Dreamy Strawberry Country Cake Recipe by Ina Garten

Ina Garten’s strawberry country cake whispers tales of summer’s golden embrace, weaving nostalgia into every delectable crumb.

Sunlight-kissed berries nestle between tender layers, creating a symphony of rustic elegance.

Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of lazy afternoons and farmhouse kitchens.

Velvety textures blend seamlessly with bursts of sweet-tart fruit, transforming simple ingredients into pure magic.

Each forkful transports you to a world of comforting memories and seasonal bliss.

Baking this cake is more than a recipe, it’s a love letter to summer’s bounty.

You’ll fall head over heels for this irresistible masterpiece that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Strawberry Country Cake

• Unsalted Butter: Select high-quality, fresh butter with a creamy texture and rich yellow color.
• Sugar: Choose fine-granulated sugar for smooth blending and consistent sweetness.
• Sour Cream: Pick fresh, full-fat sour cream for enhanced moisture and tangy flavor.
• Eggs: Use room temperature, large eggs with clean, uncracked shells.

• Lemon Zest, Orange Zest: Select bright, firm citrus fruits with vibrant, aromatic peels.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract with deep, complex flavor notes.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornstarch: Pick fresh, sifted flour without clumps or moisture.
• Salt, Baking Soda: Use fresh, non-clumping ingredients for consistent cake texture.

• Heavy Cream: Select chilled, high-fat cream for stable, fluffy peaks.
• Granulated Sugar: Use fine sugar for smooth incorporation.

• Fresh Strawberries: Choose ripe, bright red berries with firm, glossy surfaces.

Tools to Bake Ina’s Rustic Strawberry Cake

• Electric Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and whipping cream smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
• Cake Pans (8-inch): Needed for baking the cake layers evenly.
• Spatula: Great for scraping bowl sides and smoothing cake batter.
• Sifter: Helps blend dry ingredients and prevent lumps.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Ensures cake cools evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Useful for mixing and incorporating ingredients smoothly.
• Serving Platter: Provides a beautiful presentation for the finished cake.

Instructions for Ina’s Signature Strawberry Country Cake

Create Dreamy Lemon Strawberry Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F. Butter and dust two cake pans with flour, making sure every inch is covered so your cake glides out perfectly.

• Mix Magic Ingredients

Grab your mixing bowl and whip butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy dream. Drop in eggs one by one, stirring gently. Splash in sour cream, sprinkle zesty lemon and orange peels, and add a dash of vanilla. Blend until everything dances together smoothly.

• Combine Dry Elements

Sift flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda through a fine mesh. This secret technique ensures your cake will be silky and tender.

• Craft the Batter

Slowly fold dry ingredients into your creamy mixture. Stir gently – too much mixing makes cakes tough. You want a batter that’s smooth and light as a whisper.

• Bake and Cool

Pour batter evenly into pans. Slide into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let cake rest in pans, then transfer to cooling racks.

• Whip Up Cream Clouds

Whip chilled cream until it forms dreamy peaks. Fold in sugar and vanilla for extra deliciousness.

• Build Your Cake Masterpiece

Slice cake horizontally. Layer with fluffy cream and fresh strawberries. Crown with more cream and strawberry slices. Slice and serve your stunning creation!

Tips for a Fluffier Strawberry Cake the Ina Way

Layer in personal flavor and texture variations to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Replace lemon and orange zests with lime or grapefruit zests for a surprising tangy twist that awakens taste buds.

Mix different berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries instead of strawberries to create exciting flavor combinations and vibrant color patterns.

Use gluten-free flour blend and cornstarch to transform this classic recipe into a delicious option for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste or texture.

Chill mixing bowl and whisk in freezer for 15 minutes before whipping cream to achieve faster, more stable peaks that hold their shape beautifully on the cake.

How to Present Ina’s Country Cake with Flair

• Craft a Stunning Centerpiece: Arrange the cake on an elegant cake stand, surrounded by scattered fresh strawberries and mint leaves for a professional bakery-style presentation.
• Create Personalized Slices: Cut generous wedges and serve on individual dessert plates, garnishing each slice with a dollop of extra whipped cream and a few whole strawberries on the side.
• Pair with Complementary Beverages: Serve alongside chilled champagne, light prosecco, or a refreshing strawberry iced tea to enhance the cake's citrusy and sweet flavors.
• Elevate the Dining Experience: Dust the cake lightly with powdered sugar just before serving to add a delicate, sophisticated touch that makes the dessert look even more irresistible.

Storing and Freezing Strawberry Cake Leftovers

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Advance Prep Power: Bake cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store wrapped tightly in plastic film at room temperature to maintain moisture and freshness.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store assembled cake in sealed container for 3-4 days. Keep whipped cream layer protected from air to prevent weeping and texture changes.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap unfrosted cake layers in double plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before decorating for best texture and flavor preservation.
• Serving Smart: Remove cake from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow whipped cream to soften and flavors to develop. Slice with a clean, warm knife for perfect presentation.

Heavenly Strawberry Country Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s strawberry country cake combines fresh strawberries and rich cream in a classic dessert from the Barefoot Contessa. Delicate layers promise sweet summer memories for home bakers seeking elegant simplicity.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (240 ml), chilled
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (170 g) sour cream, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
• ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
• 3 tbsps sugar
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• ½ tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans meticulously to ensure smooth cake release.
2. Batter Creation: Whip butter and sugar until ethereally light. Introduce eggs individually, blending thoroughly. Fold in sour cream, citrus zests, and vanilla, maintaining a silky, homogeneous mixture by scraping bowl edges periodically.
3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda together, eliminating potential lumps. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using low-speed mixing, stopping precisely when combined to preserve cake’s delicate texture.
4. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Bake 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted centrally emerges pristine and clean.
5. Cooling Technique: Rest cakes in pans for 30 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Allow complete cooling to maintain structural integrity and prevent moisture accumulation.
6. Cream Preparation: Whip chilled heavy cream until peaks stand firm. Delicately incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a luxurious, cloud-like topping.
7. Assembly and Decoration: Slice one cake horizontally. Position bottom layer on serving platter. Spread half the whipped cream and arrange strawberry slices strategically. Crown with second cake layer, lavishly covering with remaining cream and fresh strawberries. Briefly refrigerate to set cream and enhance flavor melding.

Notes

• Butter and Sugar Technique: Cream butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes to create a light, fluffy base that ensures a tender cake texture.
• Egg Incorporation Method: Add eggs one at a time, fully blending each before adding the next to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix dry ingredients into wet mixture at low speed, stopping just when combined to prevent a dense, tough cake.
• Cooling Strategy: Allow cakes to cool in pans for 30 minutes before transferring to wire racks, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining cake structure.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 48 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg