This Strawberry Delight Cake marries the bright, fresh flavors of strawberries with the richness of a soft, tender cake, complemented by a creamy, strawberry-infused cream cheese frosting. Featuring both fresh and freeze-dried strawberries, this cake offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making it a perfect treat for any strawberry lover.
Why You'll Love This: The use of both fresh and freeze-dried strawberries intensifies the fruity flavor, ensuring that every bite is packed with the sweet and tangy essence of strawberries. The cake itself is moist and light, with the sour cream or Greek yogurt adding a subtle tang that balances the sweetness perfectly. The frosting is smooth and luscious, with a natural strawberry flavor that pairs beautifully with the soft cake.
Perfect Occasion: This cake is ideal for spring and summer gatherings, such as picnics, backyard barbecues, or family reunions. It's also perfect for celebrating birthdays and other special occasions where a light yet flavorful cake is desired. Its beautiful appearance and delightful taste make it a great choice for Mother's Day, Easter, or as a weekend baking project.
Decoration Tips: Top the cake with whole fresh strawberries for a charming and rustic look. A sprinkle of powdered freeze-dried strawberries can add a lovely color contrast and enhance the strawberry flavor. Edible flowers or small mint leaves around the base of the cake or on top can also add to its visual appeal, making it even more inviting.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, sliced (about 4 large strawberries)
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 ⅓ cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ½ cup salted butter, room temperature
- ⅔ cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- For the Frosting:
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Optional: 3 whole strawberries for topping
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (177℃). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- In a small bowl, mix the sliced fresh strawberries with 1 tablespoon of sugar; set aside for 15 minutes to macerate.
- Blend the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder and set aside in a small dish.
- Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the butter with the remaining sugar and strawberry powder in a large bowl. Add the vanilla, eggs, sour cream, and blended fresh strawberries. Beat just until combined.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix just until combined.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting and Finish the Cake:
- For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Blend the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder and add to the frosting along with the powdered sugar; beat until smooth.
- Brush the cooled cake with the reserved strawberry juice. Spread the frosting over the cake and decorate with whole strawberries if using.
- Storage:
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 5 days. It is best enjoyed within 2 days.
Enjoy this stunning Strawberry Delight Cake, a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will surely make any occasion special!