The Best Homemade Moist Strawberry Layer Cake from Scratch with Cream Cheese Frosting
I am so glad you are here. This recipe delivers the ultimate moist strawberry layer cake made entirely from scratch using fresh strawberry puree for deep flavor. It pairs perfectly with rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. This is the classic strawberry dessert you will want to make for every celebration.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree (from about 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed and strained)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh strawberries, finely diced
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the softened butter, eggs, buttermilk, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes until the batter is smooth.
- Gently fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries using a spatula. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, beating until combined.
- Mix in the strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and salt until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar if you prefer a stiffer frosting.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread about one-third of the frosting evenly over the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
- Slice and serve your homemade strawberry layer cake.
Notes
- For the best flavor and color, use fresh, ripe strawberries for the puree. Strain the puree to remove excess seeds before adding it to the batter.
- If you prefer a stiffer frosting for piping decorations, add 1/4 cup of heavy cream slowly while mixing the frosting.
- You can make this a strawberry sheet cake by baking the batter in a 9×13 inch pan for about 35-40 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 58
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 95