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The Best Homemade Strawberry Layer Cake with Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist slice of pink strawberry cake with white frosting layers, served with a fresh strawberry.

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You will bake a moist and fluffy strawberry layer cake bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, topped with a creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting. This is the ultimate homemade strawberry cake for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh strawberry puree (from about 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed and strained)
  • 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, finely diced
  • For the Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the 1 cup of strained strawberry puree until combined.
  5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of finely diced fresh strawberries.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  11. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, beating until combined.
  12. Mix in the 1/4 cup of strawberry puree and vanilla extract until the frosting is creamy and smooth. Add more powdered sugar if you need a thicker consistency.
  13. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread about one-third of the frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top.
  14. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining strawberry cream cheese frosting. Decorate as desired.

Notes

  • For the most intense strawberry flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries.
  • If you want a deeper pink color without adding too much liquid, add a drop or two of red food coloring to the frosting.
  • You can substitute the buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, letting it sit for 5 minutes.

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