This strawberry cake recipe is light, moist, and packed with real strawberry flavor—perfect for birthdays, spring gatherings, or anytime you want a fruity dessert that feels special. Made with simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s a favorite across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cake
Made with real strawberries (not artificial flavor)
Soft, fluffy crumb with natural pink color
Easy to make from scratch
Perfect with cream cheese or whipped frosting
Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
For the Strawberry Cake
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups sugar
4 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup fresh strawberry purée
½ cup milk (or buttermilk)
2 tsp vanilla extract
For Strawberry Purée
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
1 tbsp sugar (optional)
How to Make Strawberry Cake (Step-by-Step)
1. Prepare the Strawberry Purée
Blend strawberries until smooth. For stronger flavor, simmer the purée for 10–15 minutes until reduced and thicker. Let cool completely.
Tip: Reducing the purée is the secret to an intense strawberry taste 🍓
2. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans
3. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Baking powder
Salt
Set aside.
4. Cream Butter & Sugar
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes). This step helps create a soft cake texture.
5. Add Eggs & Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
6. Combine Everything
Add dry ingredients alternately with:
Strawberry purée
Milk
Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
7. Bake
Divide batter evenly between pans
Bake for 25–30 minutes
Cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean
Cool completely before frosting.
Best Frosting for Strawberry Cake
Cream Cheese Frosting (Highly Recommended)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Beat until smooth and creamy.
Other great options:
Whipped cream frosting
Strawberry buttercream
Vanilla buttercream
Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Cake
Use fresh strawberries for best flavor
Reduce strawberry purée to avoid soggy cake
Bring eggs and butter to room temperature
Chill cake layers before frosting for clean slices
Strawberry Cake Variations
Strawberry Lemon Cake: Add lemon zest
Strawberry Shortcake Style: Use whipped cream
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Cupcakes: Bake 18–22 minutes
How to Store Strawberry Cake
Room temperature: 1 day (unfrosted)
Refrigerator: Up to 4 days (frosted)
Freezer: Wrap layers tightly, freeze up to 2 months
Why This Strawberry Cake Recipe Works
This recipe balances moisture, sweetness, and real fruit flavor—making it a reliable, bakery-style strawberry cake you’ll want to make again and again.
Final Thoughts
This strawberry cake recipe is soft, flavorful, and naturally beautiful—perfect for celebrations or everyday baking. Once you try it with real strawberries, you’ll never go back to boxed mixes 🍰🍓