Fresh Strawberry Cake
This strawberry cake uses fresh strawberries and freeze dried strawberries to give it the fresh strawberry flavor. It is a 9X9 strawberry cake topped with strawberry cream cheese frosting and swirled with homemade strawberry jam.
This delicious cake is packed with strawberry flavor! It has a tender and moist texture that makes it hard to put down, too! The strawberry cream cheese frosting gives it a great strawberries and cream flavor. This is the best treat to get your strawberry fix!
I have tips and tricks and process photos to easily help you make this recipe! If you love strawberry cake desserts, you have to try my strawberry vanilla cake.
Tips for making strawberry cake
Here are my tips, so yours turns out like this recipe!
- Tip 1: Don’t compact your flour when scooping. I recommend using a spoon to scoop the flour into your measuring cup as pressing the cup into the flour and against the side of the container can pack in extra flour and dry out your cake.
- Tip 2: Getting your dairy ingredients to room temperature before baking allows them to mix better and will help ensure you have a moist, tender cake!
- Tip 3: When you lightly puree the strawberries they should look like a salsa. You do not want to puree until they are all liquid.
- Tip 4: When making cream cheese frosting, it helps to beat the butter for 2 minutes on high speed before you add the cream cheese. In my experience, adding them both at the same time makes it more likely to split.
Decorating the cake
FAQ’s
Yes, you can make the cake layer ahead of time. Once you have cooled the cake, wrap it in cling wrap. You can freeze the cake for up to 30 days, or refrigerate it for up to 5 days. If frozen, pull the cake out to defrost 1 hour before decorating.
Yes! This cake can be made into about 18 cupcakes. I recommend putting the jam in the middle of the cupcakes as a filling.
Yes, you can use store-bought jam. If you do, I recommend using store-bought strawberry preserves instead of regular jam. This will have more chunks in it.
I found mine at my local grocery store. They can also be found at Target or Amazon.
Freeze-dried strawberries are a must to get strong strawberry flavor without sacrificing texture.
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Storing and Freezing
This cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The cake can also be placed in the freezer for up to 30 days. Take the cake out to defrost 1-2 hours before serving.
For more strawberry recipes, check out my
Make sure to leave a star review if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
Fresh Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
Strawberry Cake
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Cake flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 oz Freeze-dried strawberries, ground to a fine crumb
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 TBSP Oil, canola or vegetable
- 1 cup White granulated sugar
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 3 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup Lightly pureed strawberries, about half of a container of strawberries
- 3/4 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
Strawberry Jam
- 2 cups Strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 6 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
- 3/4 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups Powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup Freeze dried strawberries, 1 oz ground to a fine crumb
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberries, for topping the cake
Instructions
Strawberry Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9X9 inch baking pan with baking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray again.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 tsp Baking powder, 1/2 tsp Baking soda, 1/2 tsp Salt, 1 oz Freeze-dried strawberries, 3/4 cup Cake flour
- Using a food processor, wash the strawberries and lightly puree them. It will look kind of like chunky salsa.1 cup Lightly pureed strawberries
- Using a mixer, beat the butter, oil, and sugar. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Add the eggs, vanilla, and lightly pureed strawberries. Mix on medium until combined.1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 2 TBSP Oil, 1 cup White granulated sugar, 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract, 3 Large eggs
- Add in the dry ingredients, buttermilk, and grounded freeze dried strawberries. Mix on low until just combined.3/4 cup Buttermilk
- Take off the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl. Pour the cake batter into the cake pan.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let it sit in the hot pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool the cake completely before decorating.
Strawberry Jam
- Start this ahead of time or while the cake bakes.
- In a medium saucepan, add the strawberries and sugar. Heat over medium heat. Once the strawberries have softened, Lightly mash the strawberries. Heat until thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.2 cups Strawberries, 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
- Pour jam in a glass measuring cup, it will equal to about 1 cup. If any more than that, keep heating until it cooks down. Cool completely.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium bowl, sift the powdered sugar and add in the ground freeze dried strawberries.3 cups Powdered sugar, 1/4 cup Freeze dried strawberries
- Using a mixer, beat the butter on high speed for 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl and add the cream cheese. Beat for 1 minute until creamy and no chunks remain.6 oz Cream cheese, 3/4 cup Unsalted butter
- Add in half of the powdered sugar/ strawberry combo, and mix on low until just combined. Add in the rest of the powdered sugar and mix.
- Add in the vanilla and beat on high speed until creamy.1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- Use a serrated knife to cut a thin layer off the top of the cake, to make sure it is even. Spread the frosting over the top of the cake. Place small dollops of jam on top of the frosting. Use a spoon to swirl it in. Top with strawberries *optional.Fresh strawberries
Hi! I cannot find any freeze dried strawberries anywhere. Any suggestions? Can I just leave it out?
I got mine at target. You can also get some on amazon!
Can frozen strawberries be used?
I made this cake today for my Sons 56 th birthday. I made it exactly as per directions and it is perfect. Soft velvety crum light strawberry flavor…
However I made two changes. First I doubled the recipe. Then I poured the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and folded it in so as to hold on to the whipped creamy texture. It made a two layer 6” Cake for the birthday boy and two and 1/2 dozen jumbo cupcakes for the guests. Everyone loved the cake. Many asked for the recipe. I’ll definitely make this cake again. Thank you for this delicious recipe.
That is soooo amazing! I am so happy you loved it!!
I want to thank you for your reply to these comments on your cake. Most times, followers comments go unnoticed so thank you again!
Bee well. Linda
Love this Strawberry cake…I’ve made it several times and the flavor is out of this world!
Hi, I made your strawberry sheet cake for my pool party. The ladies loved the cake was so delicious 😋 I will definitely make this again. Thank you so much for the recipe enjoyed making it .
I made this weekend and it was delicious. Your photos along with the recipe inspired me to make it. Love the addition of freeze dried strawberries. Such a winner!!!