Dreamy Strawberry Cake Recipe: A Sweet Symphony in Every Bite

Sweet summer memories bloom with every slice of this decadent strawberry cake that captures pure culinary magic.

Bakers adore this strawberry cake recipe for its vibrant flavor and irresistible texture.

Fresh, ripe strawberries dance through layers of soft, tender crumb creating an enchanting dessert.

Each bite promises a delightful burst of fruity goodness that melts on your tongue.

The rich, velvety frosting complements the bright strawberry notes perfectly.

This cake transforms ordinary afternoons into extraordinary moments of pure bliss.

You’ll want to share every delectable slice with those closest to your heart.

Keeping Your Cake Fresh and Berry-Licious

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the strawberry cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing moisture loss.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months to enjoy later with minimal quality degradation.
• Counter Storage Tip: Keep the cake at room temperature for 24 hours maximum if serving soon, but refrigerate immediately if using strawberry buttercream to maintain food safety.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and strawberry reduction 1-2 days before assembling, storing separately in the refrigerator to streamline your baking process and reduce day-of stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 395 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need for Fresh Strawberry Cake

• Fresh Strawberries: Vibrant, sweet base that captures summer's essence, choose ripe, deeply colored berries without bruises.
• Granulated Sugar: Intensifies strawberry flavor and helps create thick, glossy reduction.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavor and helps preserve color of strawberry mixture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy cake structure and tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise evenly and creates soft texture.
• Baking Soda: Balances acidity and supports proper cake leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, smooth base with excellent cake texture, use room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide moisture, use large fresh eggs.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor background.
• Buttermilk: Introduces tangy flavor and helps create tender, moist cake.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates creamy, luxurious frosting base, ensure room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth frosting consistency.
• Strawberry Reduction: Infuses frosting with intense strawberry flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting texture for perfect spreadability.

• Fresh Strawberries: Beautiful, fresh topping that complements cake's flavor.

Tools to Whip Up a Beautiful Strawberry Cake

• Large saucepan: For creating strawberry reduction with even heating.
• Blender or food processor: Needed to puree cooked strawberries smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Essential for beating butter, sugar, and creating buttercream.
• Two 9-inch cake pans: Standard size for creating layer cake layers.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients evenly.
• Large mixing bowls: Used for combining cake batter ingredients.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cakes cool without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading frosting.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

How to Bake the Perfect Strawberry Cake

• Create Strawberry Sauce

Gently cook strawberries with sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan, simmering until the mixture transforms into a rich, glossy reduction. Blend until smooth and allow to cool completely.

• Prepare Cake Batter

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then incorporate eggs and vanilla. Slowly mix dry ingredients and buttermilk, alternating between each addition. Fold in a portion of the strawberry sauce.

• Bake Cake Layers

Pour batter into greased cake pans and bake at 350F until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes rest briefly in pans before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Whip Strawberry Buttercream

Beat butter until creamy, then gradually blend in powdered sugar. Incorporate remaining strawberry sauce and vanilla, adjusting consistency with cream if needed.

• Assemble and Decorate

Stack cake layers, spreading buttercream between and around the entire cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries for a gorgeous, tempting finale. Slice and enjoy the fruity, tender dessert!

Sweet Tips & Fun Twists for Your Strawberry Cake

• Berry Preservation Hack: Quickly freeze extra strawberries at peak ripeness to use in future cake batches, maintaining intense fruit flavor and natural sweetness.
• Dairy-Free Transformation: Swap buttermilk with almond or coconut milk and use plant-based butter alternatives to create a delicious vegan-friendly strawberry cake without compromising texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake remains tender and moist while accommodating wheat-sensitive guests.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare strawberry reduction and cake layers up to two days in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to streamline party preparation and reduce day-of stress.
• Texture Enhancement Trick: Fold in finely chopped fresh strawberries into the batter for added bursts of fruit and a more complex, interesting cake texture that elevates the overall eating experience.

How to Present a Slice of Strawberry

• Sweet Strawberry Garnish: Top each slice with fresh, sliced strawberries for a burst of color and extra fruity flavor that complements the cake's rich texture.
• Berry Elegant Plating: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and arrange whole strawberries around the base of the cake for a professional, restaurant-style presentation that looks stunning.
• Summer Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the cake's sweet strawberry notes and create a refreshing dessert experience.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Cut into smaller portions and serve with hot tea or iced coffee for a perfect midday treat that's sure to impress family and friends.

Luscious Strawberry Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful fresh strawberry cake brings summer’s sweetness to your dessert table. Layers of moist vanilla sponge and luscious strawberry frosting create a perfect balance of flavor that satisfies strawberry enthusiasts and cake lovers alike.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + ½ tsp vinegar)
• ½ cup strawberry reduction
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup strawberry reduction
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 tbsps (180 ml) heavy cream (if needed for consistency)

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Instructions

1. Strawberry Reduction: Simmer fresh strawberries with sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until the mixture thickens and develops a concentrated flavor. Blend into a smooth puree and cool to room temperature.
2. Preparation: Grease cake pans, line with parchment paper, and preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Batter Creation: Cream butter and sugar until light and airy. Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then incorporate vanilla extract. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients.
4. Cake Assembly: Gently fold strawberry reduction into the batter, creating a marbled effect. Distribute evenly between prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake appears golden.
5. Cooling Process: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
6. Buttercream Frosting: Beat butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar, and mix thoroughly. Enhance with strawberry reduction and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with heavy cream if needed.
7. Final Presentation: Place first cake layer on a serving plate, spread strawberry buttercream. Position second layer on top and frost the entire cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries and serve immediately to highlight the vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Manage Strawberry Reduction: Cool the reduction completely to prevent cake batter from becoming runny and maintaining optimal texture consistency.
• Prevent Overmixing Batter: Gently fold ingredients to avoid developing tough gluten structures, which can create dense cake layers with less desirable crumb.
• Temperature Control for Butter: Ensure butter is softened but not melted, allowing proper air incorporation during creaming process for light, fluffy cake texture.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk, and replace eggs with applesauce for vegan adaptation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 512
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 109 mg