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Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 104 reviews
  • Author: Elara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 three-layer 8-inch cake (serves 12-16) 1x

Description

This delightful Strawberry Layer Cake combines moist layers of strawberry-flavored cake with a rich and creamy strawberry buttercream frosting. Enhanced with fresh strawberry puree and vibrant food coloring, this cake is perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave a sweet, fruity dessert with a lovely pastel aesthetic.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (173g) sour cream, room temperature
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups (325g) all purpose flour
  • 4 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) strawberry puree (from 2 cups (280g) chopped strawberries)
  • 7–9 drops pink food color

Frosting

  • 1 1/2 cups salted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups shortening
  • 12 cups (1380g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 6–7 tbsp strawberry puree, strained (from 2/3 cup (93g) chopped strawberries)
  • 3/4 tsp strawberry extract, optional
  • Pink and burgundy icing color
  • 2–3 tsp water
  • Teal and sky blue icing color

Decoration (Optional)

  • Sprinkles
  • Gum paste
  • Toothpicks or thin skewers
  • White pearl dust

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Pans: Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to ensure even baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the unsalted butter and sugar together for 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender cake texture.
  3. Add Sour Cream: Incorporate the sour cream into the butter and sugar mixture, beating until well combined for moisture and tang.
  4. Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs in two batches, mixing well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  6. Add Dry Ingredients: Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet batter and mix until combined.
  7. Add Strawberry Puree: Stir in the strawberry puree and pink food coloring, mixing well to evenly distribute the flavor and color.
  8. Complete Batter: Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
  9. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 24-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  10. Cool Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 3-4 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
  11. Make Frosting: Beat together salted butter and shortening until smooth.
  12. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add about half of the powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly between additions.
  13. Set Aside Blue Frosting: Scoop out 1 cup (240g) of frosting and reserve it for the teal blue frosting later.
  14. Flavor Frosting: Mix vanilla extract and 6 tablespoons strawberry puree into the remaining frosting until smooth.
  15. Add Remaining Sugar: Slowly incorporate the remaining powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
  16. Adjust Frosting Consistency: Add more strawberry puree and optional strawberry extract if needed, then mix until smooth.
  17. Color Frosting: Add pink and burgundy icing colors to the strawberry frosting for a vibrant hue.
  18. Prepare Blue Frosting: Thin the reserved frosting with 2-3 teaspoons of water as needed and color it with teal and sky blue icing colors.
  19. Level Cake Layers: Use a serrated knife to trim the domes off the cake layers so they are flat and even.
  20. Assemble Cake Layers: Place the first layer on a serving plate or cake board and spread 1 cup (240g) of strawberry frosting evenly over it.
  21. Add Middle Layer: Place the second cake layer on top and add another cup (240g) of strawberry frosting.
  22. Top Layer Placement: Add the third cake layer on top of the stacked layers.
  23. Crumb Coat and Chill: Optional step for smooth finish – apply a thin layer of frosting around the cake and chill briefly to reduce crumbs.
  24. Frost Outside: Apply the remaining strawberry frosting evenly on the outside of the cake, smoothing the surface for a professional look.
  25. Decorate Edges: Pipe shell borders around the bottom and top edges using teal blue frosting with appropriate piping tips (Wilton tip 21 and Ateco 844 or Wilton 2D).
  26. Add Sprinkles: Optionally decorate the center and base of the cake with sprinkles for extra flair.
  27. Create Gum Paste Elephant: Follow the separate tutorial instructions to craft a gum paste elephant decoration ahead of time, allowing it to dry and harden before placing on the cake.

Notes

  • Ensure butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature for the best batter texture.
  • Creaming the butter and sugar properly is essential for a light cake crumb.
  • Strain the strawberry puree used in frosting to avoid seeds for a smooth finish.
  • You can adjust the intensity of the pink frosting color by varying the number of food color drops.
  • If you prefer stronger strawberry flavor in frosting, add the optional strawberry extract.
  • Trimming cake domes and leveling layers helps create a straighter, more stable cake stack.
  • Reserved frosting thinned with water ensures easier piping and smoother decorative edges.
  • Allow any gum paste decorations to dry completely to prevent damage when placing on cake.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: strawberry layer cake, strawberry cake, layered cake, buttercream frosting, pink cake, homemade cake, birthday cake, berry dessert

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Find it online: https://kitchenflavorspot.com/strawberry-layer-cake-recipe/