Fresh strawberries evoke the quintessential essence of spring and summer, and this homemade strawberry cake perfectly captures that vibrant spirit. Unlike recipes relying on artificial flavorings, this strawberry layer cake and its luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting are made exclusively with real fresh strawberries and freeze-dried strawberries, ensuring an unparalleled, super strawberry experience. If you’re searching for the best fresh strawberry cake, you’ve found it!

My goal with this recipe was to create a cake that truly tastes like an actual strawberry, moving away from artificial strawberry extract. Every delightful note of strawberry flavor you’ll experience comes directly from carefully reduced fresh strawberries and the concentrated punch of freeze-dried strawberries. This dual approach maximizes the natural fruitiness. While the strawberries themselves lend a beautiful natural pink, if you desire an even more vivid hue for your cake, a tiny drop of food gel dye can be added to the cake batter to achieve your desired shade.

If you’re a fan of classic cake flavors, you might also enjoy a vanilla interpretation of this recipe. Explore my vanilla cake with strawberry filling for a delightful combination, or my playful strawberry funfetti cake for a celebratory treat. For individual portions, my strawberry-filled cupcakes offer a charming alternative. And for those who adore the classic pairing of chocolate and strawberry, my decadent chocolate covered strawberry cake is an absolute must-try!

Why You’ll Adore This Fresh Strawberry Cake Recipe

This easy strawberry cake recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of fresh flavors and perfect textures. Here’s why this will quickly become your go-to recipe for homemade strawberry cake:

• Unmatched Strawberry Flavor: This elegant strawberry layer cake is truly bursting with intense, authentic strawberry flavor. We achieve this remarkable depth by incorporating a generous amount of fresh strawberries into both the cake layers and the frosting, complemented by the concentrated power of freeze-dried strawberries. You won’t find any artificial flavors here!
• Naturally Pink Perfection: Say goodbye to artificial food dyes! This recipe proudly uses zero artificial coloring to achieve its gorgeous pink hue. The vibrant color is entirely natural, derived from the rich pigments of fresh strawberries and the concentrated essence of freeze-dried strawberries, making it a beautiful and wholesome choice for any occasion.
• Dreamy Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: The accompanying strawberry cream cheese frosting is a revelation. Its tangy-sweet profile, combined with real strawberry goodness, is so delicious it often reminds people of a premium strawberry ice cream. It’s the perfect creamy complement to the moist cake layers, providing a beautiful balance of flavors.
• Effortless Elegance in Decoration: One of the many joys of this best strawberry cake is how simple yet stunning it is to decorate. A scattering of fresh strawberries over the frosting and, if you wish, a few fresh flowers transform this simple homemade cake into a visually appealing masterpiece with minimal effort. It’s naturally beautiful, just like its flavors.
• Incredibly Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to the specialized reverse creaming method, this fresh strawberry cake boasts an exceptionally soft, velvety, and tender crumb. It’s the kind of moist cake that melts in your mouth, leaving you craving another slice.

Recipe Testing and The Secret to Intense Strawberry Flavor

Developing this strawberry cake recipe was a journey focused on maximizing authentic strawberry flavor throughout every component, from the tender cake layers to the luscious frosting. My primary goal was to ensure the cake tasted like a genuine, ripe strawberry, devoid of any artificial notes.

The key to achieving this intense, natural flavor lies in a two-pronged approach: firstly, by blending fresh strawberries into a smooth purée, which is then carefully simmered and reduced until it becomes thick and concentrated. This reduction process intensifies the strawberry’s natural sweetness and flavor, removing excess moisture that could otherwise affect the cake’s texture. Secondly, I incorporated freeze-dried strawberries, which offer a potent burst of concentrated fruit flavor without adding any extra liquid. Ground into a fine powder, they infuse both the cake batter and the frosting with an extra “oomph” of pure strawberry goodness. This innovative technique, similar to what I utilized in my popular strawberry crunch cheesecake recipe, guarantees a truly vibrant and authentic taste experience.

For the cake’s structure and melt-in-your-mouth texture, I employed the reverse creaming method, a technique also featured in my exquisite lemon curd cake. This method, a departure from traditional cake-making, involves adding the softened butter directly to all the dry ingredients. The mixture is then blended until it resembles damp sand. The magic of this approach is that by coating the flour particles with fat (butter) from the outset, you significantly inhibit gluten development. What does this mean for your strawberry cake? It translates to an incredibly soft, velvety, and supremely tender crumb that truly elevates this dessert above others. It’s the secret to a perfectly moist cake that remains delicate and delightful with every forkful.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Strawberry Cake

Crafting the best fresh strawberry cake starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for achieving a naturally pink, moist cake with an unbeatable strawberry flavor.

