessert!
Notes
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- Cold Ingredients for Faster Setting – Frozen strawberries are essential here as their cold temperature significantly accelerates the Jello’s setting process. If using fresh strawberries, ensure they are well-chilled, or add ice to the Jello (reducing boiling water proportionally).
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- Chill Your Whipping Cream & Bowl – For optimum volume and stability, chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before whipping the cream. This helps the cream whip up faster and achieve a lighter, fluffier texture.
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- Gently Fold the Mixture – When combining the Jello mixture with the whipped cream, use a gentle folding technique. This preserves the air in the whipped cream, ensuring your dessert remains light and airy. Vigorous stirring can deflate the cream.
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- Let It Set Completely – The 24-hour chilling period is critical. This ensures the Jello sets fully and the cake maintains its structural integrity when unmolded, providing a perfect presentation and texture.
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- Run Warm Water on the Pan – If unmolding is tricky, run warm (not hot) water around the exterior of the bundt pan for a few seconds. This helps loosen the dessert from the mold. Gently shake the pan before inverting it onto a serving plate.
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- Best Served Chilled – For the most refreshing experience, serve this dessert straight from the refrigerator. The cool temperature enhances its delicate flavors and creamy texture.
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