Perfect Summer Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake Recipe

Sweet strawberry lemon layer cake brings vibrant flavors that dance across your palate with delightful complexity.

Bright citrus notes mingle beautifully with luscious berry undertones, creating a refreshing dessert experience.

Delicate layers promise a sophisticated balance between tart and sweet sensations.

Soft, moist textures combine with zesty ingredients that elevate this classic dessert beyond ordinary expectations.

Elegant yet approachable, this cake represents a perfect harmony of complementary flavor profiles.

Light and summery, the recipe revolutionizes simple ingredients into a show-stopping centerpiece for any gathering.

Culinary enthusiasts and casual bakers alike will appreciate the nuanced balance of fruity ingredients.

What to Expect from Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake

• Burst with Fruity Freshness: This strawberry lemon layer cake delivers an explosion of vibrant strawberry and zesty lemon flavors that dance perfectly together, creating a refreshing and bright dessert experience.
• Luxurious Texture Harmony: The delicate vanilla lemon sponge combines with creamy mascarpone frosting and sweet strawberry jam, offering a multilayered texture adventure that transitions smoothly from soft cake to silky cream.
• Master Elegant Baking Technique: The recipe showcases advanced baking skills like whipping egg whites to stiff peaks, creating a light and airy sponge that demonstrates culinary sophistication without overwhelming complexity.
• Perfect for Special Celebrations: This stunning rectangular layer cake becomes a showstopping dessert ideal for brunch gatherings, summer parties, birthdays, or elegant afternoon tea events where visual appeal and taste are equally important.

Strawberry Lemon Cake Ingredients Guide

• Strawberries: Sweet, ripe berries perfect for creating a vibrant homemade jam with natural sweetness and bright color.
• Lemon: Fresh citrus that adds tangy brightness and helps balance the sweetness of the strawberries.

• Eggs: Fresh eggs with separated whites and yolks create a light, airy sponge cake texture.
• Sugar: Fine granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps stabilize the cake's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure extract that adds warm, classic flavor to the sponge cake.
• Flour: All-purpose flour creates the cake's fundamental structure and tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Mascarpone Cheese: Creamy Italian cheese that provides rich, smooth texture to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Fine sugar that sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Whipping Cream: Chilled cream that adds lightness and volume to the mascarpone frosting.
• Fresh Strawberries: Whole berries used for decorative garnish and added fresh flavor.

Instructions for Baking a Lemon Strawberry Layer Cake

Step 1: Crafting Strawberry Jam

• Select ripe strawberries
• Chop strawberries into small pieces
• Combine strawberries with sugar and fresh lemon juice in a saucepan
• Simmer on medium heat, stirring occasionally
• Cook until mixture thickens and becomes glossy
• Remove from heat and let cool completely

Step 2: Preparing Cake Batter

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Gather cake ingredients
• Separate egg whites from yolks
• Whisk egg yolks with sugar until creamy
• Add vanilla extract and lemon zest
• Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into mixture
• Gently fold ingredients together
• Whip egg whites until fluffy
• Fold whipped egg whites into batter carefully

Step 3: Baking Sponge Layers

• Line baking sheets with parchment paper
• Spread batter evenly on sheets
• Bake for 10-12 minutes
• Check doneness with toothpick
• Cool sponge layers completely
• Dust with powdered sugar

Step 4: Creating Mascarpone Frosting

• Beat mascarpone cheese until smooth
• Add powdered sugar
• Mix in vanilla and lemon zest
• Gradually incorporate whipping cream
• Whip until frosting forms stiff peaks

Step 5: Assembling Cake

• Cut sponge layers into four equal pieces
• Place first layer on serving platter
• Spread strawberry jam evenly
• Add mascarpone frosting layer
• Repeat layering process
• Refrigerate for minimum one hour

Step 6: Finishing Touches

• Trim cake edges for clean presentation
• Slice into rectangular portions
• Pipe whipped cream on top
• Garnish with fresh strawberry halves
• Serve chilled and enjoy

Tips for a Fluffy and Moist Lemon Cake

• Chill Ingredients Beforehand: Keep mascarpone cheese and whipping cream cold for smoother, more stable frosting that holds its shape perfectly.
• Fold Egg Whites Gently: Use a delicate folding technique to maintain the airiness of whipped egg whites, ensuring a light and fluffy sponge cake texture.
• Test Jam Consistency: Cook strawberry jam until it coats the back of a spoon, creating a thick, spreadable mixture that won't make the cake soggy.
• Even Layer Technique: Use an offset spatula to spread batter and frosting uniformly, guaranteeing consistent thickness and a professional-looking cake.
• Room Temperature Eggs: Let eggs sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before separating, which helps create more volume when whipping egg whites and provides better cake structure.

