The Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
Introduction
This strawberry cake is a delightful twist on a classic white cake, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor in every bite. Topped with creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for celebrations or any time you want a sweet, fruity treat.
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
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 10-ounce package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Freshly sliced strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix and strawberry-flavored gelatin. Add the pureed strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Step 3: Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Step 4: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on wire racks.
- Step 5: For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
- Step 6: Beat in ¼ cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract. Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is smooth.
- Step 7: Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread the frosting between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
- Step 8: If desired, garnish the cake with sliced fresh strawberries.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh strawberries instead of frozen for a brighter flavor and natural sweetness.
- Substitute strawberry extract with vanilla if you prefer a milder frosting taste.
- For a lighter frosting, reduce the confectioners’ sugar slightly or add a spoonful of sour cream.
- To prevent sogginess, drain some syrup from the thawed strawberries before pureeing.
Storage
Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Leftover frosting can be kept in the fridge for a week and re-whipped if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh strawberries can be pureed and used in place of frozen. They will give a fresher flavor, just make sure to add a little syrup or sugar if the berries are not sweet enough.
Is it okay to omit the strawberry gelatin?
You can omit the strawberry gelatin, but it adds a more intense strawberry flavor and a slight rosy color to the cake. Without it, the strawberry taste will be milder.
PrintThe Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
This Best Strawberry Cake Ever is a moist and flavorful white cake infused with strawberry gelatin and pureed frozen strawberries, layered with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting and garnished with fresh strawberries for a delightful and visually stunning dessert perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cake 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
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 10-ounce package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Freshly sliced strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans to ensure the cakes do not stick.
- Make Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix and strawberry-flavored instant gelatin. Add the pureed frozen strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the ingredients together until the batter is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove them from the pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add Strawberry Flavor: Beat in ¼ cup of the pureed strawberries and the strawberry extract to the cream cheese mixture until combined.
- Incorporate Sugar: Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar to the mixture while continuing to beat, ensuring the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting between the cake layers, then cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting for a smooth finish.
- Garnish: Optionally, decorate the top of the cake with freshly sliced strawberries to add an attractive, fresh touch.
Notes
- Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute fresh strawberries for the frozen ones when in season for a fresher flavor.
- For extra strawberry flavor, chill the cake before serving.
- The cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To prevent the frosting from becoming too thin, avoid thawing the strawberries for the frosting to a watery consistency; drain excess syrup if needed.
Keywords: strawberry cake, strawberry cream cheese frosting, white cake mix, strawberry gelatin, frozen strawberries dessert, layered cake, easy strawberry cake
