The Sweetest Strawberry Lemon Cake Recipe for Sunny Days

Sweet summer afternoons call for a delightful strawberry lemon cake that bursts with vibrant flavors.

This delectable dessert weaves together tangy citrus notes and luscious berry essence in a single remarkable slice.

Ripe strawberries dance alongside bright lemon zest, creating a harmonious blend that enchants every palate.

Soft, moist layers promise a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

Each forkful delivers a refreshing combination of sweet and tart sensations that will leave you craving more.

Elegant yet simple, this cake transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that celebrates the best of seasonal ingredients.

Tools for Baking Strawberry Lemon Cake

• Stand Mixer or Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and beating eggs to achieve a light, fluffy texture.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking dry ingredients together.
• 9-Inch Cake Pans (2): Necessary for baking the cake layers evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and incorporating air.
• Spatula: Useful for folding strawberries and scraping batter from sides of bowl.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Zester or Grater: Helps create fine lemon zest for intense citrus flavor.

Bake This Strawberry Lemon Cake Step-by-Step

• Prep the Baking Space

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F and get your cake pans ready by coating them with a light butter layer and sliding in parchment paper for easy release.

• Mix the Dry Foundation

Grab a bowl and whisk together the flour, lemon-friendly baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until they’re perfectly blended.

• Cream the Sweet Base

In a separate large bowl, whip the butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that looks light and dreamy.

• Build the Liquid Layer

Crack in the eggs one by one, giving each a good beating to incorporate them smoothly. Stir in the vibrant vanilla, zesty lemon zest, and tangy lemon juice for a burst of flavor.

• Create the Cake Batter

Gently alternate adding your dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry mix. Blend until everything just comes together – don’t overmix!

• Fold in the Fruity Surprise

Carefully fold those juicy strawberry pieces into the batter, distributing them evenly for delightful bursts of sweetness in every slice.

Tips for Tangy Sweet Strawberry Lemon Cake

• Fresh Strawberry Boost: Toss strawberries in a little flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers a day in advance and store wrapped in plastic at room temperature to enhance moisture and flavor development.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring an equal 1:1 replacement for a celiac-friendly version.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil and buttermilk with almond milk mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for a plant-based alternative.
• Decoration Tips: Garnish the cake with fresh strawberry slices, lemon zest curls, and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant and professional presentation.

Serving Strawberry Lemon Cake with Flair

• Delightful Dessert Presentation
• Fresh strawberry halves artfully arranged on top of the frosted cake create a stunning visual centerpiece that hints at the fruity flavors inside.
• Summer Serving Elegance
• Slice the cake and serve on white porcelain plates with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest for an elegant touch that enhances both presentation and flavor profile.
• Complementary Beverage Pairing
• Accompany this bright, citrusy cake with a chilled glass of sparkling rosé or a refreshing iced lavender lemonade to elevate the overall tasting experience and highlight the cake's vibrant notes.
• Tea Time Transformation
• Cut into petite squares and serve alongside afternoon tea, turning this cake into a delicate companion for Earl Grey or chamomile tea, perfect for a sophisticated gathering with friends.

How to Store Strawberry Lemon Cake Fresh

• Fresh Flavor Retention: Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain its soft texture and vibrant taste.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap cake layers individually in plastic wrap before refrigerating, which prevents moisture loss and preserves the delicate strawberry and lemon flavors for 5-7 days.
• Freezing Technique: Slice cake into portions, then wrap tightly in freezer-safe wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen cake remains delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Thawing Wisdom: Remove frozen cake from freezer and let it naturally defrost at room temperature for 2-3 hours, ensuring the cake's original moisture and texture remain intact.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 12

Strawberry Lemon Cake Must-Haves

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Baking Soda: Assists in browning and neutralizes acidic ingredients.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth, velvety cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden, tender cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes and aromatic essence.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tangy flavor and helps activate baking soda.
• Buttermilk: Creates tenderness and adds subtle tanginess to the cake.

• Fresh Strawberries: Brings natural sweetness, vibrant color, and juicy bursts of flavor throughout the cake.

Heavenly Strawberry Lemon Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry lemon cake delivers a harmonious blend of tangy and fruity flavors. Rich layers showcase fresh strawberries and zesty lemon, promising a delightful dessert experience you will savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
• 1 cup diced fresh strawberries (tossed in 1 tbsp flour to prevent sinking)
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup fresh strawberry puree (blended strawberries, strained to remove seeds if desired)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Fresh sliced strawberries
• Lemon zest
• Whipped cream

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease two round cake pans and line with parchment paper, ensuring complete surface coverage for easy removal.
2. Dry Mixture: Thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, creating a uniform dry base for the cake’s foundation.
3. Creaming: Whip butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume, achieving a pale, creamy texture.
4. Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition to maintain a smooth, well-incorporated batter.
5. Flavor Infusion: Blend in vanilla extract, vibrant lemon zest, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, ensuring even distribution of citrusy aromatics.
6. Batter Assembly: Alternately fold dry ingredients and buttermilk into the mixture, using gentle strokes to preserve the batter’s delicate structure and prevent overworking.
7. Fruit Incorporation: Tenderly fold diced strawberries into the batter, distributing them with minimal handling to prevent fruit damage.
8. Baking Preparation: Carefully pour batter into prepared pans, smoothing the surface to create an even layer and promote uniform baking.
9. Baking Process: Place pans in a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing the cake to transform and develop its golden, delectable structure for approximately 25-30 minutes.
10. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness and allowing the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving.

Notes

• Prevent Fruit Sinking: Toss strawberry pieces in a light dusting of flour before folding into batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Ensure Moist Texture: Do not overmix the batter when adding dry ingredients, as this can develop gluten and create a tough, dense cake.
• Temperature Precision: Allow eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing to guarantee smoother incorporation and better cake volume.
• Zest Intensification: Rub lemon zest directly into sugar before creaming to release more essential oils and maximize citrus flavor throughout the cake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg