Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping dessert that captures the essence of ripe, sun-kissed berries, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting. Each slice is a celebration of fresh strawberries, rich buttery cake, and a dreamy pink frosting that’s as irresistible to look at as it is to eat. Ideal for birthdays, spring gatherings, or whenever you want to impress, this cake delivers big strawberry flavor, a pillowy-soft crumb, and a burst of natural color that makes every occasion special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

When it comes to this recipe, the magic lies in using basic but high-quality ingredients. Every component brings something unique—sweetness, tenderness, moisture, or that eye-catching color that only strawberries can provide. Here’s what you’ll need and why each part matters:

• Cake flour: This gives your cake a delicate, tender crumb that melts in your mouth with every bite.
• Baking powder: Ensures your cake rises perfectly, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Just a touch balances out the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsalted butter (for cake and frosting): Adds richness and that irresistible buttery flavor. Using unsalted lets you control the seasoning.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps cream the butter to a perfect, fluffy consistency.
• Large eggs: Bind everything together and add structure and richness to the cake.
• Vanilla extract (for both cake and frosting): Lends a warm, fragrant background note that enhances the freshness of the strawberries.
• Whole milk: Keeps the batter luxuriously moist.
• Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and extra moisture for a tender, almost velvety cake.
• Fresh strawberries (finely chopped): Provide bursts of real fruit flavor and a pop of color inside every slice.
• Strawberry puree (for cake and frosting): Intensifies that berry flavor throughout both the cake and the frosting, and gives the icing its gorgeous pink hue.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting while keeping it perfectly smooth and spreadable.
• Heavy cream (or milk, as needed): Helps you adjust the frosting to that dreamy, fluffy consistency.
• Pinch of salt (for frosting): Just enough to balance all the sweetness and bring out the strawberry flavor.

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This extra step guarantees easy cake release and crumb-free layers ready for frosting.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. This not only blends them but also helps aerate the flour, giving your Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting that signature lightness.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on high speed until the mixture looks pale and fluffy, about three minutes. This step is key for a soft, tender cake, as it incorporates air into the batter.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack the eggs in one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract. This not only emulsifies the batter but adds richness and that classic cake flavor.

Step 5: Combine Milk and Sour Cream

In a small bowl, whisk the whole milk and sour cream until smooth. This mixture will make the cake extra moist and give it a subtle tang that complements the berries beautifully.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together. This ensures a lump-free, ultra-tender cake.

Step 7: Fold in Strawberries

Gently fold in the strawberry puree and the finely chopped fresh strawberries until evenly distributed in the batter. The fruit adds both flavor and those signature juicy pops to your Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting.

Step 8: Bake

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Slide them into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like a strawberry dream!

Step 9: Cool the Cakes

Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent the layers from getting soggy and ensures your frosting won’t melt when you assemble the cake.

Step 10: Make the Strawberry Frosting

Beat the softened butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about two minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour in the strawberry puree and vanilla extract, and beat until incorporated. If too thick, add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time; if too loose, add more powdered sugar. Whip in a pinch of salt and beat on high for two more minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistibly pink.

Step 11: Frost and Assemble

Place one cake layer on your serving plate and generously spread frosting over the top. All those pretty strawberry bits peek through! Top with your second layer and coat the entire cake with a thick blanket of strawberry frosting, making swirls or rustic peaks as you like.

Step 12: Garnish and Serve

If you wish, garnish with a handful of fresh strawberries for that dazzling bakery finish. Slice and enjoy your Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting immediately or refrigerate for later.

How to Serve Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting

Garnishes

To make your cake really pop, try crowning it with whole or halved fresh strawberries, a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, or even a sprig of mint. A few edible flowers scattered on top can add that extra wow factor for a parties or special celebrations.

Side Dishes

A slice of Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting is delightful on its own, but it pairs beautifully with scoops of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a handful of lightly toasted almonds for a little crunch. For extra berry flair, serve with a side of mixed berries macerated in a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the classic layer cake look by serving smaller, single-layer squares topped with frosting and berries, or create an adorable “naked cake” with the sides lightly frosted and berries tumbling down. Cupcakes work fabulously, too—just divide the batter between muffin tins and top each with a swirl of strawberry frosting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The cake stays moist, and the frosting keeps its creamy texture. Let slices come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

If you’d like to prepare ahead, you can freeze the unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, up to two months. The strawberry frosting can be frozen separately in an airtight container. Thaw both in the refrigerator, then whip the frosting again before assembling.

Reheating

While you typically won’t need to reheat cake, you can bring cold slices to room temperature by letting them sit out for about 30 minutes before serving. This brings back all the flavors and soft texture, making your Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting taste bakery-fresh.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture from watering down your batter or frosting. Pureeing them works just as beautifully, so you can enjoy this cake any time of year.

How do I get the brightest pink color in the frosting?

If your strawberries are very pale, you can add a drop or two of natural red food coloring to your frosting for an extra pop of color. But fresh, ripe berries typically provide a lovely rosy hue all on their own!

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

You sure can! Substitute your favorite gluten-free baking flour blend for the cake flour, and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free as needed. Just be aware the texture may be slightly different, but still delicious.

Can I use this recipe to make cupcakes?

Yes! Divide the batter among lined muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake at the same temperature for 16 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Top with swirls of that dreamy strawberry frosting.

Can I skip the sour cream?

I don’t recommend skipping the sour cream, as it’s key for the cake’s moistness and richness. If you’re out, plain Greek yogurt is a wonderful substitute with a similar tang and texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably joyful about sharing a Homemade Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting, whether it’s for a celebration or a simple weekend dessert. The burst of fresh strawberries and the luscious pink frosting make it a standout treat every single time. Dive in and make it for yourself—you might just create your new signature cake!

Print