This recipe is for a delightful Strawberry Cake with Frosting, a moist and flavorful cake infused with the sweet essence of fresh strawberries and covered in a complementary frosting, often strawberry-flavored as well. This cake is a celebration of the bright and fruity taste of strawberries, making it perfect for spring and summer gatherings, birthdays, or any occasion that calls for a touch of sweetness and freshness. The cake itself typically incorporates either puréed fresh strawberries, chopped strawberries, or strawberry extract (or a combination) into the batter, giving it a lovely pink hue and a distinct strawberry flavor. The batter is usually made with standard cake ingredients such as all-purpose flour, sugar, eggs, butter or oil, a leavening agent (like baking powder or baking soda), and a liquid (like milk or buttermilk) to ensure a tender and moist crumb. The addition of strawberries not only contributes flavor and color but also adds moisture to the cake. The frosting is the crowning glory, often a creamy and sweet concoction that complements the strawberry flavor of the cake. This can range from a simple vanilla buttercream tinted pink and flavored with strawberry extract, to a more elaborate frosting made with fresh strawberry purée or freeze-dried strawberry powder for a more intense flavor and natural color. The cake is typically baked in layers (two or three) and then assembled with frosting spread between the layers and on top. It is often decorated with fresh strawberries for an elegant and thematic finish. The result is a visually appealing cake with a tender texture and a burst of sweet, fruity strawberry flavor in every bite, balanced by the creamy sweetness of the frosting.
The texture of Strawberry Cake with Frosting is typically moist and tender, with a soft crumb. The inclusion of strawberries in the batter helps to keep the cake exceptionally moist. The frosting is usually smooth and creamy, providing a delightful contrast to the cake’s texture. Fresh strawberries used as a garnish add a juicy bite.
The flavor profile is predominantly sweet and bursting with the fresh, fruity taste of strawberries. The cake itself carries a distinct strawberry flavor, which is enhanced by the sweetness of the sugar. The frosting complements this with its own sweetness and often a concentrated strawberry flavor, creating a harmonious and delicious balance.
Strawberry Cake with Frosting is a perfect dessert for a variety of occasions, including birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, spring and summer parties, or any time you want a light, fruity, and celebratory cake.
The preparation of Strawberry Cake with Frosting involves making the strawberry-infused cake batter, baking it in layers, preparing a complementary frosting, and then assembling and decorating the cake.
Ingredients (as partially listed):
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Likely Additional Ingredients (not listed):
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, puréed or finely chopped
- For the Frosting: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 3-4 cups powdered sugar; ¼ cup strawberry purée or 1-2 tsp strawberry extract; 2-4 tbsp milk or cream; pinch of salt; fresh strawberries for decoration
Likely Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9×13 inch rectangular pan.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk or buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add Strawberries: Gently fold in the puréed or finely chopped fresh strawberries into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes for round pans, or 30-35 minutes for a rectangular pan, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth. Stir in the strawberry purée or extract, milk or cream (a little at a time, until desired consistency is reached), and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar or liquid as needed to achieve the desired consistency and sweetness. Tint with additional strawberry purée or food coloring if a deeper pink is desired.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread an even layer of frosting over the top. Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Decorate: Decorate the cake with fresh strawberries.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy this delicious Strawberry Cake with Frosting!