Best Strawberry Layered Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Delights.

This strawberry layered cake is the ultimate dessert for any occasion. The cake layers are moist and packed with fresh strawberry flavor, while the cream cheese frosting is smooth, tangy, and perfectly balanced. It’s easy to make and perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a sweet treat. The recipe uses fresh strawberry puree, sour cream for extra moisture, and a simple cream cheese frosting. Decorate with fresh strawberries for a beautiful finish. Store in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving. Everyone will love this irresistible cake!
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Updated on Tue, 04 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT
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Vibrant layers of strawberry-infused cake paired with tangy cream cheese frosting create an irresistible celebration centerpiece. Each slice reveals perfectly moist pink layers complemented by clouds of creamy frosting, delivering fresh berry flavor in every bite.

During recipe testing, I discovered that room temperature ingredients and gentle mixing create the most tender, delicate crumb.

Essential Ingredients Guide

  • Fresh strawberries: Select ripe, fragrant berries for optimal flavor and color
  • Room temperature butter: Crucial for proper creaming and texture
  • Full-fat cream cheese: Provides the richest, most stable frosting
  • Sour cream: Adds moisture and tenderness to the cake layers
  • Cake flour: Creates a finer, more delicate crumb
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Creating Your Masterpiece

Prepare The Batter:
Cream butter and sugar until truly light and fluffy - this takes a full 3-5 minutes of beating. Add eggs one at a time, letting each incorporate fully.
Build The Layers:
Alternate dry ingredients and milk in three additions, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in strawberry puree to maintain the batter's light texture.
Create Perfect Frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter until completely smooth before adding sugar gradually. Continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.
Assemble With Care:
Level each cake layer for professional results. Apply a crumb coat, chill, then finish with remaining frosting.

The secret to my cake's intense strawberry flavor came from reducing the puree to concentrate it - a technique I learned from my pastry chef mentor.

Professional Tips

Create the perfect slice by:

  • Chilling the cake for 2 hours before cutting
  • Using a hot knife, cleaned between cuts
  • Scoring the frosting before slicing through

Creative Variations

Transform this classic by:

  • Adding chocolate ganache between layers
  • Incorporating strawberry preserves in the filling
  • Swirling freeze-dried strawberry powder into frosting

Storage Solutions

Keep cake fresh by:

  • Storing at room temperature for up to 2 days
  • Refrigerating for up to 5 days
  • Freezing unfrosted layers for 3 months

Temperature Management

Monitor every stage:

  • Butter at 65°F for optimal creaming
  • Eggs at 70°F for proper emulsion
  • Frosting at 72°F for smooth spreading

Layer Architecture

Build structural integrity:

  • Trim dome tops with serrated knife
  • Apply simple syrup brush for moisture
  • Create dam of stiffer frosting around edges
  • Fill center with softer frosting consistency

Frosting Mastery

Perfect your technique:

  • Whip frosting on medium-high for 5-7 minutes
  • Scrape bowl every 2 minutes for even texture
  • Adjust consistency with cream or sugar
  • Chill between coats for clean edges

Color Enhancement

Natural pink strategies:

  • Reduce strawberry puree by half for concentrated color
  • Add beetroot powder for deeper pink
  • Mix freeze-dried strawberry powder into batter
  • Layer darker to lighter shades for ombré effect
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Decoration Techniques

Elevated finishes:

  • Create strawberry chocolate shards for sides
  • Pipe rosettes using varying tip sizes
  • Paint metallic accents with edible dust
  • Design fresh berry arrangements with height variation

Each detail contributes to creating not just a cake, but an unforgettable centerpiece that tastes as magnificent as it looks.

Baking Science

  • Control protein development by mixing dry ingredients for 30 seconds before combining
  • Maintain 70-75°F room temperature for consistent chemical reactions
  • Add acid (sour cream) last to prevent premature protein coagulation
  • Measure flour using weight rather than volume for precision

Advanced Preparation

  • Create timeline working backwards from serving time
  • Prepare components in specific order: puree, layers, frosting
  • Allow 30-minute rest periods between mixing stages
  • Factor in multiple chilling periods for optimal structure

Professional Equipment Usage

  • Use cake strips around pans for even baking
  • Implement rotating cake stand for smooth frosting
  • Utilize bench scraper for sharp edges
  • Apply acetate strips for clean layer building

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Fix broken frosting by warming slightly and re-whipping
  • Correct sinking layers by adjusting leavening agents
  • Prevent crumbly texture by measuring liquid ingredients precisely
  • Address uneven baking with proper oven calibration

Through years of professional baking, these techniques have proven essential for creating consistently outstanding results. Each element builds upon the others to create a cake that's not just visually stunning but delivers an exceptional eating experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before pureeing.
→ Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it’s a 1:1 replacement for best results.
→ How do I store the cake?
Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
→ Can I make the cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Frost the cake the day you plan to serve it.
→ Can I use a different frosting?
Yes, you can use whipped cream or buttercream frosting, but cream cheese frosting pairs best with the strawberry flavor.

Best Strawberry Layered Cake

This strawberry layered cake is a showstopper! Moist strawberry cake layers are paired with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting for a dessert everyone will love.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Desserts & Baking

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (One 8-inch layered cake)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Strawberry Cake

01 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 1/4 tsp salt
04 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 1 cup granulated sugar
06 2 large eggs
07 1 tsp vanilla extract
08 1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree (about 4-5 medium strawberries)
09 1/2 cup milk
10 1/4 cup sour cream (for added moisture)

→ For the Cream Cheese Frosting

11 8 oz cream cheese, softened
12 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 4 cups powdered sugar
14 1 tsp vanilla extract
15 Pinch of salt

→ For Decoration

16 Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 02

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a larger mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, blend the fresh strawberries into a puree using a blender or food processor. Gradually add the strawberry puree, milk, and sour cream to the wet ingredients. Stir until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth.

Step 03

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 04

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat the frosting until it is light and fluffy.

Step 05

Once the cake layers have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top of the first layer. Place the second cake layer on top and gently press it down. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting. Decorate the top of the cake with thin slices of fresh strawberries for a beautiful presentation.

Notes

  1. For a stronger strawberry flavor, add a few drops of strawberry extract to the cake batter.
  2. Make sure all ingredients for the frosting are at room temperature to avoid lumps.
  3. Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • Two 9-inch round cake pans
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • Cake stand or serving platter

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter, cream cheese, milk, sour cream)
  • Gluten (all-purpose flour)
  • Eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
  • Protein: 5 g