Strawberry magic cake made with mini marshmallows, yellow cake mix batter, frozen strawberries, and strawberry Jell-O that bakes into gooey layers.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

I first saw this cake pop up all over TikTok from a used named Kendra Myler, and the comments alone convinced me it was worth trying. Any dessert that claims to be “magic” usually means minimal effort with surprisingly good results and this one absolutely delivers.

What comes out of the oven looks nothing like what goes in. The marshmallows melt down into a gooey base, the strawberries sink and sauce themselves, and the cake bakes up soft and golden on top. It’s one of those desserts that feels retro, a little chaotic, and somehow perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just because you have strawberries in the freezer.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious magic cake. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements in the recipe card below.

Mini Marshmallows- Melt into a gooey, sweet base layer that creates the “magic” texture.
Yellow Cake Mix (prepared according to package directions)- Bakes into a soft, buttery cake that balances the fruit and gelatin sweetness.
Semi Frozen Strawberries- Release juice slowly as they bake, forming a jammy strawberry layer.
Strawberry Jell-O- Intensifies strawberry flavor and helps thicken the fruit layer.
Water- Just a little activates the jell-o.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this delicious strawberry cake. You can find the full ingredients list with instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

First, generously spray a 9×13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread an even layer of mini marshmallows across the bottom of the dish. Prepare the yellow cake mix batter according to package directions and gently pour it over the marshmallows. Do not stir.

NOTE: Don’t stir the layers. The separation is what creates the gooey bottom and cake-on-top effect.

Scatter the semi-frozen strawberries evenly over the batter. Sprinkle the strawberry Jell-O powder evenly over the top. Carefully drizzle a small amount of water over the Jell-O to help it dissolve and spread while baking.

PRO TIP: Use semi-frozen, not fully thawed strawberries—they hold their shape better and don’t flood the cake.

Bake uncovered for 45 minutes-1 hour, until the top is golden and set and the edges are bubbling. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

PRO TIP: Let the cake sit to settle into place and firm up for a much better texture.

Can I Use Fresh Strawberries Instead Of Frozen?

Yes, but freeze them for about 30 minutes first so they behave the same way during baking.

Can I Use A Different Cake Mix Flavor?

White cake would work great. Strawberry cake mix will make it extra sweet and more intense.

Why Is The Bottom Layer So Gooey?

That’s totally normal. This cake is meant to be soft, spoonable, and slightly messy.

Storage

Let the cake cool completely and place it into an air tight storage container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days.