Here’s a Moist Strawberry Cake recipe that’s full of fresh strawberry flavor and a soft, tender crumb. You can make it from scratch with real strawberries—no boxed mix needed!
🍓 Moist Strawberry Cake (From Scratch)
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Reduction:
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled
- 1–2 tbsp sugar (optional, depending on strawberry sweetness)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
For the Cake:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or full-fat yogurt
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup strawberry reduction (from above)
Optional Add-in:
- ½ cup finely chopped strawberries (pat dry before folding into the batter)
Instructions
1. Make the Strawberry Reduction:
- Place strawberries (and sugar, if using) in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook down for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and jammy.
- Blend or mash, then cool completely. You should have about ½ cup.
2. Preheat & Prepare Pans:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 inch pan. Line bottoms with parchment paper if desired.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Cream Butter & Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
5. Add Eggs & Flavoring:
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
6. Combine Wet & Dry:
- Mix in sour cream, milk, and strawberry reduction.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Don’t overmix.
- Gently fold in chopped strawberries if using.
7. Bake:
- Divide batter into pans.
- Bake for 28–35 minutes (round pans) or 35–40 minutes (9×13) until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup strawberry reduction or jam
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, strawberry reduction, and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
- Chill for 15 minutes before frosting if too soft.
Let me know if you want a dairy-free or gluten-free version!