If you’re dreaming of a cake that perfectly balances sweet, fruity freshness and rich, tangy frosting, then this Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is just what you need. Each bite is a delightful harmony of tender strawberry-infused cake layers enveloped in a luxuriously smooth cream cheese frosting that’s sweet with a hint of tartness. With its gorgeous pink hue and fresh strawberry flavor, this cake feels like a celebration no matter the occasion. Whether you’re making it for a birthday, a special gathering, or just because you want to treat yourself, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe lies in a few simple, quality ingredients that work together to create incredible flavor and texture. Each item is carefully chosen to contribute a special note: from the softness of the butter to the natural sweetness from fresh strawberries and the creamy tang of the frosting.
- All-purpose flour (2 ¾ cups): The foundation for tender and fluffy cake layers.
- Baking powder (2 ½ teaspoons): Helps the cake rise beautifully, making each slice airy and light.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Baking soda (¼ teaspoon): Works with acidic ingredients to give lift and lightness.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup softened + 1 cup room temperature): Adds richness and moisture to both cake and frosting.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and helps create that light, fluffy batter.
- Egg whites (4 large): Offer structure and a delicate crumb without heaviness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and depth of flavor.
- Whole milk (½ cup): Adds moisture and helps blend flavors evenly.
- Fresh strawberry puree (½ cup + ¼ cup reduced): The star ingredient for natural fruitiness and pretty color.
- Pink food coloring (optional): Perfect if you want to amp up the cake’s charming pink hue.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, room temperature): Essential for a luscious and tangy frosting that complements the cake beautifully.
- Powdered sugar (6 to 7 cups, sifted): Provides sweetness and that classic creamy frosting texture.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweet cream cheese frosting flavors perfectly.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): A surprising but delightful garnish to add a fresh green contrast.
How to Make Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans so your cake layers come out cleanly without any sticking. This simple prep ensures that the beautiful layers maintain their perfect shape.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. This step ensures even distribution of the rising agents, which means your cake will bake evenly and develop a wonderful rise.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes and is key to achieving a light texture and a subtle sweetness that carries through each bite.
Step 4: Add Egg Whites and Vanilla
Add the egg whites one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and then stir in the vanilla extract. The egg whites lighten the batter without any heaviness, and vanilla brings that warm, inviting aroma that makes a cake smell irresistible while baking.
Step 5: Combine Milk and Strawberry Puree
In a separate bowl, gently mix the whole milk with the reduced fresh strawberry puree. This adds fresh strawberry flavor directly into the batter, giving the cake its unique fruity undertone and natural pink tint.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gradually
Slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients while mixing at low speed to avoid overmixing. Combine just until smooth for tender, cakey layers that are moist but not dense.
Step 7: Add Food Coloring (Optional)
If you want to make your cake extra festive with a vibrant pink color, this is the stage to add a few drops of pink food coloring. Mix until you reach your desired shade, but the natural hue from the strawberries is beautiful on its own.
Step 8: Divide Batter and Bake
Evenly pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Spread it smoothly to ensure even baking. Place the pans in your preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This perfect bake time gives you moist, cooked-through layers that are ready for frosting.
Step 9: Cool the Cakes Completely
Let the cakes cool in the pans for around 10 minutes before turning them onto cooling racks. It’s important to let the layers cool completely before frosting, so your cream cheese frosting stays smooth and doesn’t melt.
How to Serve Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Once your cake is frosted, sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley across the top for a stunning contrast and a hint of freshness that surprisingly adds to the appeal. You can also add sliced fresh strawberries or a few mint leaves to complete the look and add even more fruity brightness.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a light, crisp salad if you’re serving it as part of a larger meal or some homemade whipped cream for extra indulgence at dessert time. A glass of chilled sparkling water with a splash of lemon also complements the fruity flavor wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the layers in a clear glass cake stand to let the beautiful pink layers peek through. Another fun idea is to serve individual slices with a dollop of fresh strawberry puree or drizzle some berry coulis on the plate—simple touches that elevate the presentation to impressive, bakery-style levels.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy that fresh strawberry flavor and creamy frosting without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save the cake for later, you can freeze it in airtight containers or wrapped well with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze it without the parsley garnish for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
Since this is a delicate cake with cream cheese frosting, it’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you prefer a warmer slice, let it sit out for about 20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the frosting and change the cake’s texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree?
Yes, you absolutely can use frozen strawberries. Just thaw them completely and drain off any excess water before pureeing so the batter doesn’t become too watery.
Why do I use only egg whites instead of whole eggs?
Using egg whites helps the cake stay light and airy without adding extra richness that whole eggs would bring. It’s a key part of achieving that perfect tender crumb.
Is the cream cheese frosting difficult to make?
Not at all! The frosting is as simple as mixing room temperature cream cheese and butter together with powdered sugar and vanilla. The strawberry puree adds a fresh twist that makes it extra special.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
While the recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you could try substituting a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. However, you may need to adjust the amounts slightly and be mindful the texture might change a bit.
What if I don’t have fresh strawberries?
If fresh strawberries aren’t available, you could try a high-quality strawberry jam or preserve, but fresh puree is best for vivid flavor and natural color.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser and a must-try for anyone who loves fresh, fruity desserts with a creamy punch. It’s straightforward enough to bake on a whim yet impressive enough for any celebration. Once you try this beautiful cake, I’m sure it will hold a special place on your go-to dessert list. So grab those fresh strawberries and get baking—you’re going to love every slice!
Print
Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delightful Strawberry Cake features a moist, tender crumb infused with fresh strawberry puree and a hint of vanilla. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting enriched with strawberry puree and garnished with fresh parsley, this cake is perfect for celebrations or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg whites
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup fresh strawberry puree (reduced)
- pink food coloring (optional)
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 6 to 7 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- ¼ cup fresh strawberry puree (reduced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Egg Whites and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg whites one at a time into the butter mixture, ensuring each is well mixed before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Combine Milk and Strawberry Puree: In a separate bowl, blend the whole milk with the reduced fresh strawberry puree.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while mixing on low speed. Continue until the batter is fully combined and smooth.
- Add Food Coloring: If desired, add pink food coloring to achieve your preferred cake color and mix gently to blend.
- Divide Batter: Evenly distribute the cake batter between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for approximately 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and pinch of salt, then gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Fold in the fresh strawberry puree for flavor and color.
- Assemble and Frost: Once the cakes have fully cooled, layer and frost the cake with the strawberry cream cheese frosting. Garnish the top with finely chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, decorative touch.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in your puree.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Pink food coloring is optional; the strawberry puree imparts natural color.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a unique, fresh flavor contrast but can be omitted.
- Store the cake refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting, ideally covered to maintain moisture.
