Description
This Homemade Strawberry Layer Cake with Strawberry Frosting is the ultimate dessert for strawberry lovers. Made with real strawberries baked right into moist, fluffy cake layers and topped with a naturally pink, rich strawberry buttercream, it’s a show-stopping treat perfect for birthdays, spring gatherings, or any sweet occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberry puree (strained)
- Pink or red food coloring (optional, for deeper color)
- For the Strawberry Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix in sour cream and milk until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the strawberry puree. Do not overmix.
- Add a few drops of food coloring if desired for a brighter pink hue.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in freeze-dried strawberry powder, vanilla, salt, and cream until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the cake by layering with frosting between each layer and spreading evenly on the outside. Decorate as desired.
Notes
- Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor in both the cake and frosting.
- Freeze-dried strawberries give a strong, natural strawberry flavor without making the frosting runny.
- Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner layers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: strawberry layer cake, homemade strawberry cake, strawberry buttercream, fresh strawberry dessert, layered fruit cake