If you have been searching for a show-stopping dessert that combines fresh, fruity flavor with rich, velvety frosting, then this Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is an absolute must-try. Bursting with the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries and topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting, this cake manages to be both bright and indulgent. Every bite offers a perfect balance of moist, tender crumb and creamy topping, making it a delightful treat for family gatherings, special occasions, or simply whenever you crave a slice of strawberry heaven.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each component plays an important role, from the fresh strawberries’ vibrant flavor and color to the creaminess of the frosting that ties everything together. Let’s take a look at the key ingredients that make this cake so special.
- 32 oz Strawberries: Fresh or frozen, these provide the star flavor and natural sweetness.
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar: Helps to sweeten the strawberry reduction perfectly without overwhelming it.
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice: Adds a subtle brightness and balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 tsp Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the cake and frosting.
- 2 sticks Unsalted Butter: Used at room temperature to create a light and fluffy batter.
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness and helps create the perfect cake texture.
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake structure, ensuring it’s tender yet sturdy.
- 2 Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness to the cake.
- 2 tsp Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise nicely for a soft crumb.
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda: Adds additional lift for a light texture.
- 1 tsp Strawberry emulsion/extract (optional): Intensifies the strawberry flavor beautifully.
- 2 drops Pink gel food coloring (optional): Adds a charming pink hue for extra visual appeal.
- 1 batch Cream Cheese Frosting: The creamy, tangy frosting that makes this cake unforgettable.
- 8 Fresh Strawberries: For decorating the cake and adding a fresh touch.
How to Make Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Reduction
Start by putting the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the strawberries break down—you can use a potato masher to speed things up. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it thicken until you see large bubbles, about 10 minutes. This rich reduction forms the juicy heart of your cake.
Step 2: Cool and Prepare the Reduction
Once thickened, remove the reduction from heat. For a smooth texture, press it through a sieve into a bowl; this yields about one cup of luscious strawberry reduction. If you prefer some strawberry chunks throughout your cake, feel free to skip this step. Chill the reduction in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—it’s crucial for a tender, airy cake. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Strawberry Mixture
Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl. Add half of these dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until fully combined. Next, stir in your strawberry reduction along with the optional strawberry emulsion or extract for an extra flavor boost. Add the remaining dry ingredients and blend until smooth.
Step 5: Add Color and Bake
If you want to enhance the cake’s pink hue, mix in a few drops of pink gel food coloring now. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely before moving on to frosting.
Step 6: Frost and Decorate
Top your cooled cakes with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting, spreading it evenly and smoothing it out for a perfect finish. Garnish with fresh strawberries to provide a pop of color and fresh flavor that matches the cake’s strawberry soul.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh strawberry slices on top complements the strawberry flavor and adds a juicy, refreshing crunch. Consider also sprinkling some finely chopped mint or edible flower petals for an elegant touch that will wow your guests visually and tantalize their taste buds.
Side Dishes
Serve this cake alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream for a decadent experience. Fresh fruit salad or a tangy berry coulis also create a perfect balance, enhancing the lovely strawberry notes without overpowering the cake.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn slices of this cake into mini trifle parfaits layered with extra cream cheese frosting and diced strawberries. You can also cut the cake into bite-sized cubes, skewer them with berries and marshmallows, and serve as fun dessert kebabs. The bright pink color lends itself beautifully to festive gatherings and afternoon teas.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cream cheese frosting needs to stay chilled, and this will keep your cake moist and fresh for up to four days.
Freezing
This cake freezes well if you’d like to save some for later. Wrap slices or whole layers carefully in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving to maintain the perfect texture.
Reheating
Since this cake has cream cheese frosting, it’s best served chilled or at room temperature. Avoid reheating to keep the frosting’s texture intact. If you prefer the cake a bit warmer, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the strawberry reduction?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work wonderfully in this recipe; just thaw them first and drain any excess juice to avoid making your batter too wet. Frozen berries retain great flavor and can usually be found year-round.
Is the strawberry emulsion necessary?
The strawberry emulsion or extract is optional but highly recommended if you want to intensify the strawberry flavor beyond the fresh fruit’s natural taste. It adds a lovely depth and aroma that makes the cake particularly special.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
While this recipe is traditionally made with butter and cream cheese, substitutes are possible. Use dairy-free butter and a vegan cream cheese frosting alternative to keep the flavor but make it suitable for dairy-free diets.
How long does the cream cheese frosting keep?
Cream cheese frosting is best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days if stored in the refrigerator. Keep it covered to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other fridge odors.
What’s the best way to slice this layered strawberry cake?
Use a sharp serrated knife and slice gently with a sawing motion to avoid compressing the cake layers or smearing the frosting. Wiping the knife with a warm towel between cuts also helps maintain clean, neat slices.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe isn’t just a dessert—it’s an experience. From the first fragrant bite to the last crumb, it offers a beautiful harmony of fresh berries and creamy indulgence. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or giving this recipe a whirl for the first time, the joy it brings is undeniable. So go ahead, bake this stunning cake, and share a slice with someone special—you’ll be creating memories as sweet as the cake itself!
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Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
Description
A delightful strawberry cake featuring a homemade strawberry reduction infused into a moist cake batter, baked to perfection and topped with rich, creamy cream cheese frosting. Finished with fresh strawberries for an elegant and fresh touch, this cake is perfect for celebrations or any strawberry lover’s craving.
Ingredients
Strawberry Reduction
- 32 oz Strawberries (fresh or frozen – approx 900g)
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar (67g)
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Cake Batter
- 2 sticks Unsalted Butter (227g, room temperature)
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar (400g)
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (375g)
- 2 Large Eggs
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Strawberry emulsion/extract (optional)
- 2 drops Pink gel food colouring (optional)
Frosting and Decoration
- 1 batch Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 Fresh Strawberries
Instructions
- Make the Strawberry Reduction: Combine strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until strawberries begin to break down, using a potato masher to help if necessary.
- Cook the Reduction: Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking until it thickens and produces large, spitting bubbles, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Strain the Reduction (Optional): For a smooth reduction, pass the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, yielding approximately 1 cup of smooth strawberry reduction. If chunks are preferred, skip this step. Let cool and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and 2 cups sugar together until light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add half of this flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined.
- Add Strawberry Reduction and Flavorings: Mix the strawberry reduction and strawberry emulsion/extract (if using) into the batter completely.
- Add Remaining Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the remaining flour mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Add Coloring (Optional): For enhanced color, add 2 drops of pink gel food coloring and mix evenly into the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack. Then remove from pans.
- Frost and Decorate: Once completely cooled, frost the cakes with the prepared cream cheese frosting and decorate with fresh strawberries as desired.
Notes
- If you prefer a smoother cake texture with no fruit pieces, be sure to sieve the strawberry reduction before adding it to the batter.
- Using fresh strawberries will yield the best flavor in the reduction, but frozen strawberries can also be used.
- Room temperature butter ensures better creaming and a lighter cake texture.
- Adding the food coloring is optional but enhances the strawberry appearance.
- Ensure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a light whipped cream or vanilla cream cheese frosting for additional flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
