Fluffy Strawberry Box Cake Recipe: A Sweet Summer Treat

Sweet memories flood back whenever I whip up this delightful strawberry box cake that combines convenience with homemade charm.

Boxed cake mixes become magical when simple ingredients elevate their potential.

Nostalgia meets modern baking in this foolproof dessert that anyone can master.

Fresh strawberries add vibrant color and natural sweetness to every tender slice.

Weekend baking feels effortless with this stress-free approach to creating something spectacular.

Delicate and moist, this cake promises to delight taste buds and spark joy.

Strawberry Box Cake That’s Quick, Sweet, And Loved By All

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whips up a delightful dessert in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving something sweet without extensive kitchen time.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Boost: Transforms a basic box cake mix into a vibrant strawberry sensation kids and adults will love, making it ideal for birthdays or casual gatherings.
• Foolproof Baking Success: Uses simple box mix technique that guarantees consistent results even for novice bakers, eliminating complex measuring and potential recipe failures.
• Versatile Celebration Cake: Easily adaptable for various occasions like potlucks, school events, or summer parties with its bright strawberry flavor and impressive homemade appearance.

Strawberry Box Cake Recipe What You’ll Need

• White Cake Mix: Provides the basic cake structure and texture.
• Strawberry Jell-O Mix: Adds intense strawberry flavor and vibrant color to the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and softness in the cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake.
• Thawed Strawberries: Adds natural strawberry chunks and extra moisture.
• Strawberry Juice: Intensifies strawberry flavor and adds moisture.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base.
• Softened Butter: Provides creamy texture and rich flavor for frosting.
• Thawed Strawberries: Adds fresh strawberry pieces and natural color to the frosting.

Strawberry Box Cake Baking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line cake pans with wax paper, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides to prevent sticking.

Choose either two 9-inch or three 8-inch pans depending on your preference.

Step 2: Create Cake Base

• White cake mix
• Strawberry Jell-O mix

Whisk together to eliminate potential lumps and create a uniform powder mixture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Beaten eggs
• Thawed strawberries
• Strawberry juice

Mix thoroughly using an electric mixer or whisk until the batter becomes smooth and consistent with no dry patches.

Step 4: Fill Cake Pans

Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, using a spatula to spread mixture smoothly and eliminate air bubbles.

Tap pans gently on counter to release potential trapped air.

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

Place pans in preheated oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into cake center.

Toothpick should emerge clean without wet batter.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Remove pans from oven.

Let cakes cool completely on wire rack at room temperature, which prevents condensation and maintains cake texture.

Step 7: Prepare Strawberry Frosting

• Confectioners' sugar
• Softened butter
• Thawed strawberries

Beat until mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and spreadable.

Step 8: Frost And Decorate

Once cake layers are fully cooled, apply strawberry frosting between layers and over entire cake surface.

Use offset spatula for even, professional-looking coverage.

Box Cake Upgrades for Strawberry Lovers

• Add a splash of strawberry extract to intensify the fruity taste and make the cake more vibrant.
• Avoid overmixing the batter and gently fold ingredients to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
• Drain strawberries well before adding to prevent excess liquid from making the cake soggy or dense.
• Chill butter and strawberries before mixing to help the frosting set with a smoother, more stable consistency.
• Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free or sugar-free alternatives for those with specific dietary restrictions.

Chill Strawberry Box Cake Leftovers

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, placing it in a cake carrier or covering with a cake dome.
• Wrap individual cake slices or entire cake layers 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 10-15 seconds. For best texture, let cake come to room temperature naturally before serving.

Sweets to Pair with Strawberry Box Cake

• Pair Sparkling Rosé with Cake: Complement the strawberry cake's sweet and fruity profile with a chilled sparkling rosé wine, enhancing the dessert's delicate berry flavors and creating a refreshing taste experience.
• Serve Champagne Cocktail: Mix a classic champagne cocktail with a sugar cube and bitters to add complexity and effervescence that beautifully matches the cake's light texture and strawberry essence.
• Create Strawberry Mocktail: Blend fresh strawberries, mint leaves, and sparkling water for a non-alcoholic beverage that mirrors the cake's vibrant strawberry notes and provides a clean, crisp accompaniment.
• Match Vanilla Bean Latte: Prepare a smooth vanilla bean latte that complements the cake's sweetness, with the creamy coffee highlighting the strawberry's natural brightness and providing a warm contrast.

Strawberry Cake Box Upgrades

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace white cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• Vegan Version: Swap eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), use vegan butter for frosting, and select a dairy-free cake mix.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Utilize a sugar-free cake mix, substitute Jell-O with sugar-free strawberry gelatin, and use a low-sugar frosting alternative with stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Choose a dairy-free cake mix, replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use almond milk or coconut milk if any liquid is needed during preparation.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh strawberries instead of thawed ones?

Yes, you can use fresh strawberries, but make sure to puree or finely chop them to maintain the right moisture and texture in the cake and frosting.

• Is it necessary to use strawberry Jell-O mix?

The Jell-O mix adds intense strawberry flavor and helps create a vibrant color, but you can substitute with strawberry extract if you prefer a more natural option.

• How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

Always line your cake pans with wax paper and lightly grease the sides to ensure easy cake removal and prevent breaking.

• Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, simply use a gluten-free white cake mix instead of a regular mix, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Strawberry Box Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry box cake brings delightful summer memories to life with minimal effort. Bakers can easily create this simple, moist dessert that perfectly balances fruity freshness and classic cake comfort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 (3 ounces) box strawberry Jell-O
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup frozen strawberries (thawed, with the juice)
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

Liquid Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup vegetable oil

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounces) box confectioners sugar
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans by lining them with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Blend the white cake mix and strawberry Jell-O powder in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring thorough incorporation.
3. Introduce vegetable oil, whisked eggs, and defrosted strawberries with their accompanying juice into the dry ingredient mixture, stirring until a uniform, vibrant batter forms.
4. Carefully distribute the mixture across prepared pans, creating even layers for consistent baking.
5. Transfer pans to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 18 minutes, monitoring for a golden surface and checking doneness with a slender wooden pick.
6. Extract cake layers from the oven and position on a cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction before frosting.
7. Craft the frosting by whipping softened butter with confectioners’ sugar and mashed strawberries until achieving a silky, spreadable consistency.
8. Once layers have fully cooled, apply the strawberry frosting generously between cake layers and across the exterior, creating a luscious, berry-infused dessert.

Notes

• Select high-quality strawberries for maximum flavor impact, ensuring they are ripe and sweet for the most vibrant taste.
• Drain strawberries thoroughly before adding to batter to prevent excess moisture from affecting cake texture.
• Consider using fresh strawberry puree instead of thawed strawberries for a more intense, natural fruit flavor profile.
• Adjust baking time slightly depending on your specific oven’s performance, checking doneness early to prevent potential overcooking.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg