Strawberry Cake With Frosting Recipe

If you have a soft spot for fresh, fruity desserts, then you are going to absolutely adore this Strawberry Cake With Frosting Recipe. It’s a heavenly celebration of ripe strawberries blended into a tender, moist cake, layered lovingly with a luscious strawberry frosting that’s bursting with natural berry flavor. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and freshness, making it a showstopper for birthdays, afternoon teas, or simply any day you crave a slice of happiness. This recipe is straightforward enough to bake with ease yet offers that magical homemade touch that elevates strawberry cake to a whole new level.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients in this recipe are simple pantry staples and fresh strawberries that come together to create an irresistible texture and flavor profile. Each component plays a key role in delivering the perfect strawberry cake— from the fluffy crumb to the silky frosting.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our tender cake, providing structure without heaviness.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents that ensure your cake rises beautifully and stays light.
• Salt: Enhances the other flavors and balances sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture both in the cake and frosting.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly while helping create a soft texture.
• Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add tenderness.
• Vanilla extract: Provides a warm, aromatic depth that complements the strawberries.
• Fresh strawberries, pureed: The star ingredient—lends vibrant color, natural sweetness, and unmistakable strawberry flavor.
• Whole milk (or buttermilk): Adds moisture and contributes to a tender crumb.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft for days.
• Powdered sugar: The base of our fluffy, smooth frosting.
• Heavy cream: Adjusts frosting consistency for that perfect spreadable texture.
• Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness in the frosting brilliantly.

How to Make Strawberry Cake With Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to ensure your cakes come out clean and ready for frosting.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step evenly distributes your leavening agents and salt so your cake rises perfectly and tastes balanced.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This stage incorporates air which plays a huge part in achieving a wonderfully tender cake texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Add the vanilla extract to enhance the cake’s flavor foundation with a lovely aromatic hint that pairs beautifully with the strawberries.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix the fresh strawberry puree, milk, and vegetable oil. Slowly add this to the butter mixture, blending gently to keep the batter light while infusing vibrant strawberry flavor throughout the cake.

Step 6: Join Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until combined. Overmixing here could cost the cake its tender crumb, so a careful hand is key!

Step 7: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This guarantees each layer is perfectly baked—moist but firm enough to hold the frosting.

Step 8: Cool the Cakes

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully prevents the frosting from melting and helps your layers stay perfectly intact.

Step 9: Prepare the Strawberry Frosting

Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add in powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, for a smooth and fluffy frosting base. This makes the frosting luxuriously rich and spreadable.

Step 10: Add Strawberry Puree and Flavorings

Incorporate fresh strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the frosting. Keep beating until the mixture becomes light and airy—this step infuses the frosting with fresh fruity brightness and a balanced sweetness.

Step 11: Adjust Frosting Consistency

If the frosting ends up too thick, gently beat in heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the perfect spreading consistency. This ensures your frosting is not only flavorful but also easy to work with.

Step 12: Assemble and Frost the Cake

Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous layer of frosting over it. Top with the second layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining strawberry frosting, covering the top and sides evenly for a stunning finish.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Slice into your homemade strawberry cake and prepare for a delightful taste experience that bursts with fresh strawberry goodness in every bite. It’s a treat that’s as lovely as it is delicious.

How to Serve Strawberry Cake With Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

To take this cake from delicious to downright dazzling, garnish with fresh sliced strawberries, a few mint leaves, or even colorful edible flowers. These touches create gorgeous presentation and boost the fresh, fruity experience.

Side Dishes

This strawberry cake pairs wonderfully with light accompaniments like a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a simple mixed berry salad. These sides enhance the fruity theme without overpowering the cake’s flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this cake as mini-layered cupcakes for a party, or create a trifle version by layering cake cubes and frosting with fresh strawberries in glass bowls. Both ideas make the strawberry cake even more versatile and fun to enjoy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover strawberry cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and the cake moist. It usually stays delicious for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake layers without frosting for up to 2 months. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then frost as usual for a freshly made taste.

Reheating

Since this cake is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, reheating is not recommended. However, allowing chilled cake to sit out for about 30 minutes before serving lets the flavors and texture shine through beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid from the strawberries before pureeing to avoid making the batter too wet.

What can I substitute for buttermilk in this recipe?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to add the same tang and tenderness to the cake.

How do I prevent the frosting from being too sweet?

Adding a pinch of salt and fresh strawberry puree helps balance the sweetness naturally. You can also reduce the powdered sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet frosting.

Is it necessary to use vegetable oil along with butter?

Using vegetable oil along with butter keeps the cake extra moist and soft, but you can omit it if you want a firmer texture—just know the cake might be slightly less tender.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, with a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum, you can create a strawberry cake close in taste and texture to the original.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Cake With Frosting Recipe is a delightful way to showcase fresh strawberries in a homemade dessert that feels special yet is surprisingly easy to make. Once you try it, you’ll see just how simple ingredients and a little love transform into a stunning, flavorful cake that everyone will ask for again and again. So, why wait? Gather your ingredients and bake this beautiful strawberry dream today—you won’t regret it!

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