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These are a game-changer for intense, natural strawberry flavor and color. You can often find them at specialty grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, in the snack aisle of larger supermarkets, or conveniently online via Amazon. It’s crucial not to substitute these with regular fresh or frozen strawberries, as their high moisture content would drastically alter the cake batter’s consistency and final texture. Freeze-dried strawberries provide concentrated flavor without added liquid, making them indispensable.
• Yogurt: I opt for strawberry yogurt to amplify the fruity notes within the cake layers, contributing to both flavor and moisture. However, if strawberry yogurt isn’t readily available, plain whole milk yogurt can be used as an excellent alternative. The yogurt helps create a tender crumb and adds a slight tang that complements the sweetness of the strawberries. Ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal mixing.
• Fresh Strawberries: As the star of this fresh strawberry cake, the quality of your strawberries truly matters. For the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness, I highly recommend making this cake during peak strawberry season. Choosing ripe, fragrant berries will make all the difference in the taste of your reduced strawberry puree and the overall cake experience.
• Cream Cheese (for frosting): The foundation of our dreamy cream cheese frosting. If you’re using cream cheese from Europe, which often comes in tubs and has a higher moisture content than American block cream cheese, I advise patting it thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess liquid. This step is vital for achieving a thick, stable, and pipeable frosting. Furthermore, using cold cream cheese directly from the refrigerator helps maintain the frosting’s structure and prevents it from becoming too soft.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structural component of our cake. Weighing your flour is critical for accuracy to ensure the right cake texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Essential for both the cake and frosting. For the cake, room temperature butter is used in the reverse creaming method. For the frosting, room temperature butter combined with cold cream cheese achieves the perfect consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the cake’s moistness and tender crumb.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the cake its lift and airy texture.
• Fine Sea Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in both the cake and frosting.
• Egg Whites & Whole Egg: The combination of egg whites and a whole egg contributes to the cake’s structure, moisture, and delicate crumb. Ensure they are at room temperature for best results when incorporating into the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: A universal flavor enhancer that rounds out the strawberry notes beautifully.
• Almond Extract (optional): Just a hint of almond extract can subtly deepen and complement the strawberry flavor, adding an extra layer of complexity.
• Whole Milk: Adds essential moisture and richness to the cake batter, making it wonderfully tender. Ensure it’s at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar (for frosting): The base of our sweet and smooth cream cheese frosting. Sifting it is key to preventing lumps.

For a complete list of exact quantities and detailed measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.

How to Make a Delicious Fresh Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping homemade strawberry cake that’s bursting with natural flavor and boasts a perfectly moist, tender crumb.

Preparing the Reduced Strawberry Purée (for the Cake)

Step 1: Blend the Strawberries. Begin by washing and hulling your fresh strawberries. Place them into a food processor or a high-speed blender. Process until you achieve a completely smooth purée, ensuring there are no large chunks remaining. This smooth consistency is vital for the cake’s texture.

Step 2: Reduce the Purée. Pour the freshly blended strawberry purée into a small saucepan. Place it over low heat and gently simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue to cook until the purée thickens significantly and reduces to approximately ½ cup. This reduction process concentrates the strawberry flavor and removes excess water. This usually takes around 30 minutes, but cooking time may vary. Once reduced, pour the thickened purée into a clean bowl and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This step can be conveniently done the night before, making your baking day smoother!

Baking the Moist Strawberry Cake Layers

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Generously grease and line two 8-inch round baking pans with parchment paper. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine all of your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and the freeze-dried strawberry powder. Mix on low speed until they are thoroughly blended and uniform.

Step 4: Incorporate Butter (Reverse Creaming). Add the room temperature unsalted butter to the dry ingredients in small pieces. Mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse, damp sand. The butter should be fully incorporated and coat the flour particles, which is characteristic of the reverse creaming method, ensuring a super tender cake.

Step 5: Add Eggs. With the mixer still on low speed, add the egg whites one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl thoroughly after each addition to ensure everything is well combined. Once all egg whites are in, add the single whole egg and mix briefly until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Whisk Wet Ingredients. In a separate jug or medium bowl, whisk together the vanilla extract, the cooled reduced strawberry purée, almond extract (if using), room temperature strawberry yogurt, and whole milk until well combined. This is your flavorful wet mixture.

Step 7: Combine Wet and Dry. Slowly pour about one-third of the wet ingredients into the dry mixture in the stand mixer bowl. Mix on low speed until just combined. The batter may look a bit curdled at first, but it will come together. Continue adding the remaining wet ingredients in two more additions, mixing slowly after each until the batter is smooth and uniformly pink. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a tough cake.

Step 8: Bake the Cake Layers. Divide the strawberry cake batter evenly between your two prepared 8-inch baking pans. Each pan should hold approximately 650g of batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in their pans for about 15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure the cakes are completely cool before frosting.

Crafting the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 9: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese. While your cake layers are cooling, you can prepare the exquisite strawberry cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and cold cream cheese together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth. Scrape down the bowl as needed.

Step 10: Add Powdered Sugar. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar to the creamed butter and cream cheese, one cup at a time. Mix on low speed after each addition until fully incorporated. Sifting the sugar beforehand is crucial to prevent a lumpy frosting. Continue adding until all the powdered sugar is blended in.

Step 11: Flavor the Frosting. Once the powdered sugar is fully incorporated, add the freeze-dried strawberry powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the frosting. Beat on medium-high speed for another 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light, airy, and beautifully pink with a rich strawberry aroma. Scrape down the bowl periodically.

Step 12: Assemble and Enjoy! Once your cake layers are completely cool and your strawberry cream cheese frosting is ready, it’s time to assemble! Place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous amount of frosting evenly over the top. Place the second cake layer on top and then frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Decorate with fresh strawberries as desired. Slice and enjoy your truly delightful homemade fresh strawberry cake!

Expand Your Strawberry Repertoire: Try These Delicious Strawberry Recipes Next!

If you’ve fallen in love with the vibrant flavors of this fresh strawberry cake, you’re in for a treat! Discover more delightful recipes that celebrate the sweet versatility of strawberries:

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