When it comes to tantalizing your taste buds with a dessert that epitomizes summer, nothing beats the vibrancy and sweetness of a homemade strawberry cake. Dubbed by many as the “Best Strawberry Cake Ever,” this recipe combines the lusciousness of strawberries with the comfort of a soft, fluffy cake, making it a perfect treat for any occasion. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step, sharing tips and secrets that will ensure your cake turns out as delightful as it sounds. Ready to impress your guests and indulge in some delicious baking? Let’s dive in!
Why This Strawberry Cake Recipe Stands Out
This isn’t just any strawberry cake. It is a finely crafted dessert that uses simple ingredients to deliver an extraordinary taste. Here’s why it stands out:
- Intense Strawberry Flavor: By using both strawberry-flavored gelatin and pureed strawberries, this cake offers a double dose of flavor, ensuring every bite is bursting with the fresh taste of strawberries.
- Moist and Tender Crumb: Thanks to the well-balanced mix of eggs, vegetable oil, and fruit purees, this cake achieves a moist texture that stays tender for days.
- Exquisite Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: Combining cream cheese with strawberry puree and extract creates a silky, flavorful frosting that complements the cake beautifully.
Ingredients and Equipment
To get started, you’ll need the following ingredients and basic kitchen equipment:
Ingredients:
- Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix (18.25 ounces)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin (3 ounces)
- 1 package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (15 ounces)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Frosting:
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 package cream cheese (8 ounces), softened
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (10 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
Equipment:
- Two 9-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Toothpick (for testing doneness)
Instructions
Step-by-Step Baking Process:
- Prepare the Oven and Pans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour the cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, blend the cake mix, strawberry gelatin, pureed strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water until smooth.
- Bake the Cake:
- Evenly distribute the batter between the two prepared pans.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the strawberry puree and extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble and Decorate:
- Once the cakes are cool, apply a generous layer of frosting on one cake layer, top with the second layer, and frost the outside of the cake.
- For a charming finish, garnish with freshly sliced strawberries.
- Presentation and Serving:
- Slice and serve on a decorative cake plate, pairing each serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Perfecting Your Strawberry Cake
Here are a few tips to ensure your “Best Strawberry Cake Ever” is a hit:
- Ingredient Quality: Use the freshest strawberries for garnishing and the best quality cake mix for a reliable texture.
- Frosting Flair: If the frosting is too thick, add a little more strawberry puree. If too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar.
- Serving Suggestion: This cake tastes best when served the same day but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen? Yes, fresh strawberries can be used. Just ensure they are pureed and possibly sweetened to taste similar to the syrup version.
- How long will this cake keep? Properly stored in the refrigerator, the cake will keep for up to 3 days.
- Can the cake be frozen? Yes, you can freeze the cake layers without frosting for up to a month. Thaw and frost before serving.
Indulge in the creation of this “Best Strawberry Cake Ever,” and share the joy and freshness of your culinary masterpiece. Whether for a family gathering, a summer picnic, or as a treat to yourself, this strawberry cake promises to deliver smiles and satisfaction with every slice. Happy baking!
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Best Strawberry Cake Ever – Delicious & Irresistible!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12
Description
Discover how to make the Best Strawberry Cake Ever! A perfect blend of juicy strawberries and creamy frosting that’s simply irresistible. Click for the full recipe!
Ingredients
- White cake mix (18.25 oz)
- Large eggs (4)
- Strawberry-flavored gelatin (3 oz)
- Frozen strawberries, thawed and pureed (15 oz)
- Water (1/4 cup)
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup)
Frosting:
- Confectioners’ sugar (7 cups)
- Cream cheese (8 oz), softened
- Softened butter (1/4 cup)
- Frozen strawberries, thawed and pureed (10 oz)
- Strawberry extract (1/2 tsp)
Instructions
Step-by-Step Baking Process:
- Prepare the Oven and Pans:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour the cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, blend the cake mix, strawberry gelatin, pureed strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water until smooth.
- Bake the Cake:
- Evenly distribute the batter between the two prepared pans.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the strawberry puree and extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble and Decorate:
- Once the cakes are cool, apply a generous layer of frosting on one cake layer, top with the second layer, and frost the outside of the cake.
- For a charming finish, garnish with freshly sliced strawberries.
- Presentation and Serving:
- Slice and serve on a decorative cake plate, pairing each serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
