Homemade Strawberry Cake – Bursting with Fresh Strawberry Flavor

A soft, fluffy pink cake layered with rich cream cheese frosting and the intense sweetness of real strawberries—perfect for birthdays, spring celebrations, or any day that deserves something extra special!

🎉 Introduction

Skip the boxed mixes—this Homemade Strawberry Cake is packed with real strawberry flavor from both freeze-dried strawberries and fresh strawberries. The result? Moist, tender pink cake layers with a natural strawberry taste, topped with dreamy cream cheese frosting. It’s sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible. 🍓💕

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 2 or 3 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans
• Food processor or blender
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Mixing bowls (large & medium)
• Whisk & spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Offset spatula
• Parchment paper

🛒 Ingredients

🍓 Strawberry Cake

• 2 cups freeze-dried strawberries
• 3¾ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and pureed
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 7 drops pink food coloring (optional, for vibrant pink)

🍰 Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 10 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 pinch salt

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prep & Preheat

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line cake pans with parchment; grease again.

Step 2: Make Strawberry Powder & Puree

1. In a food processor, pulse freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder; set aside.
2. Blend fresh strawberries into a smooth puree; measure ¾ cup for batter.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and strawberry powder.

Step 4: Cream Wet Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
3. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, pink food coloring, and strawberry puree until smooth.

Step 5: Combine Batter

1. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients gradually, mixing on low until just combined.

Step 6: Bake

1. Divide batter evenly among pans.
2. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
3. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time on low speed.
3. Mix in milk and pinch of salt; beat on high 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a plate; spread frosting on top.
2. Repeat with remaining layers.
3. Frost sides and top of cake; decorate with fresh strawberries if desired.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12–14
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Strawberry Lemon: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to batter and frosting
• Chocolate Strawberry: Add a layer of ganache between cakes
• Cupcakes: Divide into liners; bake 18–22 minutes
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store covered up to 5 days
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months; thaw before assembling
• Room Temp: Best enjoyed day of or within 2 days for freshest taste

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
   Yes—thaw and drain before pureeing.
2. Why freeze-dried strawberries?
   They add intense, real strawberry flavor without excess liquid.
3. Can I skip pink food coloring?
   Yes—the cake will still have a natural pink tint.
4. What frosting alternatives work?
   Swiss meringue or classic buttercream are great options.
5. Do I need a stand mixer?
   A hand mixer works fine.
6. Can I make it dairy-free?
   Use dairy-free butter, cream cheese, and milk substitutes.
7. What if I don’t have parchment?
   Grease pans well and dust with flour.
8. How do I keep layers moist?
   Don’t overbake; check early for doneness.
9. Can I add chopped strawberries?
   Yes—fold into batter for texture, but cake may be a bit denser.
10. Can I pipe frosting?
    Absolutely—this frosting holds shape beautifully!

🏁 Conclusion

This Homemade Strawberry Cake is a strawberry lover’s dream—soft, moist layers bursting with real strawberry flavor and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s, or any day you want a sweet, pink showstopper! 🍓🎂

Adam

Homemade Strawberry Cake – Bursting with Fresh Strawberry Flavor

A soft, fluffy pink cake layered with rich cream cheese frosting and the intense sweetness of real strawberries—perfect for birthdays, spring celebrations, or any day that deserves something extra special! 🎉 Introduction Skip the boxed mixes—this Homemade Strawberry Cake is packed with real strawberry flavor from both freeze-dried strawberries and fresh strawberries. The result? Moist, tender pink cake layers with a natural strawberry taste, topped with dreamy cream cheese frosting. It’s sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible. 🍓💕

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 14 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍓 Strawberry Cake

• 2 cups freeze-dried strawberries
• 3¾ cups fresh strawberries hulled and pureed
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1½ cups unsalted butter softened
• 4 large eggs room temperature
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 7 drops pink food coloring optional, for vibrant pink

🍰 Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 16 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 10 cups powdered sugar sifted
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 pinch salt

Equipment

• 2 or 3 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans
• Food processor or blender
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Mixing bowls (large & medium)
• Whisk & spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Offset spatula
• Parchment paper

Method

 

Step 1: Prep & Preheat

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line cake pans with parchment; grease again.

Step 2: Make Strawberry Powder & Puree

1. In a food processor, pulse freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder; set aside.
2. Blend fresh strawberries into a smooth puree; measure ¾ cup for batter.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and strawberry powder.

Step 4: Cream Wet Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
3. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, pink food coloring, and strawberry puree until smooth.

Step 5: Combine Batter

1. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients gradually, mixing on low until just combined.

Step 6: Bake

1. Divide batter evenly among pans.
2. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
3. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time on low speed.
3. Mix in milk and pinch of salt; beat on high 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on a plate; spread frosting on top.
2. Repeat with remaining layers.
3. Frost sides and top of cake; decorate with fresh strawberries if desired.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Strawberry Lemon: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to batter and frosting

Chocolate Strawberry: Add a layer of ganache between cakes

Cupcakes: Divide into liners; bake 18–22 minutes

Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store covered up to 5 days

Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months; thaw before assembling

Room Temp: Best enjoyed day of or within 2 days for freshest taste

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes—thaw and drain before pureeing.

Why freeze-dried strawberries?
They add intense, real strawberry flavor without excess liquid.

Can I skip pink food coloring?
Yes—the cake will still have a natural pink tint.

What frosting alternatives work?
Swiss meringue or classic buttercream are great options.

Do I need a stand mixer?
A hand mixer works fine.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter, cream cheese, and milk substitutes.

What if I don’t have parchment?
Grease pans well and dust with flour.

How do I keep layers moist?
Don’t overbake; check early for doneness.

Can I add chopped strawberries?
Yes—fold into batter for texture, but cake may be a bit denser.

Can I pipe frosting?
Absolutely—this frosting holds shape beautifully!

🏁 Conclusion
This Homemade Strawberry Cake is a strawberry lover’s dream—soft, moist layers bursting with real strawberry flavor and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s, or any day you want a sweet, pink showstopper! 🍓🎂