Description
A moist, from-scratch strawberry layer cake made with fresh strawberries and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree (from about 1 cup fresh strawberries)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the finely chopped fresh strawberries.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
Notes
- For the best strawberry flavor, use ripe, sweet fresh strawberries.
- To make the strawberry puree, blend fresh strawberries until smooth, then measure out 1/2 cup.
- If you prefer a lighter frosting, substitute the cream cheese frosting with a stabilized whipped cream frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg