Name: Strawberry Cake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed); 1–2 tablespoons ice water; 3 large eggs; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups fresh strawberries (halved); 2 tablespoons apricot jam (optional, for glaze)

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If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert bursting with the flavor of sun-ripened strawberries, look no further than this Strawberry Cake Recipe. With its tender crumb, moist layers, and flecks of real strawberries running through every bite, this cake is an absolute celebration of summer. Whether it’s for a birthday, picnic, or simply a treat-yourself day, this is the cake you’ll come back to again and again for its homemade charm and delightful taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the joys of this Strawberry Cake Recipe is how it transforms everyday pantry staples and fresh strawberries into a jaw-dropping dessert. Each ingredient, no matter how simple, makes a difference—giving you everything from a delicate crumb to that gorgeous pink hue and irresistible fruity aroma.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cake, ensuring each slice is soft yet sturdy enough to hold up to generous frosting.
Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners work together to give your cake rise and a fluffy, tender bite.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor, ensuring the sweet strawberries pop.
Unsalted butter (softened): Gives richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps keep it moist.
Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness, resulting in a velvety cake.
Sour cream: Contributes tang and extra moisture for a luscious crumb.
Whole milk: Enhances tenderness and helps blend everything smoothly.
Vanilla extract: Infuses a dreamy aroma that complements the strawberries.
Strawberry puree: Brings concentrated strawberry flavor and natural color to the batter.
Finely chopped strawberries: Dots the cake with juicy bites of real fruit.
Pink or red food coloring (optional): Intensifies the cake’s playful, vibrant color—just a few drops will do the trick!

How to Make Strawberry Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C)—giving it time to reach temperature is key for even baking. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper. This simple prep step means your Strawberry Cake Recipe will lift right out of the pans, smooth and intact.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing dry ingredients first ensures your leaveners are evenly distributed, which is the secret to a cake that rises perfectly in the oven.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. This step aerates the mixture, which helps your Strawberry Cake Recipe turn out light and delicious—don’t skimp on the creaming time!

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Wet Ingredients

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Next, mix in the sour cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree. This medley creates a beautifully pink, flavorful batter with plenty of moisture.

Step 5: Combine and Fold

Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—you want everything just blended for a tender cake. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and a few drops of food coloring, if desired, for that eye-catching hue.

Step 6: Bake

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma of strawberries will fill your kitchen, adding to the anticipation!

Step 7: Cool

Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to wire racks to cool completely—resist slicing until they’re fully cool for the best texture and easiest frosting.

How to Serve Strawberry Cake Recipe

Garnishes

This cake absolutely shines with a lush topping of cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, or an airy strawberry buttercream. Finish with a sprinkling of fresh sliced strawberries or even a handful of edible flowers—it’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Side Dishes

A slice of Strawberry Cake Recipe pairs delightfully with a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream. A cup of hot coffee or a refreshing iced tea balances out the sweetness and makes the experience even more irresistible.

Creative Ways to Present

Try baking the batter as cupcakes for single-serve treats at parties, or use a bundt pan for a dramatic centerpiece effect. For a celebration, stack the layers high, and decorate with cascading berries for that “wow” moment when you slice in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cake stays moist and flavorful for up to three days—if it lasts that long!

Freezing

Both baked cake layers and any leftover Strawberry Cake Recipe freeze beautifully. Wrap each layer in plastic and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before assembling or enjoying.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat, but if you like to enjoy your cake slightly warm, a brief (5 to 10 seconds) zap in the microwave will revive that just-baked aroma and soften the crumb.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work wonderfully for both the puree and the chopped strawberries. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.

What kind of frosting goes best with this cake?

Cream cheese frosting is a classic favorite, as its tang complements the sweetness of the cake perfectly. Whipped cream and strawberry buttercream are also delicious choices for this Strawberry Cake Recipe.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour for regular flour, following the brand’s instructions for cake recipes. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavor will still shine.

How do I get a more intense pink color in the cake?

If your strawberries are pale or you’d like an extra pop of color, just add a few drops of pink or red food coloring to the batter as suggested. Start small and stir in more until you reach your desired hue.

Can I bake this as a single-layer or sheet cake?

Definitely! Pour the batter into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, checking for doneness after 35 minutes. Adjust baking time as needed for your oven.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cake Recipe is pure joy in every bite—soft, moist, full of real berry flavor, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just because, this cake is sure to become a new favorite in your repertoire. Don’t wait for a reason; treat yourself and your loved ones to this homemade delight soon!

Strawberry Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delight your taste buds with this refreshing and elegant Strawberry Lemon Tart recipe. A perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors in a buttery crust, topped with fresh strawberries.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
1–2 tablespoons ice water

Filling:

3 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

2 cups fresh strawberries (halved)
2 tablespoons apricot jam (optional, for glaze)

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare crust: In a food processor, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold butter and ice water to form dough. Press into tart pan and bake.
Make filling: Whisk eggs, sugar, lemon juice, zest, cream, and vanilla. Pour into baked crust and bake.
Chill and decorate: Let tart cool, then chill. Arrange fresh strawberries on top. Glaze with warmed apricot jam before serving.