🍓💕 Homemade Strawberry Cake

Makes: 1 (8- or 9-inch) 2-layer cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 25–30 minutes

Total: ~1 hour (plus cooling)

Texture: Moist, tender, naturally pink

Flavor: Sweet + fruity from real strawberries

Ingredients

Strawberry Reduction (for real flavor!)

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled (or frozen, thawed)

• 1–2 tbsp sugar (optional)

Cake

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1¾ cups granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs, room temp

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• ⅓ cup strawberry reduction (completely cooled)

• 2¾ cups cake flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup milk, room temp

• ¼ cup strawberry puree (from your reduction before thickening)

• Optional: a tiny drop of pink food coloring to enhance color

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

• 3–4 tbsp strawberry reduction

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Make the Strawberry Reduction

(This gives the cake real strawberry flavor!)

1. Puree strawberries in a blender.

2. Pour into a saucepan and simmer 15–25 minutes, stirring, until reduced by half and thick like jam.

3. Cool completely before using.

2. Make the Cake Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Grease and line two 8- or 9-inch cake pans.

3. Cream butter + sugar until fluffy (3–4 minutes).

4. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla + ⅓ cup cooled strawberry reduction.

5. In another bowl: whisk flour, baking powder, salt.

6. Add dry ingredients to wet in two parts, alternating with:

   • milk

   • strawberry puree

7. Mix until just combined. Don’t over-mix.

3. Bake

1. Divide batter between pans.

2. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

3. Cool completely before frosting.

4. Make the Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese + butter until smooth.

2. Add powdered sugar gradually.

3. Mix in 3–4 tbsp strawberry reduction + vanilla.

4. Beat until creamy and pink.

5. Assemble

1. Place first cake layer on plate. Add frosting.

2. Add second layer. Frost entire cake.

3. Decorate with fresh strawberries 💕

Tips for the BEST Strawberry Cake

• Don’t skip the strawberry reduction—it’s what makes the flavor incredible.

• For stronger color, add 1–2 drops pink gel dye.

• Use cake flour for a tender, fluffy crumb.

• Freeze layers 20 minutes before frosting for easier handling.