Dive into the heavenly taste of the Sumptuous Strawberry Cream Cheese Layer Cake, where delicate vanilla sponge layers intertwine with a rich strawberry cream cheese frosting. Each slice is a masterpiece, featuring generous swirls of fresh strawberry jam filling, marrying the sweet with the tangy in a dance of flavors. This cake is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a visual treat, making it the centerpiece of any celebratory table.
Why You’ll Love This
Embrace the essence of strawberry in each layer of this exquisite cake. The soft, airy cake base complements the rich creaminess of the strawberry-infused cream cheese frosting. The use of both fresh strawberries and freeze-dried strawberry powder in the frosting intensifies the berry flavor, making each bite vibrant and satisfying. It’s a delightful contrast that will keep you coming back for more.
Perfect Occasion
This cake shines at any celebration requiring a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor. It’s perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any festive gathering during the spring and summer months. Its stunning presentation makes it ideal for high tea events or as a luxurious treat to enjoy with friends and family during the strawberry picking season.
Decoration Tips
To enhance the cake’s beauty, top it with fresh strawberries for a burst of color and freshness. Create a sophisticated look by piping decorative borders of frosting around the cake and placing whole or halved strawberries with precision. For an extra touch of elegance, garnish with edible flowers or fresh mint leaves to contrast the rich red of the strawberries.
Vanilla Cake:
- Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
Strawberry Filling:
- Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups strawberries, quartered
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
- 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, slightly cold
- 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 oz freeze-dried strawberries, ground to a fine crumb
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Preparation:
- Cake Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Prepare three 8-inch cake pans by spraying with nonstick spray and lining the bottoms with parchment circles.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, and eggs until smooth. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide batter among prepared pans and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Strawberry Filling Preparation:
- Combine strawberries with sugar and jam in a bowl. Let sit to macerate and draw out the flavors.
- Frosting Preparation:
- Soften butter on the counter for 30 minutes. Using a mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add in powdered sugar and ground freeze-dried strawberries. Incorporate strawberry jam, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream; beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Assembly:
- Place one layer of cake on your serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting over the cake, then spoon on some strawberry filling. Repeat with the remaining layers.
- Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the whole cake and chill briefly. After chilling, apply the final layer of frosting.
- Decorate with fresh strawberries on top for an appealing finish.
Enjoy this stunning Strawberry Cream Cheese Layer Cake at your next special event, and bask in the compliments that are sure to come your way!
