The Ultimate Strawberry Cake Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Delicious Dessert
Few desserts capture the essence of summer as perfectly as a strawberry cake. This delightful dessert not only boasts the fresh, juicy flavors of ripe strawberries but also pairs them with a rich and creamy buttercream frosting that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, this strawberry cake recipe is designed to be both approachable and rewarding, yielding a melt-in-your-mouth cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
The Allure of Strawberry Cake
Strawberry cake has a nostalgic charm that evokes memories of warm summer days and family gatherings. The combination of sweet, tender cake with the slight tartness of fresh strawberries creates a balance that’s both refreshing and satisfying. What makes this particular recipe stand out is its use of a strawberry reduction, which intensifies the natural flavor of the fruit, ensuring that every bite is bursting with strawberry goodness.
This cake isn’t just about flavor; it’s also about texture. The cake layers are moist and fluffy, thanks to the careful incorporation of ingredients and the precise baking method. The frosting, a luscious blend of cream cheese and butter, adds a creamy richness that complements the lightness of the cake. Together, they create a dessert that’s not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes.
Preparing Your Kitchen: Essential Tools and Ingredients
Before diving into the recipe, it’s important to have the right tools and ingredients on hand. For this recipe, you’ll need two 9-inch round cake pans, a stand mixer (or an electric hand mixer), and mixing bowls. These tools will help ensure that your cake layers are evenly baked and your frosting is smooth and fluffy.
Key Ingredients for the Cake:
- All-Purpose Flour (2 ¾ cups / 330g): Provides the structure for the cake.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents help the cake rise and give it a light, airy texture.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup / 227g): Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- Granulated Sugar (2 cups / 400g): Sweetens the cake and contributes to its tender crumb.
- Egg Whites (4 large): Give the cake its light and fluffy texture.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that complements the strawberries.
- Whole Milk (½ cup / 120ml): Adds moisture and helps blend the ingredients together.
- Fresh Strawberry Puree (½ cup / 120ml): The star ingredient that infuses the cake with natural strawberry flavor.
- Pink Food Coloring (optional): Enhances the visual appeal of the cake by giving it a soft pink hue.
Key Ingredients for the Frosting:
- Cream Cheese (8 ounces / 227g): Provides a tangy richness that balances the sweetness of the frosting.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup / 227g): Adds a creamy texture to the frosting.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
- Salt (a pinch): Balances the sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar (6 to 7 cups / 720g-840g): Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
- Fresh Strawberry Puree (¼ cup): Adds natural strawberry flavor and a hint of pink color to the frosting.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Perfect Strawberry Cake
1. Preparing the Cake
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the cake, which is crucial for even baking.
Prepare the Cake Pans: Butter two 9-inch round cake pans or spray them with baking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking. For an extra layer of protection, wrap the pans with soaked fabric baking strips. These strips help the cake layers bake more evenly by keeping the edges from baking too quickly.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. This step ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which helps the cake rise uniformly.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy. This should take about 2 minutes. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue beating for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which contributes to the cake’s light texture.
Incorporate the Egg Whites and Vanilla: Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute, or until the mixture is well combined and very fluffy. The egg whites help to further lighten the batter, making the cake tender.
Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Wet Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the whole milk and strawberry reduction. Begin and end with the flour mixture. This method ensures that the batter doesn’t become overmixed, which could result in a dense cake. If you’re using food coloring, add a drop or two at this stage to achieve your desired shade of pink.
Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking. Bake the cakes for 30 minutes, or until they are springy to the touch and begin to pull away from the sides of the pans. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 20 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Making the Strawberry Frosting
Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. This should take about 5 minutes. The key to a silky frosting is ensuring that both the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature, so they blend together seamlessly.
Add the Powdered Sugar: With the mixer on low, gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with a tablespoon of strawberry puree. This method prevents the sugar from flying out of the bowl and ensures that it incorporates smoothly. Once all the sugar is added, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. If the frosting feels too stiff, add an extra tablespoon of strawberry puree or milk to achieve the desired consistency.
3. Assembling the Cake
Level the Cake Layers (Optional): If the tops of your cakes are slightly domed, use a serrated knife to carefully trim them so that they are flat. This step is optional but recommended for a more professional-looking cake. Alternatively, you can use cake strips during baking to help prevent doming.
Frost the Cake: Place one cake layer on a cake stand or serving platter. Spread about 1 cup of frosting on top, using a spatula to create an even layer. Top with the second cake layer and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. For a smooth finish, use an offset spatula to gently glide over the frosting, removing any excess.
Decorate and Serve: Decorate the cake as desired. You can add fresh strawberries on top, pipe decorative frosting borders, or sprinkle on some pink sugar crystals. The cake can be served immediately or stored covered at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips for Success
- Measuring Ingredients: For the best results, use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients, especially the flour. Overpacking a measuring cup can lead to too much flour, resulting in a dense cake.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients, particularly the butter, eggs, and cream cheese, are at room temperature. This helps them blend more easily into the batter, creating a smooth and consistent texture.
- Strawberry Reduction: Take your time when making the strawberry reduction. Reducing the puree slowly intensifies the strawberry flavor, making the cake taste fresh and vibrant.
- Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the flour mixture to the batter, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake.
- Decorating: If you’re new to cake decorating, start simple. A smooth layer of frosting and a few fresh strawberries can make a stunning presentation.
Conclusion
This strawberry cake is a celebration of flavor and texture, combining the sweet, juicy essence of strawberries with a rich, creamy frosting. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply to indulge in a delightful dessert, this recipe is sure to impress. By following the step-by-step instructions and tips provided, you’ll create a cake that not only tastes amazing but also looks beautiful. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake a cake that will be the star of any gathering.