Strawberry Cake Recipe With Fresh Strawberries- Strawberries are nature’s candy, bursting with vibrant color and juicy sweetness. Imagine infusing these luscious berries into a heavenly cake that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight. In this article, we present to you the ultimate recipe for a strawberry cake made with fresh strawberries. With its moist texture, intense strawberry flavor, and a hint of tanginess, this delectable dessert will impress your friends, family, and anyone lucky enough to take a bite.
Strawberry Cake Recipe with Fresh Strawberries Ingredients:
For the cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
For the strawberry cream cheese frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
Making Strawberry Cake Recipe with Fresh Strawberries Step by Step
Preparing the cake:
a. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
b. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
c. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
d. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
e. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
f. Gently fold in the chopped fresh strawberries.
g. Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans, spreading it evenly.
h. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
i. Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the strawberry cream cheese frosting:
a. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
b. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
c. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh strawberry puree, ensuring it is thoroughly incorporated.
d. Continue beating the frosting until light and fluffy.
Assembling the cake:
a. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
b. Spread a generous amount of strawberry cream cheese frosting on top of the first layer, ensuring an even distribution.
c. Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
d. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake, creating a smooth and even layer.
e. For an extra touch, you can garnish the cake with fresh strawberry slices or whole strawberries.
Serving and storing:
a. Once assembled, refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the frosting to set.
b. Serve chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy every mouthwatering slice!
c. Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Is it necessary to chop the strawberries or can I leave them whole in the cake batter?
While you can certainly leave the strawberries whole in the cake batter, it is generally recommended to chop or dice them. Here’s why:
Even distribution: Chopping the strawberries helps ensure an even distribution of the fruit throughout the cake batter. This ensures that every bite of the cake will have a burst of strawberry flavor.
Enhanced texture: Chopped strawberries release their juices during baking, which adds moisture to the cake and creates a delightful texture. Whole strawberries may not release as much juice, resulting in a slightly different texture.
Easier slicing: When the strawberries are chopped, they blend into the cake, making it easier to slice and serve. Whole strawberries can create uneven pockets or cause the cake to crumble when slicing.
Baking time: Leaving the strawberries whole may increase the baking time as the heat needs to penetrate through the entire fruit. Chopped strawberries integrate more seamlessly into the batter, allowing for even baking.
However, if you prefer the visual appeal of whole strawberries in your cake or desire larger strawberry pockets within the cake, you can certainly leave them whole.
How long should I refrigerate the assembled cake before serving?
After assembling the cake with the frosting, it’s generally recommended to refrigerate it for at least one hour before serving. Chilling the cake allows the flavors to meld together, enhances the texture, and helps the frosting to set. However, you can also refrigerate it for a longer period of time if desired, especially during warmer weather, as it helps to maintain the freshness of the cake.
How can I make the strawberry flavor more pronounced in the cake?
If you want to make the strawberry flavor more pronounced in your strawberry cake, here are a few tips and tricks to enhance the taste:
Choose ripe and flavorful strawberries: Opt for fresh strawberries that are fully ripe and have a strong aroma. The riper the strawberries, the more intense the flavor will be.
Increase the number of strawberries: You can increase the number of fresh strawberries in the recipe. Instead of the recommended 2 cups, you can add an extra half cup or even a full cup of chopped strawberries to the cake batter. This will impart a stronger strawberry taste.
Macerate the strawberries: Macerating the strawberries involves sprinkling them with sugar and letting them sit for some time. This process draws out the natural juices and intensifies the flavor. To macerate the strawberries, simply sprinkle them with a tablespoon or two of sugar and let them sit for about 30 minutes to an hour. Afterward, drain the excess liquid before adding the strawberries to the cake batter.
Use strawberry puree: Along with adding chopped strawberries, you can make a strawberry puree by blending fresh strawberries until smooth. Incorporate this puree into the cake batter, along with the chopped strawberries, for an extra burst of strawberry flavor.
Strawberry extract: If you want a concentrated strawberry flavor, consider using a small amount of strawberry extract. Add it to the batter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, be cautious with the quantity as it can be potent, so start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.
Layer with strawberry filling: For an added punch of strawberry flavor, you can create a strawberry filling by cooking down strawberries with sugar to make a jam-like consistency. Spread this filling between the cake layers before frosting to introduce more strawberry goodness.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Recipe with Fresh Strawberries from Scratch: Some Tips-Â
Although making layer cakes may seem intimidating, I assure you that you can accomplish it. I have put together some straightforward advice that can help you succeed. They are here.
Don’t forget the strawberries. This cake’s strawberry flavour is primarily derived from actual, fresh strawberries. Choose particularly sweet and tasty berries, then. You won’t obtain the desired flavour if you do not.
Keep everything going. Be sure to stir frequently while you reduce the strawberry puree. Strawberries’ inherent sugars are prone to burning. Moving the mixture will aid in avoiding that.
Be tolerant. The strawberry puree needs to be cooked down to 3/4 cup; else, the cake batter would have too much moisture. Keep calm and remember to measure.
Start with components that are room temperature. The butter in the icing, the cake batter, and the butter and cream cheese all need to be at room temperature. If the butter in the batter is too cold or hasn’t melted at all, it won’t crumble properly during the reverse creaming procedure. A lumpy frosting will occur from using too-cold cream cheese or butter for the icing. Additionally, melting butter in the frosting will result in runny icing. So plan ahead and give your ingredients some time to acclimatise to room temperature before usage.
Scrape. It’s crucial to frequently scrape the bowl’s sides as you mix the wet and dry ingredients. This will incorporate any ingredients that are still in the bowl into the batter.
Observe cooling. Stack and frost the cakes after letting them cool fully. If not, the icing will simply slide off. Nobody desires that.
Nutritional value- Strawberry Cake Recipe with Fresh Strawberries
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for a strawberry cake made with fresh strawberries. Please note that these values are estimates and can vary depending on specific ingredients and serving sizes:
Serving Size: 1 slice of cake (assuming a 12-slice cake)
Calories: 350-400 calories
Total Fat: 15-20 grams
Saturated Fat: 8-10 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 40-60 milligrams
Sodium: 200-250 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates: 50-60 grams
Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
Sugars: 35-40 grams
Protein: 4-6 grams
It’s important to note that the nutritional value can vary based on the specific ingredients used in the recipe. Factors such as the type and quantity of butter, sugar, and flour, as well as the frosting and additional garnishes, can influence the overall nutritional content
