🍓 Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe (Fresh & Fluffy)

Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe

🍓 Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe (Fresh & Fluffy)

Craving a fresh, fluffy strawberry cake that tastes like summer? 🍓 This homemade version is made with real strawberries, not artificial flavors or boxed mixes. Every bite is bursting with berry goodness, soft crumb, and a tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth.

Whether you’re baking for birthdays, baby showers, or simply celebrating strawberry season — this from-scratch strawberry cake recipe will be your new favorite dessert.


⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • 🍓 Made with fresh strawberry puree for authentic flavor
  • 🎂 Soft, fluffy texture that stays moist for days
  • 🌸 Naturally pink — no fake colors needed
  • 🧁 Perfect for birthdays, parties, or romantic dinners
  • 💕 Cream cheese frosting adds tangy, rich flavor

📖 A Little History & Appeal of Strawberry Cake

Strawberry cake dates back to the late 1800s in America, when fresh berries became widely available. The earliest versions were simple — yellow cake with strawberries and whipped cream. By the mid-1900s, boxed mixes introduced the pink cakes we know today — but most used artificial coloring and flavoring.

This modern homemade version returns to the cake’s roots — using real strawberries cooked into a reduction for intense, natural berry flavor. It captures the nostalgia of summer picnics and the joy of baking something beautiful from scratch.


🍓 Key Ingredients for the Perfect Strawberry Cake

For the Cake

  • Fresh Strawberries (2 lbs / 900g) – Choose fully ripe, fragrant berries.
  • Cake Flour (3 cups / 360g) – Creates a light, tender crumb.
  • Granulated Sugar (2 cups / 400g) – Sweetness + structure.
  • Unsalted Butter (1 cup / 2 sticks / 226g) – Room temperature (65–67°F).
  • Eggs (4 large) – Room temperature for proper emulsification.
  • Whole Milk (¾ cup / 180ml) – Adds richness and moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract (2 tsp) – Enhances the strawberry flavor.
  • Baking Powder (2½ tsp) and Baking Soda (½ tsp) – Light, airy lift.
  • Salt (¾ tsp) – Balances the sweetness.

For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Cream Cheese (16 oz / 450g) – Full-fat and room temperature.
  • Unsalted Butter (1 cup / 226g) – Room temperature for a smooth texture.
  • Powdered Sugar (4–5 cups / 500–600g) – Sifted for lump-free frosting.
  • Reduced Strawberry Puree (½ cup) – Intensifies natural flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
  • Salt (¼ tsp)

🔬 Step-by-Step: Making the Strawberry Puree

This step is what makes your cake taste fresh and fruity, not artificial.

  1. Clean the Berries – Rinse under cool water, pat dry.
  2. Hull – Remove the green tops and white core.
  3. Puree – Blend until smooth (you should have about 3 cups).
  4. Reduce – Pour puree into a saucepan, simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until it thickens to 1½ cups (about 25–30 minutes).
  5. Cool Completely before adding to batter or frosting.

Tip: The puree should coat the back of a spoon — that’s when the flavor is concentrated.


⚗️ Baking Science Behind the Perfect Cake

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure smooth emulsion and even rise.
  • Creaming Butter & Sugar: Beat 3–5 minutes until pale and fluffy — this traps air that expands in the oven for a light crumb.
  • Do Not Overmix: Once flour is added, mix only until just combined to avoid a dense texture.
  • Measure Flour Properly: Spoon and level method — never scoop directly.

🧁 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch pans or line with parchment rounds.

2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar

Beat butter for 1 minute until creamy. Add sugar and beat 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.

4️⃣ Add Eggs & Vanilla

Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

5️⃣ Alternate Dry & Milk

With mixer on low, add ⅓ of dry ingredients, then ½ milk, repeat, ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently.

6️⃣ Fold in Strawberry Puree

Add 1 cup of reduced strawberry puree, fold gently until just incorporated. Don’t overmix.

7️⃣ Bake

Divide batter among pans. Bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8️⃣ Cool

Let cakes cool in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Cool completely before frosting.


🍰 Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Beat cream cheese + butter on medium-high until smooth (2 minutes).
  2. Add powdered sugar gradually; beat until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
  3. Add strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt. Beat until well combined.
  4. Chill frosting for 15–20 minutes if too soft before decorating.

🎨 Assembly & Decoration

  1. Level Cakes: Trim domed tops for even stacking.
  2. Layer: Place first cake, spread 1 cup frosting. Repeat for second layer.
  3. Crumb Coat: Apply thin layer, refrigerate 20 minutes.
  4. Final Frosting: Smooth sides, swirl top decoratively.
  5. Garnish: Top with fresh strawberries, white chocolate curls, or edible flowers.

🧠 Pro Baker Tips for Best Results

  • Use frozen berries when fresh aren’t available (thaw & drain first).
  • Always weigh ingredients for accuracy.
  • Reduce puree completely — watery puree ruins texture.
  • Cool layers before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Slice with a hot, dry knife for perfect presentation.

🌈 Flavor & Texture Profile

  • Flavor: Sweet, real strawberry essence with slight tang.
  • Texture: Moist, tender crumb with silky frosting.
  • Color: Natural blush pink that deepens as it bakes.

🔄 Variations & Substitutions

  • 🥥 Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk + vegan butter.
  • 🍋 Lemon Strawberry Cake: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to batter.
  • 🧁 Cupcakes: Bake 18–22 minutes at 350°F.
  • 🍫 Chocolate Strawberry Cake: Add ¼ cup cocoa to dry mix.

🍽️ Serving & Storage

  • Room Temp: Safe for 24 hours if cool.
  • Refrigerate: Up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
  • Freeze: Unfrosted layers up to 2 months (wrap tightly).

⚠️ Troubleshooting Guide

ProblemLikely CauseFix
Cake sinks in centerUnderbaked / opened oven too earlyBake full time, check doneness carefully
Dry textureOverbaked / too much flourMeasure accurately, don’t overmix
Frosting too softPuree not fully reducedChill frosting or reduce puree further
Faded pink colorOverbakingAdd 1–2 drops of natural pink coloring if desired

🧮 Nutrition (Per Slice, 1/12 of cake)

NutrientAmount
Calories420 kcal
Protein4 g
Carbs54 g
Fat21 g
Saturated Fat12 g
Sugar39 g
Fiber1 g
Sodium180 mg
Cholesterol80 mg

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes! Just thaw, drain, and reduce them as you would fresh berries.

Q2. How can I make it more pink naturally?
Use concentrated puree or add a few drops of beet juice.

Q3. Can I bake this as cupcakes or a sheet cake?
Absolutely — just adjust bake time (18–22 mins for cupcakes, 35 mins for 9×13 pan).

Q4. Why did my cake turn brown?
Overbaking or too hot an oven can dull the pink hue. Bake only until set.


🍓 Final Thoughts

This Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe celebrates everything wonderful about baking with fresh fruit — vibrant color, pure flavor, and that nostalgic, summery feel. Reducing the strawberries and using quality ingredients turn a simple cake into something unforgettable.

Customize it with lemon zest, turn it into cupcakes, or add a white chocolate drizzle — no matter your twist, this cake will always taste like homemade happiness.

Happy Baking — and don’t forget to tag us on social media with your creations! 🍰 #SahibaaRecipe

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