Strawberry Dream Cake – Fluffy Layers with Creamy Strawberry Bliss

A dreamy dessert layered with moist vanilla cake, strawberry cream filling, and whipped frosting—all in perfect berry harmony.

🎉 Introduction

This Strawberry Dream Cake lives up to its name—it’s soft, light, and bursting with sweet strawberry flavor. Perfect for spring birthdays, Valentine’s Day, baby showers, or any celebration that calls for something beautiful and berry-full. 🍓✨

Layered with a fluffy vanilla sponge, real strawberry cream filling, and topped with airy whipped frosting and fresh strawberries, this cake is like a love letter to summer in every bite.

🛒 Ingredients

🍰 For the Vanilla Cake

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk

🍓 For the Strawberry Filling

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

🍥 For the Whipped Strawberry Frosting

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup cooled strawberry reduction (from filling)

✨ For Garnish

• Fresh strawberries, halved
• Optional: White chocolate curls or mint leaves

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Bake the Vanilla Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg whites one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until fully combined.
6. Divide evenly into pans and bake for 28–32 minutes. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Filling

1. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Cook over medium heat until strawberries release juices (5–7 minutes).
3. Add cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened (2–3 minutes).
4. Cool completely; reserve ½ cup for the frosting.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Frosting

1. Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
2. Add vanilla extract and cooled strawberry reduction.
3. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Chill until needed.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Level the cake layers if needed.
2. Place first layer on cake board; spread with strawberry filling.
3. Add second layer and frost entire cake with whipped frosting.
4. Decorate with halved strawberries, chocolate curls, or mint.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 30 minutes
• Assembly & Chill: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~1½ hours

🥄 Variations

• Strawberry Lemon Cake: Add lemon zest to cake batter and lemon curd between layers.
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake: Add a ganache drizzle over frosting.
• Vegan Version: Use dairy-free whipped topping and egg substitute.
• Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the cake base.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Cake layers and filling can be made 1 day ahead.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
   Yes—just thaw and drain before cooking into filling.
2. Can I use boxed cake mix?
   Absolutely. Use white or vanilla cake mix and add 1 tsp vanilla extract.
3. Is the filling too runny?
   No—cornstarch thickens it for perfect layering.
4. Can I skip whipped frosting?
   Yes—substitute with buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
5. Can I add strawberry extract?
   For stronger flavor, add ½ tsp to the frosting.
6. Is it sweet or tart?
   Balanced! The sugar in the filling keeps it pleasantly sweet.
7. Can I make cupcakes?
   Yes—makes 24 cupcakes; fill centers with strawberry filling.
8. Do I need a mixer?
   A hand or stand mixer is best for whipped frosting.
9. What makes this a “dream” cake?
   The soft texture, fruity filling, and airy frosting—it’s light and luxurious.
10. Can I color the frosting?
    Sure! Add pink gel food coloring for extra vibrance.

🏁 Conclusion

This Strawberry Dream Cake is sweet, light, and full of sunshine in every forkful. Perfect for any occasion where love and berries are in the air. The soft sponge, creamy whipped frosting, and real strawberry filling make it an irresistible dessert centerpiece.

Whip it up, slice in, and enjoy your dreamy strawberry moment. 🍓💫

Adam

Strawberry Dream Cake – Fluffy Layers with Creamy Strawberry Bliss

This Strawberry Dream Cake lives up to its name—it’s soft, light, and bursting with sweet strawberry flavor. Perfect for spring birthdays, Valentine’s Day, baby showers, or any celebration that calls for something beautiful and berry-full. 🍓✨ Layered with a fluffy vanilla sponge, real strawberry cream filling, and topped with airy whipped frosting and fresh strawberries, this cake is like a love letter to summer in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

bake & Assembly & Chill time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍰 For the Vanilla Cake

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk

🍓 For the Strawberry Filling

• 2 cups fresh strawberries diced
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water slurry
• 🍥 For the Whipped Strawberry Frosting
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup cooled strawberry reduction from filling

✨ For Garnish

• Fresh strawberries halved
• Optional: White chocolate curls or mint leaves

Method

 

Step 1: Bake the Vanilla Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg whites one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until fully combined.
6. Divide evenly into pans and bake for 28–32 minutes. Cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Strawberry Filling

1. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
2. Cook over medium heat until strawberries release juices (5–7 minutes).
3. Add cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened (2–3 minutes).
4. Cool completely; reserve ½ cup for the frosting.

Step 3: Make the Whipped Frosting

1. Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
2. Add vanilla extract and cooled strawberry reduction.
3. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Chill until needed.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Level the cake layers if needed.
2. Place first layer on cake board; spread with strawberry filling.
3. Add second layer and frost entire cake with whipped frosting.
4. Decorate with halved strawberries, chocolate curls, or mint.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Strawberry Lemon Cake: Add lemon zest to cake batter and lemon curd between layers.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake: Add a ganache drizzle over frosting.

Vegan Version: Use dairy-free whipped topping and egg substitute.

Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the cake base.

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months.

Make-Ahead Tip: Cake layers and filling can be made 1 day ahead.

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes—just thaw and drain before cooking into filling.

Can I use boxed cake mix?
Absolutely. Use white or vanilla cake mix and add 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Is the filling too runny?
No—cornstarch thickens it for perfect layering.

Can I skip whipped frosting?
Yes—substitute with buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

Can I add strawberry extract?
For stronger flavor, add ½ tsp to the frosting.

Is it sweet or tart?
Balanced! The sugar in the filling keeps it pleasantly sweet.

Can I make cupcakes?
Yes—makes 24 cupcakes; fill centers with strawberry filling.

Do I need a mixer?
A hand or stand mixer is best for whipped frosting.

What makes this a “dream” cake?
The soft texture, fruity filling, and airy frosting—it’s light and luxurious.

Can I color the frosting?
Sure! Add pink gel food coloring for extra vibrance.

🏁 Conclusion
This Strawberry Dream Cake is sweet, light, and full of sunshine in every forkful. Perfect for any occasion where love and berries are in the air. The soft sponge, creamy whipped frosting, and real strawberry filling make it an irresistible dessert centerpiece.

Whip it up, slice in, and enjoy your dreamy strawberry moment. 🍓💫