The Best-Ever Strawberry Cake Recipe

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 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). 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.