If you’re looking for the best strawberry cake recipe, you’ve come to the right place! This cake is a family favorite, and I remember the first time I baked it for my son, Jake. He took one bite and exclaimed, 'This is the best cake ever, Mom!' Trust me, you’ll want to make this for every special occasion.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.
- The cream cheese frosting adds a delightful tang.
- Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or just because.
Pure Comfort
This strawberry cake is pure comfort food. It’s light, fluffy, and the cream cheese frosting makes it feel like a treat from a bakery. Plus, the vibrant pink color is sure to brighten up any gathering!
What You Need
- 2 sticks 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Use room temperature for easy mixing.
- 200 g 2 cups granulated sugar – Can substitute with coconut sugar for a healthier option.
- 4 4 large eggs – Bring to room temperature for better mixing.
- 240 g 2 cups all-purpose flour – Sifted for a lighter texture.
- 8 oz 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed – Use ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- 1 1 tsp baking powder – Double-acting for better rise.
- 1/2 1/2 tsp baking soda – Helps with leavening.
- 1/4 1/4 tsp salt – Enhances the sweetness.
- 1 1 tsp vanilla extract – For added flavor.
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened – Use full-fat for richer frosting.
- 480 g 4 cups powdered sugar – Sifted to avoid lumps.
- 30 ml 2 tbsp milk – Adjust for desired frosting consistency.
Time to Cook
Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Total: 1 hour | Difficulty: Medium | Make-Ahead: Yes, the cake can be made a day in advance.
Steps to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. This helps the cakes release easily after baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and airy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The batter should be smooth and creamy.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the pureed strawberries. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cakes should be lightly golden.
- Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from sticking.
- While the cakes cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Mix in the milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake, then place the second cake on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake generously. Don’t worry about being perfect; a little rustic charm is always welcome.
- For a fun touch, decorate with fresh strawberries on top. Slice and serve to your eager family and friends!
Make It Perfect
- Always use room temperature ingredients for better mixing.
- If you want a stronger strawberry flavor, add a bit of strawberry extract to the batter.
- Make sure the cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
Mix It Up
- Try adding lemon zest to the batter for a citrus twist.
- For a chocolate version, replace 1/2 cup of flour with cocoa powder.
Perfect Partners
- Serve with whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
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FAQs
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance and frost it right before serving.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Wrap the cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
What can I substitute for fresh strawberries?
You can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them first.
What makes this the best strawberry cake ever?
The combination of fresh strawberries and creamy frosting creates a delicious balance that everyone loves!
Conclusion
This best strawberry cake recipe with cream cheese frosting is sure to become a staple in your home. Whether it’s for a birthday or just a sweet treat, you’ll find it hard to resist. Enjoy every slice!
Best Strawberry Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- Oven
- 9-inch round cake pans
- Mixing Bowl
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Main
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened, use room temperature for easy mixing
- 200 g granulated sugar can substitute with coconut sugar for a healthier option
- 4 large eggs bring to room temperature for better mixing
- 240 g all-purpose flour sifted for a lighter texture
- 8 oz fresh strawberries pureed, use ripe strawberries for best flavor
- 1 tsp baking powder double-acting for better rise
- 1/2 tsp baking soda helps with leavening
- 1/4 tsp salt enhances the sweetness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for added flavor
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese softened, use full-fat for richer frosting
- 480 g powdered sugar sifted to avoid lumps
- 30 ml milk adjust for desired frosting consistency
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients alternating with pureed strawberries; mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating softened cream cheese until smooth, gradually adding powdered sugar, then mixing in milk to desired consistency.
- Spread frosting on top of one cake, place second cake on top, and frost top and sides generously.
- Decorate with fresh strawberries on top. Slice and serve.