If you have a soft spot for all things strawberry and crave a cake that bursts with fruity, creamy goodness, then you are in for a treat with the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe. This cake brings together a moist, tender crumb infused with real strawberry flavor, paired with the most luscious cream cheese frosting that carries a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Made with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a showstopper for any occasion and sure to become your new favorite dessert to share with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering fresh, flavorful ingredients is the first step toward making the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe shine. Each item plays a crucial role in texture, taste, or luscious color, ensuring every bite is a strawberry lover’s dream come true.
- White cake mix (18.25 oz): A convenient base that creates a fluffy, tender cake foundation.
- Large eggs (4): Add structure and richness to your batter.
- Strawberry-flavored instant gelatin (3 oz): Infuses vibrant strawberry flavor and helps keep the cake moist.
- Frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (15 oz + 10 oz): Provides natural sweetness and authentic strawberry essence for both cake and frosting.
- Water (1/4 cup): Hydrates the batter for perfect consistency.
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup): Keeps the cake tender and moist without overpowering flavors.
- Confectioners’ sugar (7 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to creamy perfection.
- Cream cheese, softened (8 oz): Adds a tangy creaminess that complements the strawberry notes beautifully.
- Softened butter (1/4 cup): Enhances richness and smooth texture in the frosting.
- Strawberry extract (1/2 teaspoon): A finishing touch to amplify the strawberry flavor in your frosting.
How to Make Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) because a well-heated oven ensures your cake bakes evenly. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking and give your cakes those perfect sides that come right out of the pan with ease.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, strawberry gelatin, pureed strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mixing these carefully blends the flavors and the right texture. Be sure to mix just until everything is combined to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans so both layers bake uniformly. Bake for about 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely to prep for the delicious frosting phase.
Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cake cools, blend softened butter and cream cheese until silky smooth. This base is creamy and luscious, and when you add 1/4 cup of strawberry puree and strawberry extract, it turns into a vibrant spread bursting with fresh flavor. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar to reach the perfect balance of sweetness and fluffy texture.
Step 5: Assemble and Frost
Once cooled, frost each layer generously with your strawberry cream cheese frosting. The juicy, soft cake combined with the luscious frosting is exactly why this stands out as the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe. If you want to add a beautiful finishing touch, top it with fresh strawberries for some natural sweetness and stunning presentation.
How to Serve Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh strawberries sliced or halved on top add a fresh burst of flavor and pop of color that makes this cake irresistible at first glance. You can also sprinkle a little finely chopped mint or edible flowers for a touch of elegance and freshness.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. For an extra special touch, serve with fresh berry compote or a light citrus salad that cuts through the sweetness and refreshes the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Instead of traditional layers, try making cupcakes or a trifle with the cake broken into chunks layered with frosting and berries. Another fun idea is to use the cake batter to make a strawberry poke cake, infusing even more strawberry syrup inside after baking for a super moist experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cake covered tightly in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 3 days and actually tastes better after the flavors have had a chance to meld overnight. Make sure it’s wrapped or in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake layers (without frosting) wrapped snugly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge before frosting. The frosting itself freezes well if stored separately in an airtight container; just whip it again lightly after thawing.
Reheating
While best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, if you want a slightly warm slice, microwave individual portions in short 10-second bursts to avoid melting the frosting too much. Enjoy the cake with your favorite chilled accompaniment afterward.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen for this recipe?
Absolutely! Fresh strawberries will work wonderfully; just puree them as specified. You might want to reduce added liquids slightly since fresh berries typically have more water content than frozen.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the white cake mix with a trusted gluten-free cake mix and ensure your other ingredients don’t contain gluten. The cake will still be moist and delicious thanks to the gelatin and strawberries.
Can I make the frosting without cream cheese?
While cream cheese adds that perfect tang and creaminess, you can make a buttercream frosting instead using butter and confectioners’ sugar with strawberry puree. It won’t have the same depth but will still be tasty.
How long does this cake need to cool before frosting?
It’s important that the cake layers are completely cool, at least an hour, to prevent the frosting from melting. Cooling also helps cake layers firm up, making them easier to frost and stack.
Can this recipe be doubled for larger gatherings?
Definitely! Just double all ingredients and bake in larger or multiple pans. Adjust baking times if necessary and keep an eye on the doneness with a toothpick test.
Final Thoughts
This Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe is such a joy to make and to share. Its vibrant strawberry flavor, fluffy texture, and heavenly cream cheese frosting combine into an unforgettable dessert experience. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet and fruity, this recipe will quickly become a cherished staple in your kitchen. Go ahead and give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!
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Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Best Strawberry Cake Ever combines the light, fluffy texture of a classic white cake with the fresh, fruity flavor of strawberries in both the batter and frosting. Made with a white cake mix enhanced by strawberry gelatin and pureed strawberries, it’s topped with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix (18.25 oz)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin (3 oz)
- 1 package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (15 oz)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Frosting:
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 package cream cheese (8 oz), softened
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (10 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, strawberry-flavored gelatin, 15 oz pureed frozen strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until all ingredients are well combined into a smooth batter.
- Bake the Cakes: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cakes are fully baked.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cakes cool, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the pureed frozen strawberries and the strawberry extract, then gradually incorporate the confectioners’ sugar, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers have cooled completely, frost them with the strawberry cream cheese frosting. Optionally, garnish with fresh strawberries for an extra decorative touch and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Use fresh strawberries as garnish to enhance freshness and presentation.
- If fresh or frozen strawberries without syrup are available, you can substitute, but adjust sugar accordingly.
- For best results, allow the frosted cake to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Storage: Keep leftover cake refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
