Craving a moist, fruity cake that will wow your friends and family? Look no further than “The Best Strawberry Cake Ever.” This delightful dessert combines the sweet taste of fresh strawberries with a light, fluffy white cake and a rich cream cheese frosting.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a party, or simply indulging yourself, this strawberry cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. In this post, we’ll walk you through the recipe step by step, offer helpful tips and variations, and provide advice on storage and pairing. Let’s dive in!
Equipment
Before starting, make sure you have the following tools:
- Two 9-inch round cake pans
- Electric mixer
- Large mixing bowls
- Wooden pick or cake tester
- Wire racks for cooling
Tips and Variations
- For a healthier twist, swap the white cake mix with whole grain cake mix or use a homemade white cake recipe with whole wheat flour.
- Add a few drops of strawberry extract for an even stronger strawberry flavor.
- Opt for a lighter frosting like vanilla buttercream or whipped cream for a different take.
- Decorate with sprinkles or edible flowers for a festive touch.
- Turn this recipe into cupcakes by using lined pans and adjusting the baking time.
Storing Leftovers
If there are any leftovers (which is doubtful!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving to enhance the flavor and texture.
Food and Drink Pairings
Pair “The Best Strawberry Cake Ever” with:
- A refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade for a summer treat
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert
- A cup of coffee or hot tea for a cozy afternoon snack
The Best Strawberry Cake Ever
This delectable cake blends the sweet taste of strawberries with a light, airy white cake and a rich cream cheese frosting.
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
- Yield: 6 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix
- 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
- 1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup water
- Strawberry cream cheese frosting (recipe below)
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Fresh strawberry slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, mix the white cake mix and strawberry-flavored gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Frosting Instructions:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add ¼ cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract, and mix until combined. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, beating until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread the frosting between the layers and over the top and sides.
- Optionally, garnish with fresh strawberry slices.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins