Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s bursting with fresh flavor and rich, creamy frosting, let me introduce you to my beloved Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. This cake is a total fan-freaking-tastic treat that combines juicy strawberries, fluffy layers, and a dreamy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth—perfect for celebrations or simply indulging your sweet tooth. Stick around because I want to share all my insider tips to help you nail this recipe at home.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

This cake’s magic is in the balance of fresh strawberries, fluffy cake layers, and the creamy frosting. Each ingredient plays a specific role, so choosing quality items can really up your bake game.

• Strawberries: Use ripe, sweet berries for the most vibrant flavor and natural color. They’re the star here!
• Whole milk: Adds richness and tenderizes the crumb for soft cake layers.
• Avocado, vegetable, or canola oil: Keeps the cake moist without overpowering the strawberry flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Contributes to a tender crumb and adds depth to the cake’s texture.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a golden crust.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances and balances the fruity notes with warm, comforting aroma.
• Cake flour: Provides a lighter texture thanks to its lower protein content compared to all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder: Leavens the cake to give it that perfect lift and fluffiness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Egg whites: Whipped to stiff peaks, they add lift and airiness without the heaviness of yolks.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the jam filling beautifully without any grit.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the homemade jam and cuts through the sweetness.
• Cold heavy cream: Whipped to soft peaks, it lightens the cream cheese frosting and gives it that fluffy finish.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting for a smooth, silky texture.
• Cream cheese: Adds that classic tang and creaminess to the frosting you’ll love.
• Food coloring (optional): Gives an extra pop of color if you want it to be visually striking—totally optional but fun!

Tweak to Your Taste

One joy of baking this Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Over time, I’ve played around with a few tweaks, and you’ll love customizing it to your preference.

• Add Fresh Strawberries Between Layers: Sometimes I add sliced fresh strawberries in between the cake and jam filling layers for extra texture and bursts of freshness—it’s a total winner!
• Use Gluten-Free Flour: If you prefer gluten-free baking, a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well here. Just be gentle folding in the egg whites to keep it airy.
• Swap Heavy Cream for Greek Yogurt: For a tangier frosting and a lighter option, replacing some heavy cream with Greek yogurt can be interesting, but do so carefully to keep the frosting stable.
• Add a Splash of Liqueur: If you’re making this for a party, a tablespoon of Grand Marnier or strawberry liqueur in the jam can elevate the flavor beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Reduce That Strawberry Juice

I always start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepping two 8-inch round cake pans with baking spray and parchment paper. Then, the magic begins with fresh strawberries—puree them, push through a fine mesh sieve, and simmer the juice until it’s reduced to about a third of a cup. This intensifies the strawberry flavor so it really shines in the cake layers. Don’t throw away the pulp—it turns into the jam filling later.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Oil, Sugar, and Vanilla

Next, I whisk together the butter, oil, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended. This forms the moist, flavorful base of the cake batter. I’ve found that using the combination of oil and butter creates a tender crumb without weighing the cake down.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients, Then Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Mixtures

Whisk cake flour, baking powder, and salt separately. Then, mixing on low speed, I alternate adding the flour mixture and strawberry milk mixture into the butter mixture—starting and ending with the dry ingredients. This layering helps maintain the batter’s lightness and ensures it’s well combined without overmixing.

Step 4: Beat Egg Whites and Fold Gently

Now, this is a crucial step! You want your egg whites at room temperature, beaten until they form stiff peaks. Carefully fold them into the batter with a spatula—no electric mixers here—to keep all that airy goodness. Being gentle here prevents your cake from turning heavy or dense.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and bake for about 28 minutes. I always test with a toothpick—a few moist crumbs mean perfect doneness. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make Strawberry Jam Filling

While cakes cool, whisk strawberry pulp with sugar, cornstarch, salt, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook it over medium heat until thick and bubbly—this homemade jam adds a sweet, luscious layer inside your cake that nobody can resist. Chill it before assembling.

Step 7: Whip the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the soft cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Separately, whip cold heavy cream with the remaining powdered sugar until stiff. Then combine both—this frosting is light but creamy, perfectly balancing sweetness and tang.

Step 8: Assemble Like a Pro

Place one cake layer on your serving plate and pipe a frosting dam around the edge (I use a round Ateco 808 tip). Fill the center with strawberry jam, then top with the second cake layer. Cover the whole cake with the cream cheese frosting, smoothing it out. Pop it in the fridge to chill before serving—this helps everything set beautifully.

How to Serve Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this cake with a few fresh strawberry halves or slices on top—that fresh fruit really amps up the strawberry vibe. Sometimes I add a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a few edible flowers for a romantic touch. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of melted chocolate or white chocolate shavings looks gorgeous too.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a simple vanilla bean ice cream or a scoop of lemon sorbet to cut through the richness. If you want something warm, a cozy cup of Earl Grey tea or a light, fruity rosé wine complements the sweetness without overpowering it.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes make mini versions using cupcake tins and swirl the frosting with pink or red food coloring inside the piping bag for a fun surprise swirl effect. Another time, I dyed just a portion of the frosting pink to create an ombré look. Adding fresh herbs like mint or basil alongside sliced strawberries can add a sophisticated flair if you want to impress guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cake covered in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays moist and fresh for up to 5 days—though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house! The cream cheese frosting holds up beautifully, though the jam can seep a bit into the cake for an even tastier effect.

Freezing

I’ve had good luck freezing this cake by wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze it unassembled if you can, then thaw and assemble before serving for best texture. It can last about 2 months frozen without losing flavor.

Reheating

Since it’s a delicate cake with cream cheese frosting, I recommend serving it chilled or at room temperature. For best taste, let it sit out for about 30 minutes after removing from the fridge for frosting softness and fuller flavor.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly close to my heart. It’s become my go-to for celebrations because it looks stunning, tastes incredible, and isn’t overly complicated—perfect even if you’re not a professional baker. I can’t wait for you to try it in your own kitchen and see how the fresh strawberry flavors combined with the soft, fluffy layers and luscious frosting can make any moment extra special. Trust me, your friends and family will be begging for seconds!

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