Strawberry Cake Recipe: A Delightful Dessert for Any Occasion
Are you ready to bake a deliciously moist and flavorful strawberry cake that will impress your friends and family? This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating a stunning strawberry cake perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or a simple afternoon treat. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields a classic two-layer 9-inch cake. Adjust quantities as needed for different sized cakes.
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
For the Strawberry Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons strawberry juice (from fresh strawberries)
- 1 tablespoon milk (or more, as needed)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Baking the Perfect Strawberry Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Preparing the Oven and Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. This ensures your cake layers come out cleanly and beautifully. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper for extra insurance.
Step 2: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This thorough mixing guarantees even leavening and prevents lumps in your batter.
Step 3: Creaming Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter and more tender cake.
Step 4: Adding Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 5: Alternating Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix.
Step 6: Incorporating Strawberries
Gently fold in the sliced strawberries. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to broken strawberries and a tough cake.
Step 7: Baking the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cooling the Cakes
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cakes from crumbling.
Step 9: Making the Strawberry Glaze
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, strawberry juice, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Step 10: Glazing and Decorating
Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with the strawberry glaze. Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining glaze. Garnish with fresh strawberries, if desired.
Tips for Strawberry Cake Success:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal creaming and mixing.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Proper Cooling: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the glaze from melting.
- Fresh Strawberries: Use the freshest strawberries possible for the best flavor and appearance.
Enjoy Your Delicious Strawberry Cake!
This recipe provides a foundation for your baking adventures. Feel free to experiment with variations, such as adding different extracts or using different types of frosting. Happy baking!
