Irresistible Paula Deen Strawberry Cake Recipe From Scratch

Paula Deen’s strawberry cake dazzles with a symphony of sweetness that captivates dessert lovers.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this remarkable confection, turning humble ingredients into pure magic.

Luscious layers whisper tales of ripe, sun-kissed strawberries bursting with natural intensity.

Silky frosting drapes over tender crumb, creating a heavenly texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Each slice promises a delectable journey through fruity bliss, tempting even the most discerning palates.

This stunning pink masterpiece transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Unlock the secret to dessert perfection that will leave everyone craving more!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 11

What Goes Into Paula’s Strawberry Cake

• Cake Mix: Select a high-quality white or vanilla mix for optimal texture.
• Strawberry Gelatin: Choose a bright, vibrant brand for intense strawberry flavor.
• Pureed Strawberries: Pick ripe, sweet berries at peak season for natural sweetness.
• Eggs: Use fresh, room temperature eggs for smooth batter consistency.
• Vegetable Oil: Select a neutral-flavored oil for light cake texture.
• Water: Use filtered water for clean, pure taste.

• Softened Butter: Allow butter to reach room temperature for easy mixing.
• Cream Cheese: Select full-fat cream cheese for rich, creamy frosting.
• Strawberry Puree: Blend fresh strawberries for authentic, bright flavor.
• Strawberry Extract: Choose pure extract for concentrated strawberry essence.
• Confectioner's Sugar: Sift sugar to prevent lumpy frosting texture.

• Fresh Strawberry Slices: Select firm, glossy berries with deep red color for beautiful decoration.

Tools for Baking a Sweet Strawberry Cake

• Electric mixer: Handheld or stand mixer for blending cake batter and frosting smoothly.
• Large mixing bowls: Spacious containers for combining ingredients and mixing cake batter and frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 9-inch round cake pans: Two pans for baking cake layers evenly.
• Cooking spray or butter: For greasing cake pans to prevent sticking.
• Toothpick: Used to check cake doneness by testing center.
• Wire cooling racks: Allows cake layers to cool completely and evenly.
• Rubber spatula: Helps scrape and spread frosting smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Optional for slicing fresh strawberries as garnish.

How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Cake (Paula’s Way)

• Fire Up the Oven

Kick off your baking adventure by warming the oven to a cozy 350°F. Quickly spray or butter two round cake pans to prevent any sticky situations.

• Mix Magical Batter

Dive into a mixing bowl and combine cake mix, strawberry gelatin, fruity puree, eggs, oil, and water. Blend everything with an electric mixer until the mixture looks silky smooth and begs to become a delicious cake.

• Bake and Check

Pour the vibrant batter into prepared pans, spreading it evenly. Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Peek inside by inserting a toothpick – a clean toothpick means your cake is ready to shine.

• Cool and Prepare

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then gently transfer to cooling racks. While they cool, get ready to create the most incredible strawberry frosting ever.

• Craft Dreamy Frosting

In a bowl, whip softened butter and cream cheese until they’re light and fluffy. Splash in strawberry puree and extract, then gradually fold in powdered sugar until the frosting becomes a creamy dream.

• Create Your Masterpiece

Layer the cake with luscious frosting, covering the top and sides completely. For an extra wow factor, sprinkle fresh strawberry slices on top and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Flavor Upgrades for Strawberry Cake Lovers

• Boost Strawberry Flavor: Swap standard strawberry gelatin for intense homemade strawberry reduction to elevate cake's natural berry essence.
• Texture Trick: Fold chopped fresh strawberries into cake batter for unexpected bursts of juicy fruit throughout each delightful slice.
• Frosting Flexibility: Replace cream cheese with mascarpone for a silkier, European-style frosting that delivers richer, more elegant flavor profile.
• Decoration Delight: Create elegant cake design by piping frosting rosettes around edges or sprinkling crushed freeze-dried strawberries for sophisticated visual appeal.

Beautiful Ways to Present Strawberry Cake

• Serve with Sweet Companions: Pair the strawberry cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the fruity flavor.
• Create a Festive Dessert Plate: Arrange fresh strawberry slices around the cake and dust with powdered sugar for a stunning presentation that elevates the cake's visual appeal.
• Add Complementary Beverage Pairings: Enjoy the cake with a light champagne, strawberry smoothie, or hot tea to complement the sweet strawberry notes and create a delightful dessert experience.
• Customize for Special Occasions: Decorate the cake with edible flowers, chocolate shavings, or personalized fondant decorations to make it perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, or summer gatherings.

Keeping Strawberry Cake Fresh and Moist

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its delightful texture and flavor intact.
• Refrigerate with Care: When storing longer, place the cake in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its soft crumb.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months, ensuring a delicious treat is always within reach.
• Thaw Like a Pro: Remove frozen cake from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving to restore its original moist and fluffy texture.

Mouthwatering Paula Deen Strawberry Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Rich and creamy paula deen strawberry cake delivers Southern dessert perfection with layers of moist strawberry-infused cake and luscious cream cheese frosting. Strawberry lovers will savor each delectable bite of this classic Southern sweet treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (18.25 oz / 517 g) white cake mix
• 1 (3 oz / 85 g) strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
• 1 (15 oz / 425 g) frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (57 g) butter, softened
• 7 cups (840 g) confectioner’s sugar
• ¼ cup strawberry puree
• ½ tsp strawberry extract
• Freshly sliced strawberries (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and thoroughly spray two 9-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Mixing Base: Combine strawberry cake mix and strawberry gelatin powder in a large mixing bowl, ensuring complete integration of dry ingredients.
3. Batter Creation: Whip strawberry puree, eggs, vegetable oil, and water into the dry mixture using an electric mixer at medium speed until achieving a silky, uniform consistency without lumps.
4. Pan Filling: Evenly distribute the vibrant pink batter between prepared cake pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula for uniform thickness.
5. Baking Process: Bake for 25-30 minutes, testing cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
6. Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks to reach complete room temperature.
7. Frosting Preparation: Blend softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth, then incorporate strawberry puree and strawberry extract to create a luscious pink frosting.
8. Sugar Integration: Gradually sift confectioner’s sugar into the frosting mixture, mixing until achieving a spreadable, velvety texture.
9. Cake Assembly: Place first cake layer on serving plate, spread frosting evenly, position second layer on top, and completely enrobe cake with remaining strawberry frosting.
10. Presentation: Optional – garnish cake exterior with delicately sliced fresh strawberries for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Prevent Cake Sticking: Thoroughly grease pans and consider using parchment paper for easier cake removal.
• Achieve Smooth Batter: Mix ingredients at room temperature and beat until no lumps remain for a silky texture.
• Check Cake Doneness: Use the toothpick test – insert into center, and if it comes out clean, cake is perfectly baked.
• Frosting Consistency Tip: Allow cream cheese and butter to soften completely for a smooth, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg