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Fresh Strawberry Cake Recipe – Easy Fluffy Dessert with Creamy Frosting

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This fluffy fresh strawberry cake is packed with real strawberries and topped with a creamy strawberry frosting. It’s easy to make, bursting with nostalgic flavor, and perfect for spring brunches, summer picnics, or any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped (about 225g)
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour, sifted (270g)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (10g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (2g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (170g)
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature (120ml)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (7ml)
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • For the Creamy Strawberry Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, pureed and reduced (75g)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226g)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (113g)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (480g)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5ml)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Strawberry Puree: Wash, hull, and chop 1 1/2 cups strawberries. Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour into a small saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half (to about 2/3 cup), 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely.
  2. Prep the Cake Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper. Lightly flour the sides.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  5. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract and lemon zest, if using.
  6. Mix in Strawberry Puree: Add cooled strawberry reduction to butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
  7. Alternate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour mixture. Mix on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
  8. Bake: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth tops. Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and tops spring back when lightly pressed.
  9. Cool: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  10. Make the Strawberry Frosting: Puree 1/2 cup strawberries and reduce in a small saucepan until you have about 3 tablespoons of thick puree. Cool completely. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add cooled strawberry reduction, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
  11. Assemble and Frost: Place one cake layer on serving plate and spread with about 1/2 cup frosting. Top with second layer, then frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Decorate with fresh strawberry slices if desired.

Notes

Use ripe, fragrant strawberries for best flavor. Sift flour and powdered sugar for a lighter crumb and silkier frosting. Bring butter, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature before mixing. Do not overmix batter. Chill frosting if it becomes too soft. Cake layers can be made ahead and wrapped tightly for later assembly. For gluten-free or dairy-free adaptations, see blog variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry cake, fresh strawberry dessert, fluffy cake, strawberry frosting, spring dessert, summer cake, easy cake recipe, homemade cake, birthday cake, potluck dessert

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/fresh-strawberry-cake-recipe-easy-fluffy-dessert-with-creamy-frosting/