Introduction
Transform everyday ingredients into a delightful strawberry cake that’s as impressive as it is effortless! This recipe is your shortcut to dessert success, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something sweet but don’t have hours to spare. Get ready to impress your friends and family without breaking a sweat!
Why This Works
This recipe prioritizes simplicity without sacrificing flavor. The combination of fresh strawberries and a light vanilla cake creates a perfectly balanced dessert. Minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions make it ideal for beginner bakers and time-crunched cooks alike. It’s the ultimate weeknight dessert win!
Key Ingredients
🍓 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
🍰 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
🥚 3 large eggs
🥛 1 cup milk
🧈 ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
🍯 ¾ cup granulated sugar
🥄 1 teaspoon baking powder
🥄 ½ teaspoon baking soda
🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt
🍦 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🍓 ½ cup strawberry preserves (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily and provides a beautiful, even bake.
2️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This simple dry ingredient prep ensures even leavening.
3️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Combining wet ingredients separately prevents lumps.
4️⃣ Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing leads to a tough cake.
5️⃣ Gently fold in the sliced strawberries. Be gentle to prevent smashing the berries.
6️⃣ Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
7️⃣ Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
8️⃣ Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting (optional). Cooling prevents the frosting from melting.
9️⃣ If using, gently warm the strawberry preserves and drizzle over the cooled cake.
Handy Tips
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- If you don’t have strawberry preserves, a simple powdered sugar glaze works beautifully.
- For a richer cake, use buttermilk instead of regular milk.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures even cooking and prevents burning. Check the cake’s doneness around the 30-minute mark to avoid overbaking. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Crunch Factor
While this cake isn’t particularly crunchy, the fresh strawberries add a delightful burst of juicy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, tender cake.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For an extra boost of strawberry flavor, add a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the batter.
- To make this cake even quicker, use a box cake mix as a base and fold in fresh strawberries.
- Make individual cupcakes instead of a large cake for portion control and easy serving.
Storage Tips
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Gift Packaging Ideas
Cut the cake into squares or bars and wrap them individually in cellophane or pretty paper. Tie with a ribbon for a charming presentation.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Lemon Strawberry Cake: Add the zest and juice of one lemon to the batter.
🌟 Strawberry Almond Cake: Add ½ cup of sliced almonds to the batter.
🌟 Chocolate Strawberry Cake: Add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
🌟 Coconut Strawberry Cake: Add ½ cup of shredded coconut to the batter.
Troubleshooting
- Cake is dry: You may have overbaked it. Next time, check for doneness a few minutes earlier.
- Cake is gummy: You may have underbaked it. Bake for a few more minutes.
- Cake is unevenly baked: Ensure your oven rack is in the center and your oven is preheated properly.
FAQ
- Can I freeze this cake? Yes, freeze the cooled cake in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Can I use frozen strawberries? While fresh strawberries are ideal, you can use thawed frozen strawberries, but be sure to pat them dry before adding them to the batter.
- What kind of frosting can I use? A simple whipped cream frosting, cream cheese frosting, or even a dusting of powdered sugar would all work well. Consider a glaze made of the strawberry preserves for a less labor-intensive option.
- Can I make this cake ahead of time? Yes, you can bake the cake a day or two in advance. Store it properly, as described above.
Conclusion
This Easy Strawberry Cake recipe is your new go-to for a quick, delicious, and impressive dessert. Share this recipe with your friends and family, and enjoy every scrumptious bite! Happy baking!
30-Minute Strawberry Cake Bliss: Weeknight Baking Made Easy
A quick and delightful strawberry cake that's perfect for a weeknight dessert, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and topped with a light whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180u00b0C (350u00b0F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the sliced strawberries gently into the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Once the cake is done, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve slices of the cake topped with whipped cream and additional strawberries, if desired.
Tips
- For extra strawberry flavor, add a layer of strawberry jam between the cake layers.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.