Dreamy Strawberry Cake Recipe: The Best Ever Sweet Delight

Sweet summers whisper memories of my grandmother’s beloved strawberry cake that instantly transports me to childhood kitchens.

Fragrant berries dance across delicate layers, promising pure delight.

Memories of baking together spark joy in every slice.

Perfectly ripe strawberries create magical moments of pure culinary happiness.

Soft crumb and luscious frosting invite you to savor each incredible bite.

Simple ingredients become extraordinary through loving preparation.

This recipe will make you the star of any gathering.

FAQs for Strawberry Cake Fans

• Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before simmering to reduce them into a puree.

• How do I know if I'm overmixing the batter?

Stop mixing as soon as the flour is just incorporated. Overmixing can make the cake tough and dense, reducing its light and fluffy texture.

• Is it necessary to use sour cream in the recipe?

Sour cream adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb. If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with Greek yogurt for similar results.

• What if I don't want to use food coloring?

The cake will still be delicious without food coloring. The natural strawberry puree will give a slight pink tint to the cake, creating a natural and appetizing color.

Why This Is the Best Strawberry Cake Ever

• Bake a strawberry cake that brings pure joy to your kitchen.
• Create a stunning dessert with simple ingredients and straightforward steps anyone can master.
• Whip up this cake in under an hour, perfect for spontaneous baking moments or last-minute gatherings.
• Guaranteed to make kids and adults smile with its vibrant color and irresistible strawberry flavor.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational dry ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender crumb and adds luxurious flavor to the cake.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's moisture and texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cake's structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor and enhances other ingredients.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create smooth cake batter.
• Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and helps create a tender, moist cake.

• Fresh Strawberries: Primary flavoring ingredient that gives natural fruity essence to the cake.
• Red Food Coloring (Optional): Helps enhance the strawberry pink color of the cake.

Step-by-Step Guide for Strawberry Cake

Step 1: Transform Strawberries into Liquid Gold

Toss fresh strawberries into a saucepan and let them simmer gently over medium heat. Watch as they break down and become a luscious, concentrated puree. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely, creating an intense strawberry essence.

Step 2: Prep the Baking Stage

Warm up the oven to a cozy 350°F. Lovingly prepare cake pans by coating them with butter and a light dusting of flour, or line with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 3: Craft the Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Set this powdery mixture aside, ready to work its magic.

Step 4: Whip Up Butter and Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture. This should take about 2-3 minutes of passionate whisking.

Step 5: Introduce Eggs and Vanilla

Gently fold in eggs one at a time, allowing each to incorporate fully. Splash in vanilla extract, creating a fragrant base for your cake.

Step 6: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Half of the flour mixture
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Remaining flour

Mix until just combined- resist the urge to overmix! For an extra pop of color, add a few drops of red food coloring.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter evenly between cake pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 28-32 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 8: Cool and Prepare for Frosting

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before adorning with your favorite frosting.

Tips to Make the Best Strawberry Cake Ever

• Choose Ripe Strawberries: Select fragrant, deep red strawberries at peak ripeness for the most intense flavor and natural sweetness in your cake.
• Prevent Soggy Cake: Pat strawberries dry after pureeing to remove excess moisture and ensure your cake maintains a perfect, light texture.
• Control Mixing Technique: Gently fold ingredients together to avoid developing gluten, which can make the cake tough and dense.
• Enhance Color Naturally: Skip artificial food coloring by using strawberry puree, which provides a beautiful soft pink hue and boosts fruity flavor.
• Test Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick at a 45-degree angle into cake's center; if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is perfectly baked.

Storage Tips for Strawberry Cake

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place inside a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, ensuring it's covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap.
• Wrap individual cake slices or whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best texture, let cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying to restore moisture and softness.

Strawberry Cake Pairings You’ll Love

• Pair the cake with chilled strawberry sorbet or a fresh strawberry compote to amplify the fruity essence and create a harmonious flavor profile.
• Serve alongside a dollop of mascarpone cream or vanilla bean whipped cream to balance the cake's sweetness and provide a luxurious textural contrast.
• Select a crisp rosé wine or a light sparkling moscato to enhance the cake's delicate strawberry notes and add a sophisticated touch to the dessert experience.
• Enjoy with a chilled strawberry iced tea or a light strawberry smoothie to create a refreshing and cohesive strawberry-themed dessert moment.

New Twists on Strawberry Cake

Gluten-Free Strawberry Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and moisture for those with wheat sensitivities.

Vegan Berry Celebration: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use vegan butter, and replace dairy milk with almond milk to create a plant-based version of this classic cake.

Low-Sugar Berry Treat: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cake’s natural strawberry flavor.

Dairy-Free Strawberry Dream: Use coconut milk instead of dairy milk, coconut cream instead of sour cream, and plant-based margarine to make this recipe accessible for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Summertime sweetness meets pure bliss in this heavenly strawberry cake that dances with ripe, juicy flavors. Delicate layers of moist strawberry-infused cake combine with silky cream cheese frosting, promising pure delight that you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, pureed (or frozen, thawed)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Few drops of red food coloring (optional, for a deeper pink color)

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder (or ¼ cup strawberry puree)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 23 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Gently cook strawberries in a saucepan over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors. Remove from heat and let the puree cool completely to room temperature.
2. Warm the oven to 350F (175C). Thoroughly coat two 9-inch cake pans with butter and flour, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Create a uniform dry ingredient mixture and set aside.
4. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increases in volume, approximately 2-3 minutes.
5. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until well combined.
6. Fold the cooled strawberry puree into the wet ingredients. Gradually add half the flour mixture, then introduce milk and sour cream. Complete the batter by adding remaining flour, stirring until ingredients are just incorporated. Optional: enhance the color with a few drops of red food coloring for a vibrant pink hue.
7. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, smoothing the surfaces. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-32 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
8. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack. Permit cakes to cool completely before applying frosting or decorating.

Notes

• Carefully reduce strawberry puree to concentrate flavor and avoid watery cake texture.
• Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for the most intense natural color and taste.
• Ensure ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother, more even mixing.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check cake doneness for perfectly moist results.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg