If you have a sweet tooth and a love for luscious berries, this Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe is going to become your new go-to dessert. Imagine layers of moist, tender cake infused with fresh strawberries and a hint of strawberry gelatin for that perfect berry burst. Then, it’s all topped with a rich, creamy frosting that balances the sweetness and brings this cake to life. This recipe is a celebration of fresh flavors and creamy textures, making it ideal for gatherings or just a special treat at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and color in this cake. From the soft unsalted butter to the fresh strawberries, every component has a purpose that enhances the end result.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Gives the cake a rich, tender crumb and moisture.
- 2 cups sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a lovely golden surface.
- 2 eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure.
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice: Brightens flavors and balances sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour: Ensures a light and tender texture perfect for layering.
- 3 tablespoons strawberry-flavored gelatin: Infuses a subtle strawberry essence and pink tint.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Leavens the cake and keeps it fluffy.
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- 1 cup buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps keep the cake moist.
- 2/3 cup diced fresh strawberries: Bursts of fresh berry goodness within the cake layers.
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese (softened): Creates a creamy, tangy frosting base.
- 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (divided): Sweetens the frosting and whips into smoothness.
- 3/4 cup diced fresh strawberries: Fresh fruit for frosting and decoration.
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream: Whipped into a luscious topping for lightness.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness to the whipped cream and frosting.
How to Make Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
Start by creaming the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy; this ensures your cake will have that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract for that fresh, fragrant touch. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, strawberry gelatin, baking soda, and salt. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in the diced fresh strawberries gently to keep their texture intact. This batter comes together easily and will bake into tender, flavorful layers.
Step 2: Bake the Cake Layers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Divide the batter evenly into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma as it bakes is nothing short of magical, filling the kitchen with the scent of fresh strawberries and vanilla. Once baked, let the cakes cool completely in their pans before removing them onto wire racks. Cooling is important to ensure your frosting doesn’t melt or slide off.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cakes cool, beat the softened cream cheese with half of the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. This creamy base forms the backbone of the frosting. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream, the remaining confectioners’ sugar, and lemon juice until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture for a light yet rich frosting with a slight tang that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake and strawberries.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous amount of the cream cheese frosting over the top. Sprinkle some of the diced fresh strawberries evenly across the frosting. Top with the second cake layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Finish with a beautiful decoration of diced fresh strawberries on top to make it pop with color and freshness.
How to Serve Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh strawberries are your best friend when serving this cake. Consider adding a few whole strawberries on top, or lightly dusting with confectioners’ sugar for an elegant finish. A small sprig of mint can also add a lovely pop of green and a subtle aroma that pairs beautifully with the strawberry flavors.
Side Dishes
This Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe shines on its own, but for a more complete dessert spread, pair it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A light, fruity salad with citrus segments complements the cake’s sweetness and adds a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this cake on a beautiful cake stand to highlight its layered beauty and freshness. Try slicing individual portions into parfait glasses layered with extra cream and strawberries for a playful twist that’s perfect for dinner parties. You can even drizzle a berry coulis over the plated slices for an added touch of color and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep it fresh for up to three days while maintaining the creaminess of the frosting and freshness of the strawberries.
Freezing
If you want to prepare this Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe in advance, it freezes well before frosting. Freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil, and they will stay fresh for up to two months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before frosting and assembling.
Reheating
This cake is best served chilled or at room temperature, so reheating is not recommended as it may affect the texture of the cream and strawberries. Bring the cake out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh strawberries with frozen ones in the Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe?
While fresh strawberries provide the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh are not available. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture in the cake batter and frosting.
Is it possible to make this cake vegan or dairy-free?
This recipe relies on dairy ingredients like butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream. However, you can experiment with vegan butter, plant-based cream cheese alternatives, and coconut cream to create a dairy-free version—just expect slight differences in texture and flavor.
How do I prevent the fresh strawberries from sinking into the cake batter?
To keep the diced strawberries evenly distributed, toss them lightly in a teaspoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps suspend them better during baking.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure your blend includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to maintain the structure of the cake.
How long will the Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe stay fresh once assembled?
Due to the cream cheese and whipped cream frosting, this cake is best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days when kept refrigerated. After that, the freshness and texture of the strawberries and cream may start to diminish.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe is such a joy to make and even more delightful to eat. It captures the essence of fresh strawberries and delicate creaminess in every bite, making it a showstopper for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to try it and bring a little slice of summer sweetness into your home!
Print
Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry and Cream Cake is a delightful and moist cake layered with fresh strawberries and luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for spring and summer gatherings, its combination of strawberry gelatin in the batter and fresh fruit in the layers offers a burst of fresh flavor. The cream cheese frosting blended with whipped cream and a hint of lemon juice adds a light and tangy finish that complements the sweetness of the cake beautifully.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 3 tablespoons strawberry-flavored gelatin
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2/3 cup diced fresh strawberries
Frosting and Filling
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, divided
- 3/4 cup diced fresh strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together cake flour, strawberry-flavored gelatin, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in the diced fresh strawberries gently.
- Bake the Cakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare the Frosting and Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup of confectioners’ sugar until smooth. In another bowl, whip the heavy cream with the remaining confectioners’ sugar and fresh lemon juice until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of the cream cheese and whipped cream mixture over the top and sprinkle with half of the diced fresh strawberries. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream mixture. Decorate the top with the rest of the diced strawberries. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and the filling to set.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and cream cheese are softened for smoother mixing.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor impact.
- Chilling the cake before serving helps the frosting set and improves slicing.
- Strawberry-flavored gelatin adds color and strawberry essence to the cake batter.
- This cake is best served within 2 days for freshness.
