The Best Ever Strawberry Cake Recipe for Sweet Celebrations

Crafting a delectable strawberry cake has always been my culinary passion and sweet adventure.

Berries burst with vibrant color and intense flavor in this delightful dessert.

Summer memories dance through each tender slice of homemade goodness.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference when creating something truly special.

Layers of soft, moist cake combine perfectly with luscious strawberry frosting.

Seasonal and simple, this recipe promises to delight everyone at the table.

Come bake something extraordinary that celebrates the pure joy of strawberries.

Reasons to Love Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• Burst with Fresh Flavor: Celebrate the vibrant taste of real strawberries packed into every single bite of this delightful cake.
• Simplify Baking Process: Combine basic pantry ingredients with a cake mix to create a stunning dessert without complicated steps or professional baking skills.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Moments: Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, birthday celebrations, or casual weekend treats that will make everyone smile and ask for seconds.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows quick modifications like adding fresh strawberry slices on top or experimenting with different frosting techniques to match your personal style.

Ingredients for Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• White Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides a light and fluffy foundation for the cake.
• Plain Flour: Adds structure and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Strawberry Jello: Enhances the strawberry flavor and adds a vibrant color to the cake.

• Water, Canola Oil, Eggs: These ingredients help bind the cake mix and create a moist, rich texture.

• Fresh Strawberries: Provide natural sweetness and intense strawberry flavor throughout the cake.

• Butter, Cream Cheese: Create a rich and creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.

• Fresh Strawberry: Offers a beautiful and delicious finishing touch to the cake.

How to Prepare Best Ever Strawberry Cake

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a thorough coating of grease and flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create the Magical Batter

• White cake mix
• Plain flour
• Strawberry jello
• Water

Stir everything until just combined, creating a smooth base for your delightful dessert.

Step 3: Bring in the Richness

Pour in the canola oil and crack in the eggs one by one. Whip the mixture thoroughly between each egg addition, ensuring a perfect blend of ingredients.

Step 4: Infuse with Strawberry Goodness

Gently fold in the pureed strawberries. Beat the mixture for about 2 minutes until it transforms into a silky-smooth strawberry dream.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan. Send it into the oven for roughly 45 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before the next step.

Step 6: Whip Up the Dreamy Frosting

• Softened butter
• Cream cheese
• Remaining pureed strawberries
• Powdered sugar

Beat with a mixer until the icing becomes creamy and irresistibly smooth.

Step 7: Dress the Cake

Once cooled, spread the luscious cream cheese icing evenly across the cake. For an extra touch of elegance, crown it with a fresh strawberry or drizzle some additional pureed strawberries.

Step 8: Slice and Celebrate

Cut into this magnificent creation and savor every single bite of your homemade strawberry masterpiece!

Pro Tips for Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• Select Fresh Strawberries: Choose ripe, vibrant red strawberries for maximum flavor and sweetness in your cake.
• Prevent Strawberry Sinking: Lightly coat strawberry pieces in flour before folding into batter to prevent them from settling at the bottom during baking.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Stir cake mix ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, light cake crumb and prevent toughness.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Let cake cool entirely to room temperature to prevent cream cheese icing from melting and sliding off the cake surface.

Variation Ideas for Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• Gluten-Free Strawberry Delight: Replace white cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and use almond flour instead of plain flour. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Berry Bliss: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and choose a vegan cream cheese alternative. Select dairy-free cake mix for a completely plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Berry Classic: Substitute regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Use sugar-free jello and reduce powdered sugar in frosting for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Lemon-Strawberry Fusion: Add lemon zest to cake batter and replace some strawberry puree with fresh lemon juice. Incorporate lemon extract in cream cheese frosting for a citrusy undertone.

Pairing Suggestions for Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• Pair Sweet Strawberry Champagne: Celebrate the cake's fruity notes with a crisp, light champagne that complements the strawberry flavors and cuts through the rich cream cheese frosting.
• Enhance with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding a smooth, cold element to the dessert.
• Brighten with Fresh Mint Tea: Steep a hot cup of fresh mint tea to cleanse the palate and provide a refreshing herbal undertone that balances the cake's sweetness.
• Complement with White Chocolate Truffles: Offer delicate white chocolate truffles as a side treat, their subtle sweetness and creamy texture perfectly matching the strawberry cake's rich profile.

Storage Advice for Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the cake away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate strawberry flavor.
• Wrap the entire unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Cut cake into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months for quick individual servings.
• Warm refrigerated cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture and enhance flavors.

FAQs About Best Ever Strawberry Cake

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before pureeing to maintain the cake’s texture.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this cake?

A basic mixer, mixing bowls, and a 9×13-inch baking pan are all you need. No fancy tools required.

• How do I know if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it covered at room temperature before adding the frosting.

Best Ever Strawberry Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Heavenly Strawberry Cake brings summer’s sweetest memories to life with luscious layers of fresh berries and silky cream. Rich strawberry essence and delicate crumb invite you to savor each blissful bite of this irresistible dessert.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Cake Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 (3 ounces) box strawberry jello
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons plain flour

Fruit Component:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen pureed strawberries

Measurement Conversion Additions:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen pureed strawberries (equivalent to 480 milliliters)
• 3/4 cup canola oil (equivalent to 180 milliliters)
• 1/2 cup water (equivalent to 120 milliliters)
• 3 tablespoons plain flour (equivalent to 24 grams)
• 1 (3 ounces) box strawberry jello (equivalent to 85 grams)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly coating a 9×13-inch pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Create the foundational cake mixture by blending white cake mix, plain flour, strawberry jello, and water in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are just combined.
3. Introduce canola oil and eggs to the mixture, carefully incorporating each egg while ensuring thorough integration after every addition.
4. Gently fold in pureed strawberries, then vigorously mix the batter for approximately 2 minutes to achieve a uniform, silky consistency.
5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly, and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean without wet batter.
6. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature, which typically takes about 1-2 hours.
7. Craft the cream cheese frosting by whipping softened butter, cream cheese, remaining strawberry puree, and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
8. Once the cake has reached room temperature, generously spread the strawberry cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.
9. Enhance the presentation by garnishing with fresh strawberry slices or drizzling additional pureed strawberries for a vibrant, appetizing finish.
10. Slice into generous portions and serve, savoring the rich, fruity flavors of this delectable strawberry cake.

Notes

• Ensure strawberries are ripe and sweet for maximum flavor intensity, selecting deep red, fragrant berries that are firm but not hard.
• Replace canola oil with coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist and healthier fat profile, maintaining cake’s moisture.
• For gluten-free version, swap white cake mix with gluten-free alternative and add xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
• Consider reducing sugar in icing by using low-fat cream cheese and adding natural strawberry reduction for concentrated sweetness without excessive sweeteners.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 268
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg