This Vanilla Layer Cake is a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, featuring a soft and airy vanilla sponge paired with a rich vanilla pudding and fresh strawberries. Topped with a light whipped cream and more strawberries, this cake is not only visually stunning but also incredibly delicious. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the classic combination of vanilla and strawberries, with each layer crafted to enhance the next.
Why You’ll Love This: The beauty of this cake lies in its perfect balance of sweetness and texture. The fluffy vanilla cake provides a tender base, enriched with sour cream for extra moistness. The vanilla pudding adds a creamy, luscious layer that complements the fresh strawberries tucked within and around the cake. The whipped cream topping is the icing on the cake, so to speak, adding a light and airy finish that makes each bite heavenly.
Perfect Occasion: This cake is ideal for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and especially perfect for spring and summer gatherings when strawberries are at their peak. It’s also a fantastic choice for Mother’s Day, bridal showers, or any occasion where a beautiful and impressive dessert is desired.
Decoration Tips: For an elegant presentation, arrange additional halved strawberries on top of the whipped cream before serving. You might also consider drizzling a little strawberry coulis or dusting some powdered sugar over the top for added flair. Edible flowers or mint leaves can also add a touch of color and enhance the cake’s aesthetic appeal.
Ingredients:
- For the Vanilla Cake:
- 150g all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 175g granulated sugar
- 85g unsalted butter, room temperature
- 25g vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 60g sour cream, room temperature
- 100g whole milk, room temperature
- 2 egg whites, room temperature
- For the Vanilla Pudding:
- 1 packet instant vanilla pudding (96g)
- 335g heavy whipping cream
- 115g whole milk
- 7-8 fresh strawberries, halved
- For the Whipped Cream:
- 225g heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 225g strawberries, for topping
- Vanilla Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and sugar-coat a 7″ springform pan.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar with cubed butter. Beat until well incorporated and smooth.
- Mix in oil, vanilla, sour cream, and milk until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a rack.
- Vanilla Pudding:
- Combine pudding mix, cream, and milk in a bowl; whisk for 2 minutes. Chill in the fridge.
- Assembly:
- Slice cooled cake horizontally into two layers. Brush dry layers with milk if needed.
- Arrange halved strawberries against the perimeter of the pan, cut-side facing out.
- Spoon pudding over the bottom cake layer, spreading evenly.
- Place the second cake layer on top and gently press down. Chill in the fridge.
- Whipped Cream:
- Whip cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt to soft peaks.
- Remove the cake from the fridge and pan, then top with whipped cream and additional strawberries.
Enjoy this sublime Vanilla Layer Cake, where the classic flavors of vanilla and strawberry come together in a stunning and delightful dessert!
