Strawberry cake is a delightful dessert that captures the fresh, sweet flavor of strawberries in a moist and tender cake. This homemade strawberry cake recipe uses fresh strawberries in both the cake batter and the frosting, ensuring a burst of strawberry flavor in every bite. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you’re craving a taste of summer, this strawberry cake is sure to impress. Follow along to learn how to make this delicious cake from scratch.
Ingredients for Strawberry Cake
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Strawberry Cake
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and set aside.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and wet ingredients: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the sour cream and milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
- Fold in the strawberries: Gently fold in the chopped strawberries until evenly distributed in the batter.
- Bake the cakes: Divide the batter evenly 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. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Serve and enjoy: Slice and serve the strawberry cake, garnishing with additional fresh strawberries if desired.
About the Main Ingredients
Fresh Strawberries: The star ingredient of this cake, fresh strawberries provide a vibrant color and juicy sweetness to both the cake and the frosting. Using fresh strawberries is key to achieving the best flavor.
Butter: Butter adds richness and moisture to the cake batter, resulting in a tender crumb. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
Granulated Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cake and also helps to tenderize the crumb. Creaming the butter and sugar together creates a light and fluffy texture.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability to the cake. They also help to bind the ingredients together.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang to the cake batter, enhancing the overall flavor and texture.
Whole Milk: Whole milk adds richness to the cake batter. You can also use buttermilk for a tangier flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the cake. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is used to make the frosting, providing a smooth and creamy texture. It’s also known as confectioners’ sugar.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness of the frosting.
This strawberry cake is a celebration of fresh strawberries and is sure to be a hit with strawberry lovers of all ages. Enjoy it for birthdays, parties, or simply as a sweet treat to brighten your day.
