This Fresh Strawberry Cake Recipe is light, fluffy and bursting with fresh berries. It is perfect for a summer treat or any celebration.
Hello there, my friend 👋! Ready to make a super delicious cake? This fresh strawberry cake is so easy to make and tastes amazing.
The fresh strawberries give it a sweet, summer flavor.
Let’s get started.
Utensils You Need
These are the utensils and/or equipment you need to make this recipe:
- Two large mixing bowls.
- Several smaller mixing bowls.
- A whisk.
- Round cake pans (9 inch or 8 inch).
- A hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Oven mitts.
- Spatula
- Wire racks.
- Serving plates.
The Recipe
Fresh Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup milk at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
For the strawberry buttercream frosting:
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and the milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Blend until just combined – don’t overmix!
- Stir in the finely chopped strawberries until evenly distributed.
- Divide the batter between your prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15-20 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the strawberry buttercream frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and finely chopped strawberries.
Assemble and frost the cake:
- Level the tops of the cakes if needed for a flat stacking surface.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a layer of strawberry frosting.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
Notes
- Use fresh, sweet strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries may be used, but be sure to thaw and drain them well before chopping.
- For an extra explosion of strawberry flavor, add a thin layer of strawberry preserves between the cake layers.
Alternative Ingredients
If you don’t have the ingredients I listed above, do not worry. You can swap them out for the alternatives below.
| Ingredient | Alternative |
| All-purpose flour | Cake flour, whole-wheat flour |
| Unsalted butter | Salted butter (reduce salt in recipe), shortening, vegan butter substitute |
| Milk | Buttermilk, sour cream thinned with a little water, non-dairy alternative |
| Granulated sugar | Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup |
What to Serve with Fresh Strawberry Cake
This cake is delicious on its own, but you can also try pairing it with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Whipped cream.
- Fresh fruit salad.
- A tall glass of iced tea or lemonade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cake dry?
Overbaking or overmixing can lead to a dry cake. Check for doneness with a toothpick at the minimum bake time and be sure not to overmix the batter.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
You can prepare the cake layers and frosting a day in advance. Store the cake layers wrapped in plastic at room temperature, and store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How long can I store leftover cake?
Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
