Strawberry Velvet Cake Recipe
If you’ve got a soft spot for strawberries and an ever-present longing for something pretty at dessert, Strawberry Velvet Cake is destined to become your new obsession. Picture this: three layers of pillowy-soft cake speckled with fresh strawberries, tinted the loveliest shade of pink, and blanketed in luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting. Each bite is the perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and satisfyingly moist, making it totally irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a birthday brunch or simply need a pick-me-up, Strawberry Velvet Cake brings both wow-factor and comfort—all baked into one spectacular treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with a handful of simple but essential ingredients, each one chosen for the part it plays in creating the cake’s flavor, tender crumb, and irresistible blush. Don’t skip or swap—these classics work together to give Strawberry Velvet Cake its signature charm!
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake structure while keeping it wonderfully soft and tender.
- Baking powder: Lends a lovely rise so the cake is towering and fluffy.
- Baking soda: Teams up with the buttermilk and sour cream for extra lift and super-moist texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch makes every other flavor pop—don’t leave it out!
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness to the batter and, later, that dreamy frosting.
- Vegetable oil: Ensures each bite is incredibly moist and tender.
- Granulated sugar: The right amount for balancing the tartness of strawberries and rounding out flavors.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cake’s velvety crumb.
- Sour cream: Adds tang and a moist, delicate texture.
- Buttermilk: Gives the cake that subtle tanginess and a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with familiar, sweet depth.
- Almond extract (optional): Just a dash elevates the berry notes. Completely optional—try it once!
- Strawberry puree (fresh or frozen and thawed): Infuses the cake with natural strawberry flavor and a gorgeous hue.
- Red or pink gel food coloring (optional): Make your cake as pink as you like—it’s all for fun!
- Diced fresh strawberries: Studded throughout for pops of juicy fruit in every bite.
- For the Frosting: Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and strawberry puree for that tangy, berry-kissed finish.
How to Make Strawberry Velvet Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment circles. This step is essential—those layers need to come out clean and in one beautiful piece! A quick swipe with butter and dusting with flour helps prevent sticking, and parchment paper guarantees an easy release.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking aerates everything so your Strawberry Velvet Cake comes out airy and light. Set this bowl aside, ready to join the party soon.
Step 3: Cream the Butter, Oil, and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is where the magic starts—properly creamed fat and sugar mean an ultra-soft, tender crumb later. Use medium-high speed and scrape the bowl as you go; you want everything fully combined before moving on.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Dairy
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Next, mix in the sour cream, strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it). This is your moment to revel in the scent—berry and vanilla together smell like pure happiness!
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture in batches, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low just until incorporated. This gentle touch is the secret to a plush, velvet-like texture—never overmix!
Step 6: Color and Fold in Strawberries
If you’d like extra color, add a drop or two of pink or red gel food coloring. Gently fold in the diced strawberries, distributing those juicy bites throughout the batter. Every forkful of Strawberry Velvet Cake will have bits of real fruit.
Step 7: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops and pop them in the oven for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely. This waiting is the hardest part!
Step 8: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cakes cool, beat together the butter and softened cream cheese until velvety smooth. Add the powdered sugar in batches, mixing until fluffy, then blend in the vanilla and strawberry puree. This frosting is what dream cakes are made of—tangy, sweet, and boldly pink.
Step 9: Assemble and Decorate
Once the cake layers are fully cool, assemble by spreading frosting between each layer and over the top and sides. Get creative with swirls, stars, or fresh strawberry slices—whatever your heart (and sweet tooth) desires! There you have it: Strawberry Velvet Cake in all its glory.
How to Serve Strawberry Velvet Cake
Garnishes
For that show-stopping finish, pile on extra sliced strawberries, a sprinkling of freeze-dried strawberries for crunch, or even edible flowers for a whimsical touch. Fresh mint leaves are a lovely, fragrant contrast that makes every plate look like it came from a bakery window.
Side Dishes
While Strawberry Velvet Cake is pretty perfect on its own, pairing it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream is always welcome. A glass of cold milk or a mug of strong, not-too-sweet coffee helps balance out all that berry bliss, too.
Creative Ways to Present
Instead of assembling one tall cake, consider making mini two-layer cakes or even Strawberry Velvet Cake cupcakes for parties or showers. Try slicing thin layers to build a dramatic trifle with fresh berries and extra whipped cream, or serve the cake as part of an afternoon tea platter alongside other petite treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Strawberry Velvet Cake fresh, cover any leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to four days. The cream cheese frosting holds up beautifully, and chilling the cake actually makes those flavors mingle even more. Just let slices come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and taste.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze either the whole cake (unfrosted, wrapped well in plastic and foil) or individual slices. Let the cake or slices thaw overnight in the fridge. For best results, freeze without decoration and frost after thawing, so everything tastes just-made.
Reheating
While Strawberry Velvet Cake is delicious cold or at room temperature, you can gently warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds for that melt-in-your-mouth experience. Just be careful not to overheat, so the frosting stays luscious and doesn’t melt off.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree and diced fruit?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw frozen strawberries completely and drain any excess liquid from the puree and diced berries so your batter doesn’t get too watery.
Can I make Strawberry Velvet Cake ahead for a party?
Absolutely—bake and cool the cake layers up to one day before assembling. Wrap them tightly and keep them at room temperature or in the fridge, then frost just before serving.
What’s the best way to get a vibrant pink color?
If you want that iconic look, use a high-quality gel food coloring in pink or red. A little goes a long way, helping the color really pop while not thinning the batter like liquid colors can.
How do I prevent the diced strawberries from sinking?
Tossing the diced strawberries with a teaspoon of flour before folding them into the batter helps suspend them throughout the cake, so you get lovely fruit in every bite.
Can I use this recipe for cupcakes instead of a layer cake?
Yes! Simply divide the batter among lined cupcake tins, filling each about two-thirds full, and bake for 18–20 minutes. They’re just as tasty and adorable in handheld form.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll treat yourself (and those you love) to a homemade Strawberry Velvet Cake. Every slice is a celebration of strawberries, softness, and pure fun. Get ready for smiles all around and lots of requests for seconds—this cake has a way of turning any occasion into something a little more special!
Print
Strawberry Velvet Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of this Strawberry Velvet Cake. Moist layers bursting with strawberry flavor, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ½ cup strawberry puree (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- Red or pink gel food coloring (optional)
- 1 ½ cups diced fresh strawberries
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup strawberry puree
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, strawberry puree, and extracts.
- Combine Ingredients: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter. Fold in diced strawberries and food coloring if desired.
- Bake: Divide batter into pans and bake for 25–28 minutes. Cool cakes on wire racks.
- Make Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese, add sugar, vanilla, and strawberry puree until fluffy.
- Frost and Decorate: Frost cake layers and decorate to your liking.
Notes
- Ensure strawberry puree is well-blended for optimal flavor.
- Layering with strawberry jam between cake layers enhances the berry taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 41g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
