Strawberry and Cream Cake

The Perfect Strawberry and Cream Cake Recipe That’ll Make You Fall in Love

This Strawberry and Cream Cake has completely stolen my heart, and honestly, I think it might become your new obsession too! After countless attempts to perfect this dreamy dessert, I’ve finally cracked the code for the most incredibly moist, fluffy cake layered with fresh strawberries and billowy whipped cream. Moreover, it’s surprisingly simple to make, which means you can whip it up whenever that sweet craving hits.

What Is Strawberry and Cream Cake?

Strawberry and Cream Cake is basically summer in dessert form! Additionally, it features tender vanilla sponge layers generously filled with fresh strawberry slices and luscious whipped cream. Furthermore, this classic combination creates the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors. Consequently, every bite delivers that nostalgic taste that reminds me of childhood birthday parties and sunny picnics.

Essential Ingredients for Strawberry and Cream Cake

Before we dive into the magic, let me walk you through what you’ll need for this incredible strawberry cream cake. Notably, most of these ingredients are probably already sitting in your kitchen right now!

For the Cake Layers:

• All-purpose flour (2 cups) – The foundation of our fluffy layers, alternatively you can substitute with cake flour for extra tenderness
• Granulated sugar (1½ cups) – Creates sweetness and helps achieve that perfect crumb structure
• Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened) – Adds richness and moisture, meanwhile vegetable oil works as a substitute
• Large eggs (3, room temperature) – Provides structure and helps bind everything together beautifully
• Whole milk (1 cup) – Creates tenderness, however buttermilk adds extra tang if you prefer
• Baking powder (2 teaspoons) – Essential for that perfect rise
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons) – Because vanilla makes everything taste better
• Salt (½ teaspoon) – Balances the sweetness perfectly

For the Strawberry Cream Filling:

• Fresh strawberries (2 pounds) – The star of our show, choose the ripest ones you can find
• Heavy whipping cream (2 cups) – Creates that cloud-like texture we’re after
• Powdered sugar (¼ cup) – Sweetens the cream without making it grainy
• Cream cheese (4 oz, softened) – Adds stability and richness to the whipped cream
• Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons) – For macerating the strawberries

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Results

Preparing the Cake Base

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Then, line the bottoms with parchment paper because trust me, this prevents any sticking disasters that might ruin your beautiful Strawberry and Cream Cake.

Step 2: Next, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Subsequently, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to create a smooth mixture.

Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Afterward, alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Step 4: Once everything is just combined, divide the batter evenly between prepared pans. Then, bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Finally, cool completely on wire racks before attempting to remove from pans.

Creating the Strawberry Cream Components

Step 5: While the cakes are cooling, wash and hull your fresh strawberries. Then, slice them into ¼-inch pieces and toss with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Therefore, this maceration process will create delicious strawberry juices that soak into the cake.

Step 6: For the whipped cream filling, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Next, gradually add the heavy cream and powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. However, be careful not to overbeat, as this can make the cream grainy.

Assembling Your Masterpiece

Step 7: Place the first cake layer on your serving plate and spread half of the whipped cream mixture on top. Then, arrange half of the macerated strawberries over the cream, allowing some juices to drip down the sides.

Step 8: Carefully place the second cake layer on top and repeat with the remaining cream and strawberries. Finally, refrigerate your completed Strawberry and Cream Cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Serving Suggestions for Maximum Enjoyment

This strawberry cream cake tastes absolutely divine when served chilled on a warm day. Additionally, try pairing it with a glass of cold milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee for the perfect afternoon treat. Furthermore, fresh mint leaves make a gorgeous garnish that adds both color and a subtle refreshing note to each slice.

Essential Tips for Strawberry and Cream Cake Success

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature for the smoothest batter texture
• Don’t overmix: Mix the batter just until combined to avoid tough, dense cake layers
• Choose ripe strawberries: Sweet, fragrant berries make all the difference in flavor
• Stabilize your cream: The cream cheese helps prevent the whipped cream from deflating over time
• Chill before serving: Cold cake holds its shape better and tastes more refreshing
• Use a serrated knife: This cuts through the delicate layers without crushing the strawberries
• Store properly: Keep refrigerated and consume within 2-3 days for best quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Strawberry and Cream Cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, this strawberry cream dessert actually tastes better when made a day ahead. However, I recommend assembling it no more than 24 hours before serving to maintain the best texture. Meanwhile, you can bake the cake layers up to 3 days in advance and store them wrapped at room temperature.

What if I can’t find fresh strawberries?

While fresh strawberries work best for this recipe, you can substitute with thawed frozen strawberries in a pinch. Nevertheless, be sure to drain excess liquid from frozen berries to prevent the cake from becoming soggy. Furthermore, the texture will be slightly different, but the flavor will still be delicious.

How do I prevent the whipped cream from becoming runny?

The key is adding cream cheese to stabilize the whipped cream mixture. Additionally, make sure your bowl and beaters are completely clean and cold before whipping. Moreover, stop beating as soon as you achieve soft to medium peaks, because overbeating will cause the cream to break and become grainy.

Can I use a different type of berry?

Certainly! This recipe works wonderfully with raspberries, blackberries, or even a mixed berry combination. However, you might need to adjust the sugar slightly depending on the sweetness of your chosen berries. Therefore, taste the macerated fruit before assembling to ensure the perfect balance.

Why This Recipe Will Become Your Go-To Dessert

This Strawberry and Cream Cake hits every single note you want in a dessert. Moreover, it’s elegant enough for special occasions yet simple enough for weekend baking. Additionally, the combination of moist vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and fluffy cream creates a symphony of flavors and textures that never gets old. Consequently, once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself making it again and again!

My Journey Perfecting This Recipe

I’ll be honest, my first attempt at this Strawberry and Cream Cake was a complete disaster! The cream kept sliding off the cake, and the layers were lopsided. However, after several trials and plenty of taste-testing, I discovered that adding cream cheese to the whipped cream was the game-changer. Furthermore, I learned that macerating the strawberries creates those gorgeous juices that make each bite incredibly flavorful. You can find more of my baking adventures and recipe development stories on my Pinterest page, where I share all the behind-the-scenes moments!