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Ultra-Moist Strawberry Cake with Cream Filling and Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

This homemade strawberry cake is made with real strawberries, layered with whipped strawberry cream, and topped with rich strawberry cream cheese frosting. Soft, fruity, and totally irresistible.
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Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 16 slices

Ingredients
  

For the Cake Layers:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup strawberry puree
  • Optional Pink gel food coloring

For the Strawberry Cream Filling:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup strawberry puree
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional 1 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix

For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1 ½ cups cream cheese 12 oz, softened
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup strawberry puree
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the strawberry puree

  • Blend strawberries into a smooth puree. Strain if desired. Set aside ¾ cup for cake, ¼ cup for filling, and ⅓ cup for frosting.

Make the cake batter

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in oil, vanilla, and strawberry puree. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk.

Bake the cake layers

  • Grease and line three 8-inch round pans. Divide batter evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Prepare the cream filling

  • Whip cold cream to soft peaks. Add sugar, vanilla, strawberry puree, and pudding mix (if using). Beat until stiff peaks form. Chill.

Make the frosting

  • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.

Assemble the cake

  • Place one cake layer down, spread half the cream filling, repeat, then top with third layer. Chill for 30 minutes.

Frost and decorate

  • Spread frosting over chilled cake. Decorate with fresh strawberries if desired.

Notes

  • You can make the cake layers a day ahead and freeze them.
  • Chill the filling and frosting before assembly for better structure.
  • Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor.