If you love fresh, fruity desserts that taste like summer, this homemade strawberry cake recipe is just what you need! Bursting with natural strawberry flavor and topped with a creamy frosting, it’s light, moist, and made completely from scratch — no boxed mix required. The best part? You can whip it up in just minutes, using simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a family gathering, or just to treat yourself, this strawberry cake recipe will become your new favorite. Let’s dive in!
🍓 Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cake
This isn’t your average pink cake — it’s made with real strawberries, giving it an authentic, juicy flavor and soft texture. Every bite tastes fresh and homemade, not artificial.
Here’s why people love it:
✅ Ready in under an hour — prep in minutes!
✅ Uses real strawberries (fresh or frozen).
✅ Moist, fluffy, and perfectly sweet.
✅ Ideal for birthdays, tea parties, or spring celebrations.
✅ Can be made as a layer cake, sheet cake, or cupcakes!
🧁 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the cake:
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
⅓ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup strawberry purée (see below)
For the strawberry purée:
1 ½ cups chopped fresh or frozen strawberries
1–2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
For the frosting:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup strawberry purée (or jam)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
🍓 Step 1: Make the Strawberry Purée
This step gives your cake its rich, natural flavor.
In a small saucepan, add the chopped strawberries.
Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until soft and syrupy.
Mash gently, then let cool.
Blend until smooth — that’s your strawberry purée!
If the purée seems watery, simmer it for a few extra minutes to thicken.
🥣 Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan or line with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, sour cream, milk, and strawberry purée.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth and creamy.
Your batter should be pink, thick, and slightly glossy — that’s how you know it’s perfect!
🍰 Step 3: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
💡 Tip: If you want a more intense strawberry color, you can add 1–2 drops of red or pink food coloring — but it’s totally optional!
🍓 Step 4: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy.
Add strawberry purée and vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
This frosting is creamy, slightly tangy, and bursting with strawberry flavor — it pairs beautifully with the soft cake layers.
🎂 Step 5: Assemble and Decorate
Once your cake has completely cooled:
Spread a generous layer of frosting over the top (and between layers, if making a layer cake).
Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or a few mint leaves for a finishing touch.
You can also dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a bit of melted white chocolate for a bakery-style look!
🕒 Quick Time-Saving Tips for Busy Days
If you’re short on time, here’s how to make this homemade strawberry cake even faster:
Use a blender or food processor to make strawberry purée in seconds.
Bake it as a sheet cake instead of layers — easier to frost and serve.
Make the cake a day ahead; store covered at room temperature, then frost before serving.
Double the purée and freeze half for next time!
🍓 Variations You’ll Love
Once you master this homemade strawberry cake recipe, try these fun twists:
Strawberry Lemon Cake: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of juice to the batter for a bright, tangy flavor.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cake: Frost with chocolate ganache instead of cream cheese for a decadent twist.
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes: Bake the batter in cupcake tins and top with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
Vegan Option: Swap butter for coconut oil, eggs for flax eggs, and dairy products for plant-based alternatives.
🧁 How to Store Your Strawberry Cake
At room temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days (if it’s cool).
In the fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
To freeze: Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost before frosting and serving.
🍓 Serving Ideas
Pair your homemade strawberry cake with:
Fresh berries and whipped cream
A drizzle of white chocolate
A scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence
This cake is light enough for brunch yet elegant enough for celebrations — it’s truly the perfect all-occasion dessert.
🌸 Final Thoughts: Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe in Minutes!
With its moist crumb, sweet berry flavor, and velvety frosting, this homemade strawberry cake recipe proves that you don’t need to be a pro baker to make something amazing.
In just a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a stunning dessert that looks and tastes straight out of a bakery — but made with love in your own kitchen. So grab those strawberries, preheat your oven, and make this strawberry cake today for a treat everyone will love! 🍓💖