If you're looking to impress your friends and family with a homemade dessert that's bursting with flavor, look no further than this strawberry cake recipe. This moist and fragrant cake made from scratch is the perfect way to showcase the deliciousness of fresh strawberries, and it's surprisingly easy to make.
Whether it's for a special celebration or just a casual treat, this strawberry cake will leave everyone asking for the recipe.
Why Make Strawberry Cake from Scratch?
While boxed cake mixes may be convenient, there's something extra special about a cake made from scratch. When we make our strawberry cake from the ground up, we have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring that everything is fresh and flavorful. The fresh strawberries provide a natural sweetness that you simply can't get from a store-bought mix, and the texture is incredibly light and airy. Plus, there's a sense of satisfaction in knowing that we've created a dessert from start to finish.
Ingredients You'll Need
To get started, we'll need the following simple ingredients:
• Fresh strawberries: The star of the cake! We'll need about 1 cup of pureed strawberries to infuse the cake with flavor.
• All-purpose flour: This will form the base of our cake.
• Sugar: For sweetness, we'll use a combination of granulated sugar and powdered sugar.
• Baking powder: To help the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Eggs: For binding the ingredients together and giving the cake its structure.
• Milk and butter: These add moisture and richness to the batter.
• Vanilla extract: A hint of vanilla enhances the flavor and complements the strawberries.
For the frosting, we'll use:
• Cream cheese: For a rich, creamy frosting that pairs beautifully with the strawberry cake.
• Powdered sugar: To sweeten the frosting without making it too runny.
• Vanilla extract: To give the frosting a smooth, balanced flavor.
• A few fresh strawberries for decoration.
How to Make Strawberry Cake from Scratch
Making this strawberry cake is as simple as it is delicious. Here's how we can prepare it:
1. Prepare the strawberries: Start by washing and hulking the strawberries. Blend them into a puree using a food processor or blender. You'll need about one cup of strawberry puree to give the cake its vibrant flavor.
2. Make the batter: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and melted butter. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is well combined. Then, fold in the strawberry puree, and mix until the batter is smooth.
3. Bake the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Make the frosting: While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is creamy and fluffy.
5. Assemble the cake: Once the cakes have cooled completely, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of one cake. Place the second cake on top, and frost the entire cake, smoothing it out with a spatula. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices for a beautiful and tasty finish.
Tips for Success
• For extra strawberry flavor, consider adding chopped fresh strawberries into the batter, alongside the puree.
• Make sure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
• If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can substitute the cream cheese with whipped cream.
A Cake Worth Baking
This strawberry cake is the perfect combination of moist, fluffy texture and fresh, fruity flavor. The homemade frosting adds a creamy richness that complements the cake perfectly. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat, this cake will surely impress. It's a dessert that brings people together, creating memories and leaving everyone with a smile. We're sure this strawberry cake will become one of your favorite go-to recipes for any event or gathering.
