If you are looking for a dessert that feels like a breath of fresh air, light as a cloud, and bursting with vibrant flavor, this Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine tender, airy angel food cake layered with juicy, sweet strawberries and cloud-like whipped cream—each bite melts delightfully on your tongue. This recipe celebrates simplicity without sacrificing elegance, making it perfect for both casual family gatherings and special occasions where you want to impress without fuss. The natural sweetness of the strawberries combined with the fluffiness of the cake truly creates a harmonious dance of flavors that feels both nostalgic and exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s wonderful about the Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each one is essential to achieving its irresistible taste and texture. From the lightness of the angel food cake to the fresh zing from the strawberries and the silky smoothness of the whipped cream, these components come together effortlessly.
- Angel food cake (about 10 inches): Light, airy cake serves as the perfect base with its delicate texture and subtle sweetness.
- Fresh strawberries (4 cups, sliced): Adds juiciness and natural sweetness, bringing vibrant color and fresh flavor.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Sweetens strawberries slightly to create a luscious syrup.
- Heavy whipping cream (1 1/2 cups): Whips up into a rich, fluffy topping that complements the cake without overpowering it.
- Powdered sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Provides a warm aromatic touch to the whipped cream.
- Fresh mint leaves (optional): Adds a pop of green and a refreshing hint, perfect for garnishing.
How to Make Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries
Start by washing and slicing your strawberries evenly. Toss them gently with the granulated sugar in a bowl, then let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting time allows the strawberries to release their natural juices, transforming into a lightly sweetened syrup that will soak into the cake, infusing every bite with fresh strawberry goodness.
Step 2: Whip the Cream
In a clean, chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream together with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This whipped cream will be your luscious topping that adds creaminess and a subtle vanilla flavor, perfectly balancing the tartness of the strawberries and light cake texture.
Step 3: Slice the Angel Food Cake
Whether you choose to serve the cake in neat layers or playful cubes, slicing the angel food cake is the next step. If you want classic layers, slice the cake horizontally into two or three even pieces. Cubes offer a casual serving style perfect for trifle-like presentations. Either way, the goal is to prepare the cake for layering with your strawberries and whipped cream.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Now comes the fun part! In a large serving dish, start layering by placing the angel food cake pieces as the base, followed by a generous spoonful of your macerated strawberries, and then a thick layer of whipped cream. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used up, making sure to finish with a beautiful dollop of whipped cream on top. This layered assembly ensures every bite delivers a balanced combination of flavors and textures.
Step 5: Serve
Garnish your creation with extra fresh strawberries and a few mint leaves if you like. Serve the cake chilled for a refreshing finish, or at room temperature if you prefer the full fragrance of the strawberries and vanilla whipped cream to bloom. Either way, this Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe guarantees smiles around the table.
How to Serve Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe
Garnishes
When it comes to garnishing, think fresh and bright. Additional strawberry slices arranged artfully on top along with a scattering of fresh mint leaves offer an inviting look and an extra burst of freshness. These simple touches elevate your dessert visually and flavor-wise, making it feel like a special treat.
Side Dishes
This light and fruity dessert pairs beautifully with a variety of simple side dishes. A crisp green salad with a citrus vinaigrette or a bowl of tangy lemon sorbet can complement the sweetness of the Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe, balancing the meal perfectly and keeping everything feeling fresh and summery.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to get creative when presenting your Strawberry Angel Cake. Serve it in individual glass parfaits layered high with cake, strawberries, and whipped cream for a pretty and practical party dessert. You could also use shortbread cookies as a crunchy base layer under the cake for added texture, or drizzle a balsamic glaze over the top to introduce a sophisticated twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If by some miracle you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The angel food cake will soften as it absorbs moisture from the strawberries and whipped cream, so it’s best enjoyed within 1 to 2 days to keep that wonderful texture intact.
Freezing
While the whipped cream and fresh strawberries make freezing tricky, you can freeze leftover angel food cake separately for up to 3 months. Thaw it before assembling again, or enjoy later with fresh toppings for a quick dessert fix.
Reheating
Since this dessert is best served chilled or at room temperature, reheating isn’t recommended. If the cake has been refrigerated, just let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to get the best flavors and textures.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe?
While fresh strawberries are ideal for their texture and sweetness, frozen strawberries can work if thawed and drained well to avoid excess liquid making the cake soggy. Toss them with sugar and let them sit to release some juice for the best results.
Is it okay to make homemade angel food cake from scratch?
Absolutely! Making your own angel food cake can add an extra homemade touch. Just be sure your cake is completely cooled before slicing and assembling to prevent falling apart.
Can I substitute the granulated sugar for a sugar substitute?
Yes, you can, but it might impact the sweetness and the syrupy texture the sugar helps create with the strawberries. Choose a sugar substitute suited for cooking and keep in mind that flavor may vary slightly.
How long should the strawberries macerate?
About 15 to 20 minutes is perfect for macerating, allowing enough time to release juices and soften slightly without turning mushy. This balance preserves bright flavor and beautiful texture.
Can I add other fruits to this recipe?
Definitely! While fresh strawberries are star of the show, mixing in blueberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches can add an exciting twist and fresh flavor contrast. Just be mindful of moisture content to keep your angel cake from becoming soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe is one of those joy-filled dishes that comes together effortlessly yet feels truly special every time. Lightweight, fruity, and elegantly simple, it’s the kind of dessert you’ll find yourself craving again and again. Whether you’re treating yourself on a quiet afternoon or dazzling friends at your next gathering, this cake will undoubtedly become a cherished favorite worth sharing.
Print
Strawberry Angel Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Angel Cake is a light and airy dessert featuring layers of fluffy angel food cake, macerated fresh strawberries, and luscious whipped cream. It’s a simple yet elegant treat perfect for any occasion, combining the sweetness of ripe strawberries with the delicate texture of angel food cake and the richness of creamy whipped topping.
Ingredients
Angel Food Cake
- 1 store-bought or homemade angel food cake (about 10 inches)
Strawberry Mixture
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Whipped Cream
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash and slice the strawberries. Place them in a bowl and toss with granulated sugar. Let the mixture sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the strawberries to release their juices and form a light syrup.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream along with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract using an electric mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form. This creamy whipped topping will add richness to the cake layers.
- Assemble the Cake: Slice the angel food cake either horizontally into 2 or 3 layers or cut it into cubes, depending on your preferred serving style.
- Layer the Components: In a large serving dish, alternate layers starting with angel food cake, then strawberries with their juice, followed by whipped cream. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of whipped cream on top.
- Serve: Garnish the assembled dessert with additional fresh strawberries and mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled for best flavor, or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can use store-bought angel food cake for convenience or bake your own if preferred.
- Allowing the strawberries to macerate enhances their sweetness and creates a natural syrup.
- Whip the cream just until stiff peaks form to avoid overbeating, which can turn the cream into butter.
- This dessert is best served the same day but can be refrigerated for a few hours in advance.
- For an added flavor twist, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or liqueur to the strawberries before macerating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