How to Store and Reheat Strawberry Lemon Cake

• Refrigerate: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Freeze: Layer the cake between parchment paper and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Serve Chilled: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the mascarpone frosting to soften slightly, enhancing its creamy texture and flavor.

Best Sides to Serve with Strawberry Lemon Cake

• Boost Fruity Freshness: Pair this strawberry lemon layer cake with a crisp prosecco or sparkling rosé wine to complement the cake's bright citrus and berry notes.
• Elevate Creamy Texture: Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk or a smooth vanilla latte to balance the cake's rich mascarpone frosting and enhance its delicate flavors.
• Amplify Citrus Zing: Match the dessert with a light limoncello cocktail or chilled herbal tea to echo the lemon zest and create a refreshing palate experience.
• Contrast Sweet Layers: Add a small scoop of tangy lemon sorbet or a dollop of whipped cream to provide a cool, creamy counterpoint to the cake's warm, soft texture.

Recipe Variations for Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake

• Berry Burst Bliss: Replace strawberry jam with a mixed berry compote using raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant, multi-berry flavor profile.
• Citrus Sunshine Remix: Swap lemon zest with orange zest and add a splash of Grand Marnier to the frosting for a bright, zesty orange-infused cake experience.
• Lavender Honey Dream: Incorporate dried lavender buds into the sponge batter and drizzle honey between layers for a delicate, aromatic twist on the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Strawberry Fusion: Fold cocoa powder into the sponge batter and add a thin layer of dark chocolate ganache between the strawberry jam and mascarpone frosting for a rich, decadent variation.

Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Strawberry lemon layer cake brings zesty citrus and sweet berry bliss together in one spectacular dessert. Delicate lemon-infused cake layers nestled between luscious strawberry cream promise a refreshing slice of pure summer indulgence you won’t want to miss.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

Sponge Cake:

• 8 eggs, separated
• 1 cup (200g / 7 ounces) sugar
• 1 cup (125g / 4.4 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (5g) vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon

Dry Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon (2g) baking powder
• ½ teaspoon (2g) salt

Filling and Frosting:

• 1 pound (450g / 16 ounces) fresh or frozen strawberries
• ⅓ cup (70g / 2.5 ounces) sugar
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 pound (500g / 17.6 ounces) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• ¾ cup (90g / 3.2 ounces) powdered sugar
• 1 ⅔ cup (400g / 14.1 ounces) whipping cream (35% fat), chilled
• 1 teaspoon (5g) vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 large lemon
• 10 ounces (300g) whipping cream
• Fresh strawberries, halved

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Instructions

1. Craft the strawberry jam ahead of time by combining fresh strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan, gently simmering until the mixture thickens and reaches a jam-like consistency.
2. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper for the delicate sponge cake.
3. Carefully separate egg whites from yolks, creating two distinct mixtures for the cake base.
4. Whisk egg yolks with sugar until the mixture becomes pale and creamy, then incorporate vanilla extract and lemon zest to enhance the flavor profile.
5. Sift dry ingredients directly into the yolk mixture, folding gently to create a smooth, light batter.
6. Whip egg whites to a fluffy consistency, gradually introducing the remaining sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
7. Fold the whipped egg whites into the yolk mixture with a delicate touch, maintaining the airiness of the batter.
8. Spread the batter evenly across prepared baking sheets, ensuring uniform thickness for consistent baking.
9. Bake the sponge cake until golden and a toothpick emerges clean, then immediately dust with powdered sugar and transfer to a clean parchment surface.
10. For the mascarpone frosting, whip the cheese until silky smooth, gradually blending in powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest.
11. Incorporate chilled whipping cream into the mascarpone mixture, beating until the frosting forms luxurious, stable peaks.
12. Carefully slice each cooled sponge cake horizontally, creating four elegant layers for the final assembly.
13. Anchor the first layer to the serving platter with a thin frosting base, then generously spread strawberry jam across the surface.
14. Apply a thick layer of mascarpone frosting over the jam, creating a harmonious flavor balance.
15. Continue layering sponge, jam, and frosting, alternating with precision and care.
16. Refrigerate the assembled cake to allow flavors to meld and structure to set firmly.
17. Before serving, trim the cake edges for a polished appearance and slice into perfect rectangular portions.
18. Finish by piping delicate whipped cream decorations and garnishing with fresh strawberry halves for a stunning presentation.

Notes

• Make strawberry jam ahead of time to ensure it’s completely cooled before assembling the cake.
• Carefully separate egg whites and yolks for a light, airy sponge cake texture.
• Fold egg whites gently into the batter to maintain maximum volume and create a delicate crumb.
• Chill the cake for at least an hour to help layers set and enhance flavor melding.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cake consistency.
• Trim cake edges for a professional-looking presentation that showcases beautiful layers.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 27g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 95mg