Strawberry Dream Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Strawberry Dream Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, tender cake bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, layered and enveloped in a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced and versatile, this stunning homemade dessert is ideal for any celebration or treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- Fresh Strawberries – about 1 ½ cups, washed, hulled, and roughly chopped
- All-Purpose Flour – 2 ½ cups (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- Baking Powder – 2 teaspoons
- Baking Soda – ½ teaspoon
- Granulated Sugar – 1 ¾ cups
- Unsalted Butter – ½ cup (1 stick), softened
- Eggs – 3 large, room temperature
- Buttermilk – 1 cup, room temperature
- Vanilla Extract – 2 teaspoons
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – 8 ounces (1 package), softened
- Unsalted Butter – ½ cup (1 stick), softened
- Powdered Sugar – 4 cups, sifted
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon
- Heavy Cream – 2 to 3 tablespoons
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Wash and hull the strawberries, then roughly chop about 1 ½ cups to fold into the batter. Grease and line cake pans for baking.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, until just combined. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Allow the cake layers to cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing well. Pour in heavy cream and whip the frosting until light and fluffy, perfect for spreading and piping.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the first cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over it, and optionally add sliced fresh strawberries. Repeat with remaining layers, then frost the top and sides evenly for a polished finish.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and cream cheese to ensure smooth mixing and a lump-free frosting.
- Do not overmix the batter; mix until ingredients are just combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- Choose the freshest, ripest strawberries for best flavor and juicy bursts in the cake.
- Slightly chill the frosting before assembly to improve spreadability and create cleaner frosting layers.
- Add fresh strawberries on top just before serving to maintain freshness and visual appeal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Strawberry Cake, Layer Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Berry Dessert, Gluten-Free Cake, Celebration Cake, Homemade Cake