Dive into a world of sweetness and indulgence with our Best Ever Strawberry Cake. This delightful dessert combines the airy lightness of a classic white cake with the vibrant, juicy flavors of fresh strawberries. With every bite, you’ll experience a burst of summery freshness, making it a perfect treat for any occasion, from family gatherings to celebratory events. The addition of a creamy, luscious cream cheese icing infused with pureed strawberries takes this cake to a whole new level of decadence. Follow along as we guide you through the steps to create this irresistible masterpiece that’s bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Tips for Success:
- Quality Ingredients: Use the freshest strawberries you can find for the puree, as they will significantly impact the flavor and color of your cake and icing. If using frozen strawberries, ensure they are thawed and drained well to avoid excess moisture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting. This helps achieve a smoother batter and icing, ensuring better incorporation of ingredients.
- Smooth Puree: When preparing your strawberry puree, aim for a smooth consistency without large chunks. This ensures an even distribution of strawberry flavor throughout the cake and icing.
- Even Baking: To ensure your cake bakes evenly, consider using baking strips around the pan or rotating the cake halfway through the baking time if your oven has hot spots.
Best Ever Strawberry Cake:
Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 3 tbsp plain flour
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry jello
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup oil (canola oil recommended)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen pureed strawberries (one cup for the cake and one cup for the icing)
- 4 eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing and flouring it thoroughly to prevent the cake from sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, plain flour, and strawberry jello. Stir in the water to blend with the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the oil to the mixture, ensuring it’s fully incorporated. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
- Fold in one cup of the pureed strawberries into the batter, mixing gently until just combined.
- Beat the cake batter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until it’s well mixed and slightly fluffy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13 inch pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack before icing.
Cream Cheese Icing (Adapted from Paula Deen):
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup pureed strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Icing Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat them together using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the pureed strawberries to the butter and cream cheese mixture, and continue to beat until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition until the icing is smooth and creamy.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese icing over the top of the cake evenly.
- If desired, garnish the cake with additional strawberries or a drizzle of pureed strawberries for an extra touch of elegance.
- Serve and enjoy your deliciously moist and flavorful Best Ever Strawberry Cake!
This cake is perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful strawberry flavor that’s sure to please any crowd. Enjoy your baking!