If you have a soft spot for strawberries and crave a dessert that bursts with fruity sweetness and moist, tender crumb, then you absolutely must try the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe. This delightful cake takes a simple white cake mix and transforms it with luscious pureed strawberries and strawberry-flavored gelatin, resulting in a stunning pink hue and pure strawberry flavor in every bite. The creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting perfectly complements the cake, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Trust me, once you make this cake, it will quickly become a beloved classic in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe combines straightforward pantry staples with fresh frozen strawberries to create a cake that’s vibrant in flavor and truly unforgettable. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to enhance the texture, taste, and color of the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe.
- White cake mix (18.25 oz): The base of your cake, providing a light and fluffy texture.
- Large eggs (4): Bind ingredients together and add richness to the batter.
- Strawberry-flavored instant gelatin (3 oz): Boosts strawberry flavor and gives the cake its beautiful pink tint.
- Frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (15 oz + 10 oz): Adds natural strawberry sweetness and moisture throughout both the cake and frosting.
- Water (1/4 cup): Helps thin the batter to just the right consistency.
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup): Keeps the cake moist and tender with a subtle richness.
- Confectioners’ sugar (7 cups): Creates smooth, sweet frosting that balances the tangy cream cheese.
- Cream cheese (8 oz), softened: Gives the frosting a luscious creaminess and slight tang for depth of flavor.
- Butter (1/4 cup), softened: Adds smooth texture and flavor richness to the frosting.
- Strawberry extract (1/2 teaspoon): Intensifies the strawberry aroma and taste in the frosting.
How to Make Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans thoroughly to ensure your cake layers come out cleanly and retain their perfect shape. Prepping your baking equipment carefully sets the stage for a flawless bake.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix with the strawberry-flavored gelatin, pureed frozen strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Stir everything together until it’s completely smooth and well incorporated. This combination is what makes the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe shine with that signature strawberry flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Bake Your Cake
Evenly distribute the batter between your two prepared pans to ensure both layers bake uniformly. Bake them for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This step guarantees your cake will be perfectly cooked — moist but firm enough to hold together beautifully.
Step 4: Prepare the Frosting
While the cakes cool completely, whip together the softened butter and cream cheese until you get a smooth, creamy base. Add 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract, blending well to infuse the frosting with vibrant flavor. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches a luscious, spreadable consistency that’s ideal for layering and decorating.
Step 5: Assemble and Frost the Cake
Once the cake layers have cooled fully, frost the top of one layer and place the second on top. Spread the remaining frosting evenly over the top and sides for a smooth finish. If you like, garnish with fresh strawberries to add a fresh, juicy pop and an extra touch of elegance that complements the strawberry theme perfectly.
How to Serve Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh strawberries are the natural choice for garnishing this cake, adding a bright and inviting look. You can also dust the top lightly with powdered sugar or sprinkle some edible flower petals for an extra special presentation. These simple touches make your cake feel just a little more festive and gourmet.
Side Dishes
Serving the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can turn it into an even more indulgent treat. Fresh fruit salad or a citrusy sorbet also pairs wonderfully to balance the cake’s sweetness and refresh the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the cake into elegant slices and serving on pretty plates with drizzles of strawberry sauce or even a sprinkle of toasted almonds for crunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, turn it into a trifle by layering cake pieces with whipped cream and fresh strawberries in a glass bowl for a stunning dessert display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying this delightful cake, wrap leftover slices tightly in plastic wrap or place the whole cake in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and keep the frosting creamy and delicious.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap the unfrosted cake layers well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and frost as usual for fresh cake anytime.
Reheating
This cake tastes great chilled, so reheating is generally not necessary. However, if you prefer your cake slightly warmed, gently warm a slice in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds—just enough to bring out the flavors without melting the frosting.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh strawberries can be pureed and used in place of the frozen ones. Just make sure to add a little sugar if your fresh berries aren’t very sweet, and reduce the moisture slightly if needed to maintain the cake’s texture.
Is this cake suitable for special occasions?
Definitely! The Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe has a beautiful presentation and taste that makes it perfect for birthdays, holidays, and celebrations where you want to impress your guests with a vibrant, fruity dessert.
Can I make this cake vegan or gluten-free?
While the classic recipe uses a boxed white cake mix and eggs, you can experiment with vegan or gluten-free cake mixes and suitable egg replacements. Adjust the baking time as needed and ensure your frosting ingredients align with your dietary preferences.
How can I make the frosting less sweet?
If you find the frosting too sweet, consider reducing the confectioners’ sugar slightly or adding a bit more cream cheese to balance the sweetness with tanginess without compromising texture.
What’s the best way to get perfectly even cake layers?
Use a kitchen scale to divide your batter evenly between the pans for consistent thickness. You can also tap the pans gently on the counter before baking to release any air bubbles for smooth, flat tops that are easy to frost.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe that brings smiles and compliments every time it’s served. Its vibrant strawberry flavor, tender crumb, and luxurious cream cheese frosting combine to create a cake that feels both special and comforting. I can’t wait for you to try it and share this strawberry sensation with your friends and family—it just might become your new favorite go-to dessert!
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Best Strawberry Cake Ever Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Best Strawberry Cake Ever is a delightful and moist cake infused with real strawberries and strawberry gelatin for an extra burst of flavor. Topped with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for celebrations or any occasion where you want a fresh, fruity dessert that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (18.25 oz)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin (3 oz)
- 1 package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (15 oz)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Frosting Ingredients
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 package cream cheese (8 oz), softened
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed (10 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, strawberry-flavored gelatin, 15 oz pureed frozen strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add 10 oz strawberry puree and strawberry extract and beat well. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and continue beating until fully incorporated and frosting is smooth.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers have completely cooled, spread the strawberry cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of one layer, then place the second layer on top. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish the cake with fresh strawberries on top before serving for an attractive presentation and extra strawberry flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can substitute fresh pureed strawberries instead of thawed frozen strawberries if available.
- If you prefer a stronger strawberry flavor, you can add more strawberry extract to the frosting to taste.
- The frosting can be adjusted for sweetness by adding more or less confectioners’ sugar.
- This cake is best served within 2-3 days and stored refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting.
