Strawberry cake is a delightful dessert that brings the taste of summer to your kitchen all year round. It’s a soft, moist cake layered or infused with real strawberries, topped with sweet cream or frosting. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, enjoying a sunny afternoon, or just craving something fruity and sweet, strawberry cake is a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect balance of fluffy texture and fruity flavor, making it a favorite among kids and adults alike.
Quick Facts
Here’s a quick look at what you’re about to whip up:
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 8 |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30 minutes |
| Calories | Approx. 330 per slice |
Equipment Needed
Before you get started, make sure you’ve got the right tools. Having the right equipment can make baking faster, smoother, and much more fun. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mixing bowls (at least two – one large, one medium)
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer (for smooth batter)
- Measuring cups and spoons (accuracy matters!)
- Rubber spatula (great for folding and scraping batter)
- Whisk (for blending dry ingredients)
- Cake pans (two 8-inch round pans or one 9×13-inch pan)
- Oven (preheated to the right temp)
- Wire cooling rack (for cooling the cake evenly)
- Knife or cake leveler (optional, for layered cakes)
- Blender or food processor (for fresh strawberry purée)
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need for the cake and frosting:
For the Strawberry Cake:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, puréed
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2–3 drops red food coloring (optional, for color boost)
For the Strawberry Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup strawberry purée (thickened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Let’s get baking! Follow these easy steps for a perfect strawberry cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans.
- Blend fresh strawberries into a smooth purée. Set aside 1½ cups for the batter.
- Mix dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add eggs one by one, then vanilla extract.
- Alternate mixing in dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with the dry mix. Add strawberry purée and optional food coloring.
- Pour batter into your prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes on a wire rack completely before frosting.
2.4.1. Essential Note:
Let the cake cool completely before frosting — warm cake melts the buttercream and makes a mess. Also, use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and even baking. If your strawberries are too watery, simmer the purée for 5–10 minutes to thicken it before using in the frosting.
