Strawberry cake is a delightful treat that brings the essence of fresh strawberries right to your dessert table. With its soft, moist layers and luscious frosting, this cake is perfect for warm weather gatherings, special occasions, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth. It beautifully showcases the sweetness of ripe strawberries, making every bite a taste of summer.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: Approximately 320
- Protein: 4 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45 grams
- Fat: 14 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 25 grams
- Sodium: 150 mg
Why Make This Strawberry Cake
This strawberry cake is not just visually stunning, with its vibrant red strawberries peeking through fluffy white frosting, but it also bursts with flavor that tantalizes your taste buds. The combination of light vanilla sponge and fresh strawberries makes it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a picnic, or enjoying a casual weekend dessert, this cake is sure to impress with its taste and texture.
How to Make Strawberry Cake
Making strawberry cake is straightforward, making it ideal for cooks of all levels. You will love how the aroma fills your kitchen while the cake bakes, and the anticipation builds. Let’s dive into the detailed steps for creating this delicious cake!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Directions:
-
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to ensure easy release after baking.
-
Step 2: Mixing
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will incorporate air into your batter, making it lighter.
-
Step 3: Cooking
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by stirring in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk until you achieve a smooth batter. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries to keep them intact, and then divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-
Step 4: Finishing
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. For the frosting, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread the whipped cream frosting between the layers and on top of the cake. For an extra touch, garnish with additional fresh strawberries.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake
Serve the strawberry cake as a centerpiece at your next gathering. Slice it into generous pieces to showcase the beautiful strawberries inside. This cake pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a side of vanilla ice cream. For a special touch, drizzle some chocolate sauce over the slices.
How to Store Strawberry Cake
To keep your strawberry cake fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 3 days. If you need to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cake
- Ensure your strawberries are fresh to achieve the best flavor. If they’re slightly overripe, they can still work in this recipe.
- For added moisture and flavor, you can soak the sliced strawberries in a tablespoon of sugar for about 10 minutes before folding them into the batter.
- If you want a more intense strawberry flavor, consider making a strawberry puree to swirl into the frosting.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate Strawberry Cake: Add cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolate twist, or layer fresh strawberries between chocolate cake layers for a rich dessert.
- Vegan Strawberry Cake: Substitute non-dairy milk and use vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the butter for a vegan-friendly version.
- Strawberry Lemon Cake: Add lemon zest and juice to the batter for a refreshing citrus kick that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use frozen strawberries instead?
Absolutely! While fresh strawberries are ideal, you can substitute frozen strawberries. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well to remove excess moisture. - What should I do if my cake sinks in the middle?
A sinking cake could be due to underbaking or too much moisture. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate, and use a toothpick to check for doneness in the center. - Can I add layers to this cake?
Yes! You can slice each cake layer in half horizontally to create more layers filled with whipped cream and strawberries for a taller cake. - Is it necessary to refrigerate the cake?
Yes, the whipped cream frosting should be refrigerated to keep the cake fresh. It’s best consumed within a few days. - How can I make my cake fluffier?
Make sure to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly and avoid overmixing the batter once you add the flour. Both techniques will incorporate air and create a lighter texture.
Conclusion
This strawberry cake is a sweet celebration of summer that everyone will love. Its light and fluffy nature, paired with the unique flavor of strawberries, makes it a delightful dessert to share. Whether you’re enjoying it at a party or indulging in a slice at home, this cake is sure to be a favorite. So, gather your ingredients and start baking – you won’t regret it! Enjoy the smiles this cake brings to your table.
Print
Strawberry Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful strawberry cake that combines soft, moist layers with luscious frosting, perfect for summer gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk until smooth. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spread between the cake layers and on top once cooled.
- Garnish with additional fresh strawberries, if desired.
Notes
Fresh strawberries yield the best flavor. If using slightly overripe strawberries, they may still work in the recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
