Craving a delightful treat bursting with the essence of fresh strawberries? Look no further than homemade strawberry cake recipes. This luscious dessert is a celebration of the vibrant flavors of ripe strawberries, elevating any occasion with its fruity sweetness. From classic strawberry shortcakes to innovative strawberry bundt cakes, the options are as endless as they are delicious.
Indulge in the juicy goodness of strawberries with every bite of this homemade delight. Whether you opt for a simple strawberry cake or explore variations like strawberry lemonade cake, each recipe promises a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Perfect for gatherings or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, homemade strawberry cakes are a delightful way to showcase the season’s best produce. Get ready to savor the taste of summer with these irresistible strawberry-infused creations.
Ingredients for Homemade Strawberry Cake
Creating a homemade strawberry cake is a delightful culinary adventure filled with the freshest and most flavorful ingredients. From the luscious strawberry puree to the light and fluffy cake batter, every component plays a crucial role in crafting this delectable treat. The crowning glory of the cake, the strawberry cream cheese frosting, adds a rich and tangy finish that perfectly complements the sweet strawberry undertones.
Strawberry Puree
- 1 cup Fresh or frozen strawberries
Cake Batter
- 1 cup Vegetable oil
- 1 cup Strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon Strawberry extract
- 3 cups Cake flour
- 1 tablespoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- A pinch of Salt
- 3 sticks (339g) Unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz (226g) Cream cheese, softened
- 67 cups (690-805g) Confectioners’ sugar
- Pink coloring gel (optional)
- ½ cup Reduced strawberry puree
- 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted butter
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 7 cups Confectioners’ sugar
Necessary Equipment
When preparing this homemade strawberry cake recipe, having the right equipment is essential to ensure a successful baking experience. Here are the bakeware and utensils you’ll need:
- Three 8-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper for lining the pans
- Blender or food processor for pureeing strawberries
- Mixing bowls for combining ingredients
- Electric mixer for blending the cake batter
- Spatula for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient measurements
- Cooling rack for cooling the cake layers
Having these essential bakeware and utensils ready will help streamline the baking process and ensure that your homemade strawberry cake turns out perfect.
Preparing the Strawberry Puree
Cooking Process
- Begin by quartering your fresh strawberries and placing them in a blender.
- Puree the strawberries until smooth, ensuring there are no large chunks.
- Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve into a measuring cup, yielding about 1 to 1 ¼ cups of juice.
- Set aside the berry pulp and any remaining pureed berries for the jam filling.
- Pour the strawberry juice into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until reduced to ⅓ cup.
- Check the reduction by pouring into a measuring cup; if not reduced enough, continue cooking.
- Once reduced, combine the strawberry reduction with milk and whisk together. Add food coloring if desired and set aside.
- Store the prepared strawberry puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and bring to room temperature before using in the recipe.
Making the Strawberry Cake Batter
Creating the perfect strawberry cake batter is crucial for a flavorful and moist cake. Follow these steps to achieve a light, fluffy, and strawberry-infused batter.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
- Prepare the Flour:
- Sift together 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour mixture with the dry ingredients from the recipe. Ensure the ingredients are well incorporated for a consistent batter.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine the strawberry reduction, 1 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of milk, 4 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture for later use.
- Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Slowly add the butter (room temperature) to the dry ingredients while mixing on low speed. The result should be a sandy texture. Then, incorporate the majority of the wet mixture into the dry ingredients in two parts, mixing well after each addition.
By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you’ll create a strawberry cake batter that captures the essence of fresh strawberries and promises a delightful baking experience.
Baking the Cake
Baking the cake is a crucial step that ensures a delicious outcome. Preparing the oven and pans correctly is essential to achieving the perfect homemade strawberry cake.
Preheating the Oven
- Prepare the Oven: Place the oven rack in the middle position and preheat it to 350ºF (177ºC). Ensuring the right temperature is key to a well-baked cake.
- Grease and Flour: Grease and flour two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans to prevent the cake from sticking. This preparation step is vital to ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
Preparing the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Creating the perfect strawberry cream cheese frosting to adorn your homemade strawberry cake is a delightful process. Let’s dive into mixing the ingredients and ensuring the frosting’s ideal consistency.
Mixing Ingredients
To begin, soften three sticks of unsalted butter, along with an 8 oz package of cream cheese, until they are smooth and easily blendable. Gradually add 6 ¾ cups of confectioners’ sugar, adjusting the amount to your preference. For a flavorful twist, incorporate ¼ cup of strawberry puree—a divine addition to elevate the frosting’s taste. Don’t forget to add a teaspoon of strawberry extract for an extra burst of fruity essence.
Achieving the Right Consistency
To achieve a smooth and spreadable consistency for your strawberry cream cheese frosting, ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature. Whip the ingredients together until the frosting is creamy and holds its shape well. If desired, a small amount of pink coloring gel can be added for a touch of vibrant color. Adjust the frosting’s thickness by adding more confectioners’ sugar for a stiffer texture or a splash of milk for a lighter, smoother finish.
Assembling the Strawberry Cake
Putting together the strawberry cake is the final step in creating this delightful treat. Layering the cakes with the luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting and adding the finishing touches will result in a beautiful and delicious homemade dessert.
Layering and Frosting
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
- Spread a generous amount of the strawberry cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake layer.
- Press chopped fresh strawberries into the frosting.
- Repeat the process with the second cake layer.
- Top with the final cake layer.
- Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting, ensuring all sides are covered.
- Pipe decorative shells around the bottom and top edges of the cake for a polished look.
- For a finishing touch, add a few whole strawberries on top of the cake.
- Serve the strawberry cake with pride, knowing that each slice is packed with natural strawberry flavor and a light, fluffy texture.
- If desired, dust the top with powdered sugar before serving to enhance the presentation.
- Enjoy your homemade strawberry cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
After creating this delicious homemade strawberry cake, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness.
Refrigeration
To preserve the cake’s quality, store any leftover cake in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly to prevent drying out and store it for up to 5 days.
Conclusion
Creating a homemade strawberry cake is a delightful experience that combines the freshness of strawberries with the sweetness of cream cheese frosting. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can whip up a delicious cake that will impress your family and friends. Remember to use the best quality ingredients and take your time to savor each bite of this decadent treat. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with whipped cream or ice cream, this strawberry cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. So go ahead, bake with confidence, and indulge in the fruity goodness of a homemade strawberry cake that will leave everyone craving for more.
