If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping, joy-sparking dessert, look no further than the Best Ever Strawberry Cake. Each bite is a celebration of luscious strawberries, moist cake, and a cloud of strawberry cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, picnic, or one of those “just because” kind of days, this cake shines in rich flavor and dazzling pink color. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll see why it’s become a beloved tradition in so many homes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Best Ever Strawberry Cake is that the ingredient list is straightforward, yet each component plays a starring role. From plump berries to zesty gelatin and creamy frosting, you’ll find that a few simple, quality ingredients create pure dessert magic.
- Box white cake mix: A fuss-free foundation that ensures a soft, fluffy crumb every time while soaking up all the strawberry goodness.
- Strawberry-flavored gelatin (1 package, 3 oz): This secret ingredient amplifies the natural berry flavor and adds that gorgeous pastel pink hue.
- Mashed fresh strawberries (1 cup for cake, 1/4 cup for frosting): Nothing beats real strawberries for freshness and fragrance—use super-ripe berries for best results.
- Large eggs (4): Eggs bring structure, moisture, and a lovely richness to the final cake.
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup): Keeps the cake ultra-moist and tender from the first crumb to the last bite.
- Water (1/4 cup): Just enough to help all the dry ingredients marry together beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon for cake, 1/2 teaspoon for frosting): A comforting aroma that rounds out those sweet strawberry notes.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): The tangy creaminess of the frosting owes everything to this star.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Blended with cream cheese, it makes the frosting plush and rich.
- Powdered sugar (4 cups): The key to a smooth, fluffy, sweet frosting that pipes and swirls like a dream.
How to Make Best Ever Strawberry Cake
Step 1: Prep the Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). For an easy cake release, grease and flour two 8-inch round pans or one 9×13-inch dish. This little step makes a world of difference when it’s time to flip the cakes—trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the box of white cake mix and the strawberry-flavored gelatin. Combining these first helps evenly distribute that bold berry color and flavor, ensuring your Best Ever Strawberry Cake is as vibrant inside as it is outside.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
To the dry mix, add mashed fresh strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and vanilla extract. This combination brings out the natural sweetness and creates a batter that’s silky, thick, and bursting with berry aroma.
Step 4: Beat Until Smooth
Using an electric mixer, beat the batter on medium speed for two minutes until everything’s beautifully incorporated and silky smooth. Don’t skimp on this mixing time—the extra minutes build air into the batter for a lighter, moister crumb.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pour the cake batter evenly into your prepared pans. Slide them into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. When a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, your cakes are done! Allow them to cool in the pans for roughly 10 minutes before gently turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely. Patience here pays off for that perfect, crack-free top.
Step 6: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cakes cool, whip up the dreamiest frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until they’re light and creamy. Next, add the mashed strawberries and vanilla for gorgeous color and flavor. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until the frosting is fluffy, smooth, and absolutely irresistible.
Step 7: Frost and Chill
Once the cakes have cooled completely, slather on that luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting. For the neatest edges and most beautiful slices, chill the cake slightly before serving. This helps the frosting set perfectly and brings out every layer’s color.
How to Serve Best Ever Strawberry Cake
Garnishes
The finishing touch is always a sprinkle of magic! Top your Best Ever Strawberry Cake with halved or whole fresh strawberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a sprig of mint. It’s a simple flourish that wows the eyes and delights the tastebuds.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs deliciously with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a handful of blueberries, or a dollop of homemade whipped cream. For brunch, serve it alongside hot coffee or sparkling lemonade to brighten up any table and make any meal a party.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, bake the batter in cupcake tins for adorable strawberry cupcakes, or cut the cake into mini squares for picnic-perfect bites. You can even layer the slices into a trifle dish with extra berries and whipped cream for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got extra Best Ever Strawberry Cake? Wrap slices tightly or store the whole cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and moist for three to four days, and the flavors just get better as they mingle.
Freezing
If you want to savor the strawberry goodness longer, you can freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped in plastic and foil for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost freshly for almost-from-scratch results whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
While this cake is delightful cold, if you love a cozy treat, let your slice sit at room temperature for 20 minutes or give it a very brief zap in the microwave (just 5–8 seconds). The frosting softens and those strawberry flavors burst right back to life.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw and drain them well before mashing, so your Best Ever Strawberry Cake doesn’t turn soggy. Fresh berries deliver the brightest taste, but frozen ones will still make a lovely cake.
Do I have to use strawberry gelatin?
The strawberry gelatin isn’t just for color—it boosts the natural strawberry flavor and keeps the cake perfectly tender. If you skip it, the cake won’t have quite the same signature taste and hue.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the white cake mix for your favorite gluten-free cake mix and make sure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free. All the strawberry goodness remains, just in a gluten-free version.
Can I double the recipe for a bigger crowd?
You sure can. Simply double each ingredient, divide between more pans, and keep an eye on baking time—bigger cakes may take a few minutes longer. Your Best Ever Strawberry Cake will be just as magical, only supersized!
How do I get the brightest pink color?
For that iconic strawberry pink, use extra-ripe berries and don’t skip the gelatin. If you love an especially vivid hue, a drop or two of pink food coloring in the batter does the trick without affecting flavor.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this recipe enough—it has everything I want in a cake: color, flavor, and an unmissable hint of nostalgia. I hope you’ll try the Best Ever Strawberry Cake and let it become a treasured favorite in your home too. Happy baking!
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Best Ever Strawberry Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Best Ever Strawberry Cake. Moist and fluffy strawberry-infused cake layers are paired with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting, creating a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin
- 1 cup mashed fresh strawberries
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup mashed strawberries
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour cake pans.
- Prepare cake batter: Mix cake mix, gelatin, strawberries, eggs, oil, water, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
- Bake: Divide batter into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter. Add strawberries, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy.
- Frost cake: Frost cooled cake layers and chill before serving.
Notes
- Enhance strawberry flavor with extract
- Decorate with fresh strawberries
- Store covered in the refrigerator
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
