Strawberry Layer Cake

Mar 18, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Strawberry layer cake is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is a sweet and decadent cake made with layers of moist vanilla cake, fresh sliced strawberries, and creamy whipped cream cheese strawberry frosting.

fresh sliced strawberries on a pink frosted cake with layers of whipped pink icing that has strawberry bits in it

Don’t want all the extras in a recipe post? We provide a skip to recipe button in the top left corner, as well as a clickable table of contents, just below, to help make this page easier to navigate.

Perfect Pink Layer Cake With Strawberry
How to Make Strawberry Layer Cake
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Strawberry Layer Cake
What to Serve With Strawberry Layer Cake
Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

fresh sliced strawberries on top of a pink frosted cake with swirls of pink whipped icing on top

Perfect Pink Layer Cake With Strawberry

Strawberry layer cake is a delicious dessert made with layers of moist cake and fresh strawberries. The cake layers are usually a light and fluffy vanilla or white cake, while the filling and frosting are made with fresh strawberries or strawberry puree, giving the cake a fruity and sweet taste. The layers are typically stacked with a rich and creamy frosting made with butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

To prepare a strawberry layer cake, you will need to bake the cake layers, slice the strawberries, and prepare the frosting. Once the cake layers have cooled, you will assemble the cake by spreading the frosting between each layer and on top and around the sides of the cake. Finally, you will decorate the cake with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, or other decorations.

Layer cakes are delicious because they offer a variety of flavors and textures in every bite. The cake layers provide a soft and spongy texture, while the filling and frosting add sweetness and creaminess. Additionally, layer cakes can be customized to suit any taste preference, allowing for endless possibilities and creativity in the kitchen. Whether for a special occasion or just a sweet treat, strawberry layer cake is sure to impress and satisfy any dessert lover.

How to Make Strawberry Layer Cake

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

Fresh strawberries: Fresh strawberries bring a sweet and tangy flavor to the cake and are also used for garnishing the cake.
All-purpose flour: This is the base ingredient for the cake and provides structure.
Baking powder: This ingredient helps the cake to rise and become fluffy.
Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Strawberry jello powder: This adds a concentrated strawberry flavor to the cake.
Unsalted butter: This ingredient provides moisture and flavor to the cake.
Vegetable oil: This ingredient also provides moisture to the cake and helps to keep it moist.
Granulated sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to the cake.
Eggs: Eggs help to bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
Vanilla extract: This ingredient adds a sweet and floral flavor to the cake.
Milk: This ingredient helps to make the cake moist and tender.
Freeze dried strawberries: This ingredient is used in the frosting and adds a concentrated strawberry flavor.
Cream cheese: This is the base for the frosting and adds a tangy and creamy flavor.
Powdered sugar: This sweetens the frosting and helps to thicken it.
Vanilla extract: This adds a sweet and floral flavor to the frosting.

eggs, flour, sugar, strawberry pudding mix, freeze dried strawberries, and more cake ingredients in bowls on a table

blended strawberries and strawberry pudding mix in a bowl

pink cake batter in layer cake pans on a table

baked layers of pink cake that have been leveled with a knife so the tops are flat

freeze dried strawberries in whipped icing in a bowl

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following process:

For the cake:

Prep. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Prepare 4, 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper circles and cooking spray. Put the strawberries in a blender or food processor and blend until the strawberries are pureed. Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and strawberry jello powder with a whisk. Set aside. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the butter, oil, and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree. Mix until combined.
Add the dry mixture, alternating with the milk until completely combined.
Bake. Divide the batter evenly into the 4 cake pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
Cool. Allow the cakes to completely cool while making the frosting.

For the strawberry cream cheese frosting:

Blend dried strawberries. Add the freeze dried strawberries to a blender or food processor, and blend until the strawberries become a fine powder. Set aside.
Mix frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually until completely combined. Add the strawberry powder until the desired color and flavor is reached. I used about 3 tablespoons.

To assemble cake:

Level cakes. Level the cakes using a large serrated knife to create a flat surface.
Stack with layers of frosting. Stack the cakes with a layer of frosting between each cake layer. With a large icing spatula, spread a thin even layer of frosting on top of and around the cake to create a crumb coat.
Chill crumb coat. Place in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to set the crumb coat.
Frost & top with berries! Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting and garnish with sliced fresh strawberries.
Enjoy! Slice, and enjoy!

fresh sliced strawberries on a pink frosted cake with bits of strawberry in the whipped icing

Tips and Tricks to Perfect Strawberry Layer Cake

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Make sure your strawberries are ripe and sweet, and use good-quality butter, cream cheese, and other ingredients for the best flavor.

Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature. This will help ensure that your cake batter is smooth and that your frosting is easy to work with.

Be precise with your measurements. Baking is a science, so make sure you measure your ingredients carefully to get the best results.

Don’t overmix your batter. Mix just until everything is combined and no more, to prevent your cake from becoming tough.

Use cake strips to ensure even baking. Cake strips are strips of fabric or silicone that you wrap around your cake pans to help them bake evenly and prevent doming.

Let your cake cool completely before frosting it. If you try to frost a warm cake, your frosting will melt and slide off.

Use a serrated knife to level your cake layers. This will help ensure that your layers are even and your cake is stable.

Chill your cake before frosting it. This will make it easier to frost and will help prevent crumbs from getting into your frosting.

Use an offset spatula to frost your cake. This will help you get a smooth, even layer of frosting.

Add fresh berries to decorate. Decorate your cake with fresh strawberries or other fruits for a beautiful and delicious finishing touch.

FAQs

How far ahead can I make this cake?

You can make the cake layers up to 2 days ahead of time, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. The frosting can be made 1 day ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

While fresh strawberries are recommended for the best flavor, you can use frozen strawberries as a substitute. Just make sure to thaw and drain them completely before using.

Can I substitute cream cheese frosting with another type of frosting?

Yes, you can substitute the cream cheese frosting with another type of frosting like vanilla buttercream or whipped cream frosting.

How do I store leftover cake?

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring the cake to room temperature before serving.

Can I make this without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can make this cake without a stand mixer. You can use a hand mixer or even a whisk to mix the ingredients together. However, a stand mixer can make the process easier and faster.

a pink iced cake with strawberries and icing swirls on top

What to Serve With Strawberry Layer Cake

Strawberry layer cake pairs well with a variety of drinks such as coffee, tea, milk, and champagne! I love cake with Champagne Fizz Cocktail or a Pimms Cup Cocktail for my birthday with a big slice of cake.

It can also be served with a side of whipped cream, fresh strawberries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added sweetness.

It can be served alone as the main dessert or alongside other sweets and treats such as chocolate truffles or macarons.