Fresh Strawberry Cake Recipe: A Sweet Homemade Delight

Sweet summer memories bloom inside this fresh strawberry cake, bursting with vibrant crimson fruit and delicate crumb.

Memories of sun-drenched gardens inspire every delectable slice.

Ripe berries dance through layers of soft, pillowy goodness that melt softly on your tongue.

Delightful hints of vanilla complement the natural strawberry sweetness, creating a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

Light and airy textures promise a delicious experience for anyone seeking a perfect seasonal treat.

Baking this cake connects you with simple, wholesome ingredients that celebrate nature’s bounty.

Tempt your senses and let each forkful transport you to a picturesque strawberry field.

Why Fresh Strawberry Cake Feels Like Summer

• Create an authentic strawberry cake bursting with fresh fruit essence that tastes dramatically different from boxed mixes.
• Complete this delightful dessert in just over an hour, perfect for leisurely weekend baking without complex techniques.
• Craft a stunning cake that appeals to all ages, from kids who love sweet treats to adults appreciating sophisticated fruit flavors.
• Wow guests with a beautiful, professionally-looking cake that seems like it came straight from a bakery, making any celebration extra memorable.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Cake Magic

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple for creating soft, tender cake texture, choose unbleached for better flavor.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential for cake's rise and light structure, ensure they are fresh and not expired.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb, use unsalted for better control of salt content.
• Eggs: Adds structure, moisture, and helps bind ingredients together, room temperature works best.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender texture and adds subtle tanginess to the cake.

• Fresh Strawberries, Strawberry Reduction: Delivers intense strawberry flavor and natural sweetness, choose ripe, bright red berries.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with delicate consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out other flavors, use pure extract for best taste.
• Lemon Juice: Helps balance sweetness and brightens strawberry flavor.

• Heavy Cream: Adjusts buttercream consistency if needed, provides silky smooth texture.

Baking Instructions for a Juicy Strawberry Cake

Step 1: Prepare Strawberry Reduction

Toss strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens and becomes syrupy. Blend into a smooth puree and let it cool completely.

Step 2: Ready the Baking Station

Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat two round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until well blended.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Flavor

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and blend well.

Step 6: Create Cake Batter

Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture. Start and end with dry ingredients. Gently fold in strawberry reduction.

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool Cake Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Step 9: Whip Up Strawberry Buttercream

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar. Add strawberry reduction and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy. If needed, splash in heavy cream for smoother consistency.

Step 10: Assemble and Decorate

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread strawberry buttercream on top. Add second cake layer. Frost entire cake with remaining buttercream. Garnish with fresh strawberries.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Slice and serve this delightful strawberry cake to eager guests!

Tips for Fresh Flavor and Moist Crumb

• Boost Strawberry Flavor: Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the most intense natural sweetness and vibrant color in your cake.
• Perfect Puree Technique: Cool strawberry reduction completely before adding to batter to prevent uneven baking and maintain cake's delicate texture.
• Prevent Cake Sinking: Avoid overmixing batter and ensure ingredients are at room temperature to create a light, fluffy cake with consistent rise.
• Frosting Consistency Hack: Chill buttercream briefly if it becomes too soft, helping you achieve smooth, clean cake decorating results.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk and vegan butter to create a delicious plant-based version of this strawberry cake.

How to Keep Strawberry Cake at Its Best

• Store the strawberry cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its soft texture and enhance flavors.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power, or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to maintain moisture and freshness.

Light Treats That Go with Strawberry Cake

• Light, fruity rosé champagne complements the strawberry cake's sweet and delicate flavors, creating a perfect elegant pairing.
• Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm cake's texture, enhancing the strawberry's natural sweetness.
• Soft, floral chamomile tea balances the cake's richness, offering a gentle and soothing accompaniment that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Smooth white chocolate mocha's creamy sweetness harmonizes with the strawberry's tartness, creating a decadent and luxurious dessert experience.

Fresh Twists on Classic Strawberry Cake

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender while accommodating those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Strawberry Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and substitute buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a dairy-free, egg-free version.
• Low-Sugar Strawberry Option: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and incorporate more fresh strawberries to maintain natural sweetness without excessive added sugars.
• Dairy-Free Strawberry Sensation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, coconut oil in place of butter, and almond milk as a buttermilk alternative for those avoiding dairy products.

FAQs About Baking with Strawberries

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before cooking the reduction to ensure the right consistency.

• How do I prevent my cake from being too dense?

Make sure to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, and avoid overmixing the batter after adding the flour. This helps create a lighter, fluffier cake texture.

• What if my buttercream is too thick or thin?

If it’s too thick, add a little more heavy cream. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency for spreading.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Prepare the frosting just before assembling the cake for the best flavor and texture.

Fresh Strawberry Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Tempting strawberry cake blends sweet summer memories with homemade charm. Bold flavors and silky texture promise delightful indulgence for dessert enthusiasts eager to savor this classic treat.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + ½ teaspoon vinegar)
• ½ cup strawberry reduction

Fresh Strawberry Preparation:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup strawberry reduction
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 tablespoons (180 milliliters) heavy cream (if needed for consistency)

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant strawberry reduction by simmering fresh strawberries with sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat until the mixture thickens and develops a concentrated flavor.
2. Transform the reduction into a smooth puree using a blender, then allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
3. Prepare cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper, then preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
4. Create a dry ingredient blend by whisking together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
5. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increased in volume.
6. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough integration after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
7. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, beginning and concluding with the dry mixture to maintain a consistent texture.
8. Gently fold the prepared strawberry reduction into the cake batter, creating a marbled effect.
9. Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced layers.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the cake has a golden appearance.
11. Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
12. Prepare buttercream by beating butter until it becomes creamy and smooth.
13. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly to create a consistent frosting.
14. Enhance the buttercream by adding strawberry reduction and vanilla extract, beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
15. Adjust the frosting consistency with heavy cream if needed, creating a spreadable texture.
16. Assemble the cake by placing the first layer on a serving plate and spreading a generous layer of strawberry buttercream.
17. Position the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
18. Embellish the cake with fresh strawberries and serve immediately to showcase the vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Choose ripe, vibrant strawberries for maximum flavor intensity in the cake and reduction.
• Adjust sugar levels in the strawberry reduction based on the sweetness of your fruit for balanced taste.
• Consider straining the strawberry reduction for a smoother, more refined texture in the buttercream.
• Freeze cake layers for 30 minutes before frosting to prevent crumbs from mixing into the buttercream and create cleaner edges.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 395
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg