Celebrate the sweetness of summer with this delectable Strawberry Cake that bursts with the flavor of ripe, juicy strawberries. This moist and tender cake, crowned with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting, is the perfect way to savor the season’s bounty of strawberries.
Ingredients:
For the Strawberry Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and pureed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Additional fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
For the Strawberry Cake:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Strawberries:
- In a food processor or blender, puree 2 1/2 cups of fresh strawberries until smooth. Set aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Alternate Additions:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
7. Add Strawberry Puree:
- Gently fold in the strawberry puree until the batter is evenly tinted and well mixed.
8. Bake:
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool:
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
1. Cream Together:
- In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Ingredients:
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined and the frosting is fluffy.
To Assemble:
1. Frost the Cake:
- Place one of the cooled strawberry cakes on a serving plate.
- Spread a layer of the strawberry cream cheese frosting over the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
2. Garnish (Optional):
- If desired, garnish the cake with additional fresh strawberry slices.
3. Slice and Serve:
- Slice your best-ever Strawberry Cake and serve it up to your delighted guests or enjoy a slice for yourself.
This Best-Ever Strawberry Cake captures the essence of summer on a plate. It’s a dessert that captures the essence of the season, with moist strawberry-infused layers and creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting. This strawberry cake will leave you wanting more whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat.