The Ultimate Homemade Fresh Strawberry Cake with Luscious Cream Cheese Frosting
Prepare to be amazed by this truly incredible fresh strawberry cake recipe, crafted entirely from scratch! Each bite promises incredibly soft, fluffy layers, brimming with the natural essence of sweet strawberries, all perfectly complemented by a mouth-watering, tangy cream cheese frosting. You’ll absolutely adore how moist, rich, and utterly delicious this homemade strawberry cake is – it’s a showstopper for any occasion.
My goal was to bake a dessert that was not only simple to execute but also made entirely from scratch and unbelievably delicious. I’m thrilled to report that mission was a resounding success! This old-fashioned strawberry cake is a testament to pure, unadulterated strawberry flavor, achieved without the need for gelatin. All its vibrant taste comes from fresh, ripe strawberries and a touch of quality strawberry jam. I’ve even incorporated a quarter cup of jam into the cream cheese frosting to intensify that delightful strawberry kick. Feel free to use seedless jam if you prefer a smoother texture. While I did add a couple of teaspoons of red food coloring to enhance its beautiful pink hue, you can certainly omit it for a more natural shade – the flavor will remain just as spectacular.
Why This Fresh Strawberry Cake Stands Out
What makes this particular strawberry cake recipe so special? It’s the dedication to fresh, quality ingredients and a few key techniques that result in an unparalleled texture and flavor. Unlike many recipes that rely on artificial flavorings or mixes, our cake harnesses the vibrant taste of real strawberries, pureed and gently cooked to concentrate their essence. This process infuses every crumb with authentic fruit flavor. Coupled with the richness of buttermilk and the delicate structure of cake flour, the layers achieve a tender, moist, and airy consistency that truly melts in your mouth. And let’s not forget the tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting – it’s the perfect foil to the cake’s sweetness, making each slice an unforgettable experience.
Top Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cake and Recipe Variations
Achieving bakery-quality results at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:
- Embrace Fresh Strawberries: For the most authentic and vibrant flavor, always opt for fresh, ripe strawberries. Frozen strawberries can introduce too much water, altering the cake’s texture and diluting the flavor. Fresh berries are key to that unmistakable natural taste.
- Prepare Your Strawberry Puree with Care: Begin by pureeing two cups of fresh strawberries in a food processor until smooth. Next, cook this puree in a saucepan over medium heat for approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This crucial step reduces the moisture content and concentrates the strawberry flavor. Ensure it cools completely before incorporating it into the batter; adding warm puree could prematurely cook your eggs or affect the butter.
- Cool Cake Layers Completely: Patience is a virtue when baking! Allow your strawberry cake layers to cool entirely before you even think about frosting them. Attempting to frost warm cakes will lead to melted, messy frosting and a less-than-perfect presentation.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Once you start adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense cake rather than the light, fluffy texture we’re aiming for. A gentle hand makes all the difference.
- The Power of Buttermilk and Cake Flour: These two ingredients are non-negotiable for the ultimate moist and tender cake. Real buttermilk adds a subtle tang and reacts with the baking soda to create a wonderfully soft crumb. Cake flour, with its lower protein content, is specifically designed to produce delicate, tender cakes. I strongly advise against substituting them with whole milk and all-purpose flour if you want the best results.
- Mastering the Cream Cheese Frosting: If your cream cheese frosting appears a bit too loose, gradually add more powdered sugar until it reaches a spreadable, firm consistency. I recommend having 5-6 cups on hand to adjust as needed. The ideal frosting should hold its shape beautifully without being overly stiff.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Essential: For a smooth, emulsified batter and frosting, ensure your eggs and unsalted butter are at room temperature. This allows them to blend together more easily and evenly, creating a uniform mixture that bakes consistently.
- Do Not Overbake: Bake your cake for exactly 27 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking is the quickest way to a dry cake! Keep a close eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Flavor Intensification: For an even more robust strawberry flavor, consider adding a little strawberry extract to the batter or frosting.
- Decorative Touches: Garnish your finished cake with fresh whole or sliced strawberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even edible flowers for an elegant finish.
Can I Frost This With Whipped Cream Instead?
While you certainly *can* frost this delicious strawberry cake with whipped cream for a lighter alternative, there are a few considerations. Whipped cream is less stable than cream cheese frosting and will require constant refrigeration to maintain its structure. If you choose whipped cream, make sure to keep the cake chilled until serving. For the best flavor and texture experience, however, I highly recommend enjoying this cake at room temperature, which is only possible with the more stable cream cheese frosting.
Is There a Substitute for Buttermilk?
Buttermilk plays a vital role in making this cake exceptionally moist and tender. It contributes to the cake’s light texture by reacting with the baking soda and adds a subtle tang that complements the strawberries beautifully. While I strongly advocate for using store-bought buttermilk for consistent results, you can also easily make your own at home. To create homemade buttermilk, simply mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of whole milk. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes until it visibly curdles. This creates an acidic environment that mimics true buttermilk.
Can I Use Store-Bought Frosting?
Technically, yes, you could use store-bought frosting, but I genuinely believe that making your own strawberry cream cheese frosting is what elevates this cake from good to truly extraordinary. Our homemade frosting is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring only a few basic ingredients, and its fresh, tangy-sweet flavor and luxurious texture are unmatched by anything you can buy in a tub. The effort is minimal, and the reward in taste is immense, making the cake feel genuinely special and homemade.
Can I Make This in a 9×13 Inch Cake Pan?
Absolutely! This recipe can be easily adapted for a single 9×13 inch cake pan. Just ensure you grease and flour the baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. When baking in a larger pan, the cake will be thicker, so you’ll need to adjust the baking time. Expect it to bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it to avoid overbaking, as baking times can vary between ovens.
How Long Is This Strawberry Cake Good For?
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious strawberry cake for as long as possible. If covered properly with a cake dome or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out, this cake can last for up to 3 days at room temperature. For extended freshness, store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will remain fresh and delightful for up to 5-6 days. Bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to ensure the frosting is perfectly soft and the cake layers are tender.
This fresh strawberry cake with its dreamy cream cheese frosting is truly a fantastic recipe, making it the perfect dessert for any occasion, from casual summer gatherings to festive holiday celebrations. Whip this up for your next party, and your guests will be amazed you made such a masterpiece yourself. It’s truly that good – expect rave reviews and requests for the recipe!
More Irresistible Cake Recipe Ideas…
If you’re looking for more delightful dessert inspiration, you simply must try this No-Bake Cheesecake for a quick and creamy treat, or the incredibly flavorful Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. Both are absolute summer favorites that are guaranteed to impress. You’ll thank me later for these wonderful additions to your baking repertoire!
Did you bake and enjoy this old-fashioned fresh strawberry cake? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comment section down below! For more delicious recipes and insightful cooking tutorial videos, be sure to visit me on Youtube and Facebook.
Strawberry Cake
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Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, pureed and cooked (see notes)
- 3 cups cake flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp red food coloring
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup strawberry jam
- 1 tsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C) and generously grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans with butter or baking spray. This step is essential for easy cake release.
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First, prepare your strawberry puree. Place the fresh strawberries in a food processor and blend until completely pureed. Transfer the puree to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This reduces the liquid and concentrates the flavor. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar for about 2 minutes using an electric mixer, until the mixture is light and fluffy. This incorporates air, which is crucial for a tender cake. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Pour in the vegetable oil and mix for an additional 10 seconds until just combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure these dry ingredients are well combined.
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Gradually add the dry cake flour mixture to the wet sugar mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed just until the ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the cake batter, as this can lead to a tough cake. Finally, add the red food coloring (if using) and mix for just 5 seconds to distribute the color evenly.
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Gently fold in the completely cooled strawberry puree. Divide the cake batter evenly into your two greased cake pans. Bake for 27 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Do not overbake!
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While the cakes are cooling, prepare the strawberry cream cheese frosting. In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter for 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, red food coloring (if using), vanilla extract, and strawberry jam. Beat for 4-5 minutes on medium-high speed, or until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth.
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Once the cake layers are completely cool, assemble and frost your cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries, if desired, for a beautiful presentation. Slice and enjoy your delightful homemade fresh strawberry cake!
Video
Notes
- To prepare the strawberry puree: Wash the strawberries and remove the green leaves. Place them in a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer the puree to a saucepan and cook over medium heat for approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced and thickened slightly. Let it cool completely before adding to the cake batter.
- For the best possible texture and flavor, it is highly recommended to use real buttermilk, cake flour, and room temperature eggs. These ingredients are crucial for the delicate, moist crumb of this strawberry cake.
- For a seedless frosting experience, you can use seedless strawberry jam or strain regular jam to remove seeds before adding it to the frosting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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