Sweet Strawberry Cake Recipe for Joyful Summer Celebrations

Sweet memories dance across my strawberry cake recipe, whisking you into a delightful culinary adventure.

Memories of summer picnics and grandmother’s kitchen swirl through every delicate slice.

Ripe, juicy berries burst with vibrant color and intense flavor throughout this delectable dessert.

Soft layers of tender cake promise pure bliss in each delightful bite.

Baking becomes an art form when passion meets fresh ingredients.

Delicate crumbs and luscious frosting create a symphony of taste that beckons you to the kitchen.

Let’s make magic happen and transform simple ingredients into an unforgettable treat.

Strawberry Cake That Feels Like A Celebration

• Quick Weekend Delight: Whip up this strawberry cake in under an hour for a delightful family dessert.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Use a cake mix as the base, then elevate it with fresh strawberries and gelatin for an incredibly moist and intense strawberry experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Showstopper: Perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or summer gatherings where you want to impress guests with a stunning, vibrant dessert that looks and tastes homemade.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Easily adaptable for various occasions, from children's parties to elegant brunch gatherings, making it a go-to recipe for multiple events.

What You Use For Strawberry Cake

• White Cake Mix, Strawberry-Flavored Instant Gelatin: Essential dry ingredients that create a soft, flavorful cake structure with intense strawberry taste.
• Frozen Strawberries in Syrup: Provides natural strawberry flavor and moisture to the cake, adding depth and fruity sweetness.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps create a smooth, tender cake texture and provides structure.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains moist and tender, preventing dryness.
• Water: Helps blend ingredients and achieve proper cake batter consistency.

• Butter, Cream Cheese: Creamy base for frosting that offers rich, tangy flavor and smooth spreadability.
• Frozen Strawberries in Syrup: Adds natural strawberry flavor and color to the frosting.
• Strawberry Extract: Intensifies strawberry taste, providing extra fruity punch.
• Confectioners Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, creating perfect spreading consistency.

• Fresh Strawberries: Optional topping that adds visual appeal and fresh fruity accent to the cake.

Strawberry Cake Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Generously coat three 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Set aside your baking tools and ingredients.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

• Cake mix
• Strawberry gelatin
• Pureed strawberries
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water

Whisk ingredients together until smooth and well blended.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.

Step 3: Bake Cake Layers

Place cake pans in the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of each cake.

The toothpick should come out clean without any wet batter.

Remove from oven and let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Cool Cake Layers

Carefully transfer cakes from pans to wire cooling racks.

Allow cakes to cool completely at room temperature before frosting.

Step 5: Prepare Strawberry Frosting

In a stand mixer or large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until silky smooth.

Blend in pureed strawberries and strawberry extract.

Gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar, beating until frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 6: Assemble and Decorate Cake

Spread frosting between cake layers and over the entire cake.

Optional: Garnish with fresh strawberry slices for an elegant finish.

Pro Tips for Strawberry Cake

• Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the most intense, sweet taste and vibrant color in both cake and frosting.
• Avoid overmixing batter to ensure a light, fluffy texture and prevent the cake from becoming dense or falling.
• Ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother, easier blending and a silky frosting texture.
• Substitute regular cake mix with a gluten-free alternative and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Refrigerate cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days, bringing to room temperature before serving to maintain moisture and flavor.

Strawberry Cake – How to Store Without Drying Out

• Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Keep frosted cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, ensuring it's in a cool spot away from direct sunlight.
• Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Thaw frozen cake in refrigerator overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and optimal flavor.

Serve with Strawberry Cake

• Pair Tangy Riesling: Crisp, sweet Riesling wine complements the cake's fruity strawberry flavors, balancing its richness with a bright, zesty undertone.
• Serve Creamy Vanilla Gelato: Smooth, cold vanilla gelato provides a luxurious contrast to the warm cake, enhancing the strawberry's natural sweetness and adding a delightful texture.
• Match Champagne Cocktail: Sparkling champagne mixed with strawberry liqueur creates an elegant drink that elevates the cake's festive and romantic profile.
• Enjoy Fresh Mint Tea: Light, herbal mint tea cuts through the cake's sweetness, offering a refreshing palate cleanser that highlights the strawberry's natural brightness.

Strawberry Cake Recipe Flavor Changes to Experiment With

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake: Replace standard cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Strawberry Cake: Substitute eggs with applesauce or flax eggs, use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives, and select dairy-free confectioners' sugar for a completely vegan version.
• Low-Sugar Strawberry Cake: Use sugar-free gelatin, replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and opt for low-fat cream cheese to reduce overall sugar and calorie content.
• Dairy-Free Strawberry Cake: Swap butter and cream cheese with coconut-based alternatives, use dairy-free milk, and ensure all ingredients are milk-free for those with lactose intolerance.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before pureeing to prevent watery batter.

• Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The recipe can be easily adapted for those with gluten sensitivities.

• How can I prevent my cake from becoming too dense?

Avoid overmixing the batter and ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined to keep the cake light and fluffy.

• What if I don't have strawberry extract?

No worries! You can substitute with vanilla extract or skip it entirely. The pureed strawberries will still provide plenty of flavor to the frosting and cake.

Strawberry Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry cake delights dessert enthusiasts with layers of fresh berry goodness. Creamy frosting and delicate crumb promise a memorable slice of homemade happiness you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 ounces / 517 grams) box white cake mix
• 1 (3 ounces / 85 grams) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (10 ounces / 284 grams) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
• 7 cups confectioners sugar

Garnish:

• Freshly sliced strawberries (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans by coating with grease and flour for optimal cake release.
2. Create cake batter by combining cake mix, strawberry gelatin powder, fresh strawberry puree, eggs, vegetable oil, and water in a large mixing bowl. Ensure thorough blending until smooth and homogeneous.
3. Distribute the prepared batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans, creating uniform layers for consistent baking.
4. Place cake pans in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center. The toothpick should emerge clean without raw batter residue.
5. After baking, allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes to stabilize structure, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks for complete temperature reduction.
6. Prepare frosting by whipping butter and cream cheese until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Incorporate strawberry puree and strawberry extract for enhanced flavor profile.
7. Gradually integrate confectioners’ sugar into the frosting mixture, continuing to beat until achieving a light, airy, and spreadable consistency.
8. Once cakes are thoroughly cooled, apply frosting between layers and exterior, creating a smooth, even coating.
9. Optional: Embellish cake with delicately sliced fresh strawberries for visual appeal and additional fruity essence.

Notes

• Swap out regular cake mix for a gluten-free alternative to accommodate those with dietary restrictions.
• Reduce sugar content by using fresh strawberry puree and natural sweeteners for a healthier version.
• Experiment with adding finely chopped fresh strawberries to the batter for extra texture and intense fruit flavor.
• Consider freezing leftover cake slices individually wrapped for up to one month, maintaining moisture and freshness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg