Sweet Strawberry Layer Cake with Fresh Berry Frosting Recipe

Baking a delectable strawberry cake with strawberry frosting brings pure joy to any dessert lover’s heart.

Summer’s sweetest fruit takes center stage in this irresistible recipe that promises bursts of fresh flavor.

The vibrant strawberry frosting creates a luscious blanket of crimson delight atop a tender, moist cake.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of delicate crumb and intense strawberry essence.

Real ingredients make all the difference, transforming a simple cake into a spectacular dessert.

Fresh strawberries and high-quality ingredients ensure a memorable treat that will have everyone requesting seconds.

Indulge in this berry-packed sensation that celebrates the pure magic of seasonal strawberries.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 38-48 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 8-18 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 13

Strawberry Cake and Frosting Ingredient List

• Strawberries: Concentrated fruit essence that brings vibrant natural flavor and beautiful color to the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a tender, moist texture that keeps the cake soft and rich.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds depth of flavor and contributes to the cake's smooth, rich consistency.
• Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and help bind all ingredients together perfectly.
• Sour Cream: Creates incredible tenderness and adds a subtle tangy depth to the cake.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden, delicate cake crumb.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the fundamental structure of the cake with perfect texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become beautifully light and airy.
• Baking Soda: Assists in creating a soft, even cake texture.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend dry ingredients smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic flavor that complements strawberries.
• Pink Food Coloring: Optional touch to create a playful, vibrant cake appearance.

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Concentrates strawberry flavor with intense, pure essence.
• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy richness to the frosting.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a light, fluffy frosting texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complementary flavor to the strawberry frosting.

Ideas to Tweak the Flavor for Strawberry Lovers

• Fresh Flavor Boost: Enhance the strawberry taste by adding a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the cake batter for an extra burst of fruity goodness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake layers and strawberry reduction up to two days in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time on baking day.
• Texture Twist: Fold in some finely chopped fresh strawberries into the cake batter for unexpected bursts of real fruit in every bite.
• Frosting Flexibility: No freeze-dried strawberries? Swap with strawberry jam or additional strawberry puree to create a similar vibrant flavor and color in the frosting.
• Storage Secrets: Keep the decorated cake refrigerated, but let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and bring out the full flavor profile.

Ways to Serve Cake That Looks Bakery-Ready

• Strawberry Sensation Plating
• Arrange slices on elegant white plates with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Drizzle a small amount of strawberry coulis around the cake slice for extra visual appeal and flavor burst.
• Berry Bliss Pairing
• Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A chilled glass of rosé wine or sparkling moscato complements the cake's sweet strawberry notes perfectly.
• Tea Time Twist
• Present with a selection of delicate tea options like chamomile, Earl Grey, or strawberry-infused herbal tea. Use vintage china or modern minimalist plates to elevate the dessert experience.
• Seasonal Celebration Styling
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves, edible flowers, or additional whole strawberries around the cake base. Create a rustic summer picnic feel by serving on a wooden board with fresh berries scattered nearby.

Storage Tips That Keep Cake Moist and Fresh

• Smart Slice Strategy: Cut cake into individual portions before refrigerating. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Fridge Freshness Window: Store decorated cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to preserve the delicate strawberry flavor.
• Freezing Friendly Option: Freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before assembling and frosting.
• Quick Room Temperature Tip: Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. This helps soften the frosting and enhances the cake's overall taste and texture.

Tools for Layering and Frosting Like a Baker

• Food processor or blender: Perfect for pureeing strawberries into smooth liquid.
• Medium saucepan: Essential for reducing strawberry puree to correct consistency.
• Large mixing bowl: Crucial for combining wet ingredients and mixing cake batter.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
• Cake leveler or sharp knife: Helps trim cake layers evenly.
• Three 8-inch round baking pans: Mandatory for creating cake layers.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal from pans.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Helps beat cream cheese and create smooth frosting.
• Offset spatula: Perfect for spreading frosting and creating smooth cake surface.
• Piping bag: Useful for decorative frosting application.
• Whisk: Helps combine dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Spatula: Helps fold and mix cake batter gently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness during baking.

Step-by-Step Cake and Frosting Instructions

• Strawberry Magic

Create a vibrant strawberry puree by blending fresh strawberries and reducing them in a saucepan until thick and concentrated. This magical reduction will infuse the cake with intense berry flavor.

• Cake Foundation

Combine wet ingredients like oil, butter, eggs, and sour cream in a large mixing bowl. The combination creates a rich, tender base that will make your cake wonderfully moist.

• Dry Ingredient Dance

Gently whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together. These powdery partners will provide structure and lift to your delightful dessert.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the batter into three round pans and bake until golden and springy. The oven will work its magic, turning your liquid mixture into a gorgeous cake.

• Frosting Fantasy

Whip cream cheese and heavy cream into a dreamy cloud-like texture. Incorporate ground freeze-dried strawberries for an intense berry essence that will make your frosting pop with flavor.

• Cake Assembly

Stack your cake layers with generous swirls of strawberry frosting between each level. Create smooth, elegant sides and decorate with fresh strawberries for a stunning final touch.

• Celebration

Slice and serve your masterpiece, watching friends and family marvel at your baking skills and savor each berry-packed bite.

Heavenly Strawberry Cake

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 8-18 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Home bakers will adore this classic strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, delivering sweet summer memories. Luscious layers of tender cake combine with silky strawberry-infused frosting, creating a delightful dessert you can savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz (453 g) strawberries, reduced
• 3 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (285 g) granulated sugar
• 16 oz (452 g) full-fat cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, cold
• 2 ¼ cups (531 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
• ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable oil
• 3 tbsps (42 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
• 2 tsps (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup (118 ml) milk
• 1 tsp (5 g) salt
• 2 tsps (7.5 g) baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 oz bag (34 g) freeze-dried strawberries
• ½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar
• Pink food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Strawberry Reduction: Pulverize ripe strawberries into a velvety puree, then simmer in a saucepan until thickened and concentrated, creating an intense fruity essence.
2. Preparation: Line three cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease to facilitate effortless cake release and maintain pristine shape.
3. Wet Ingredients Fusion: Whisk vegetable oil, melted butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract until seamlessly blended and luxuriously smooth.
4. Flavor Integration: Fold granulated sugar and cooled strawberry reduction into the wet mixture, developing a soft pink batter with profound fruity nuances.
5. Dry Ingredient Refinement: Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and ensure uniform leavening agent distribution.
6. Batter Composition: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk, minimizing stirring to preserve the cake’s tender texture.
7. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter across prepared pans, leveling surfaces to eliminate air pockets, then bake in a preheated oven until golden and a testing skewer emerges immaculately clean.
8. Strawberry Powder Preparation: Transform freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a food processor, concentrating intense fruit flavor.
9. Frosting Creation: Chill mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until silky, gradually introducing heavy cream to create a light, airy foundation.
10. Frosting Finalization: Blend strawberry powder, powdered sugar, and vanilla into the cream mixture, whipping until stiff peaks form and frosting maintains structural integrity.
11. Cake Assembly: Level cake layers, anchor first layer with frosting, then pipe and spread strawberry cream between tiers, applying a delicate crumb coat to seal loose particles.
12. Decorative Finish: Enrobe entire cake with remaining frosting using an offset spatula, achieving a pristine, professional appearance, and garnish with strategically placed fresh strawberries to accentuate the cake’s visual and flavor profile.

Notes

• Strawberry Intensity Tip: Reduce strawberry puree slowly to concentrate flavors and enhance natural sweetness without burning.
• Pan Preparation Hack: Use parchment paper and light grease to guarantee seamless cake removal and maintain perfect shape.
• Mixing Method Magic: Fold dry ingredients gently into wet mixture to prevent tough cake texture and preserve delicate crumb structure.
• Frosting Perfection Technique: Chill mixing bowl before whipping cream cheese to ensure smooth, stable frosting with optimal consistency.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 38-48 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg