This Easy Strawberry Cake brings the perfect balance of sweetness and fruity flavor to your table. Bursting with fresh strawberries, the fluffy and buttery cake serves as the ideal canvas for the natural sweetness of the fruit. Every bite offers a delightful combination of tender cake and juicy berries, making it perfect for a summer dessert or any occasion.
What’s more, this cake requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor and appeal. The simple preparation allows the strawberries to shine, and the dusting of icing sugar adds an elegant touch. Whether you’re hosting a get-together or just treating yourself, this strawberry cake is sure to impress.
Full Recipe:
- 500g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 150g plain flour
- 150g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 125g unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Icing sugar for dusting
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 22cm (9-inch) springform pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Gradually fold in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and arrange the strawberry halves on top, cut side down.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes
Kcal: 280 kcal | Servings: 8 servings
Easy Strawberry Cake: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion
There is something magical about combining fresh, juicy strawberries with the delicate, buttery crumb of a homemade cake. The Easy Strawberry Cake is a true testament to the beauty of simplicity in baking. It’s not just about creating a dessert – it’s about the experience of turning seasonal ingredients into something extraordinary. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned professional, this strawberry cake is sure to become one of your go-to recipes for family gatherings, celebrations, or even a casual afternoon treat.
Why Strawberry Cake?
Strawberries are among the most beloved fruits in the world. Their vibrant color, sweet-tart flavor, and nutritional benefits make them a popular choice for desserts. While strawberries are often enjoyed fresh, baking them into a cake elevates their natural flavor, turning them into soft, jam-like bursts of sweetness scattered throughout the cake.
This recipe takes advantage of the strawberry’s versatility by incorporating it into a buttery cake base that perfectly complements the fruit’s juicy texture. Unlike other strawberry cakes that may rely on artificial flavorings, this version uses fresh, ripe strawberries, making it a healthier and more flavorful alternative. The result is a beautifully moist, fruity cake with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
Key Features of the Easy Strawberry Cake
This cake stands out for several reasons, making it an ideal addition to your repertoire of homemade desserts:
- Ease of Preparation: As the name suggests, this strawberry cake is incredibly easy to make. With just a handful of basic ingredients and a simple batter, you can have a delicious dessert ready in under an hour. It’s perfect for those times when you want something sweet but don’t have the energy or time for complex recipes.
- Seasonal Fruit: The cake shines best when made with fresh, in-season strawberries. Using fresh berries gives the cake a vibrant, fruity flavor and ensures a moist, tender crumb. It’s an excellent way to make the most of strawberry season, but you can also use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available.
- Versatile Serving Options: The beauty of this cake lies in its versatility. It can be served plain with a dusting of powdered sugar for an everyday treat, or dressed up with whipped cream or a dollop of yogurt for a more elegant dessert. You can also serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making it the perfect choice for summer picnics, family dinners, or even a festive holiday meal.
- Perfect for All Skill Levels: This cake recipe is beginner-friendly, requiring minimal effort and no special baking techniques. Even if you’re not an experienced baker, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow, and the results are consistently impressive.
The Role of Ingredients in This Cake
Though the ingredient list is simple, each component plays a critical role in delivering the cake’s final taste and texture. The combination of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour forms the base of the cake, creating a moist and fluffy structure that allows the strawberries to shine. But beyond the basics, there’s more going on in this cake than meets the eye.
- Strawberries: The star of the show, strawberries provide both flavor and texture. As they bake, the strawberries release their juices, creating pockets of sweetness that contrast beautifully with the buttery cake. Their natural acidity helps balance the sweetness, making each bite light and refreshing.
- Butter: Melted butter gives the cake its rich, tender crumb. Its fat content contributes to the moist texture and enhances the overall flavor, ensuring that the cake remains soft even after baking.
- Vanilla Extract: Though a minor ingredient, vanilla extract adds depth to the cake’s flavor, complementing the strawberries and giving the cake a subtle sweetness.
- Icing Sugar: The final dusting of icing sugar adds a touch of elegance and sweetness, making the cake look as good as it tastes.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Cake
While the recipe is straightforward, a few tips can help you take this strawberry cake from good to great:
- Use Fresh, Ripe Strawberries: The fresher and riper your strawberries, the more flavorful your cake will be. Strawberries that are in season tend to be juicier and sweeter, making them ideal for baking. If you’re using frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw and drain them before adding them to the cake to avoid excess moisture.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a dense cake. When folding the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, be gentle and stop as soon as everything is combined. This will help keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Serve Warm or at Room Temperature: While the cake is delicious at any temperature, serving it slightly warm enhances the flavor of the strawberries. If you prefer a cooler dessert, allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
- Add a Twist: While the classic recipe is delicious on its own, you can easily add your twist to this cake. Consider adding a tablespoon of lemon zest for a citrusy brightness or incorporating a handful of blueberries or raspberries for a mixed berry version.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake
One of the best things about the Easy Strawberry Cake is its versatility when it comes to serving. Depending on the occasion, you can dress it up or down to suit your needs:
- Casual Treat: For a simple, no-fuss dessert, serve the cake as is with a light dusting of powdered sugar. It’s perfect for an afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Elegant Dessert: For a more refined presentation, serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche. The creamy texture pairs beautifully with the light, fluffy cake and juicy strawberries.
- Special Occasions: If you’re making this cake for a special event, consider adding a layer of cream cheese frosting or a drizzle of chocolate ganache. You can also top the cake with additional fresh strawberries for a stunning visual effect.
- Breakfast or Brunch: Believe it or not, this strawberry cake can double as a breakfast treat. Serve it with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola for a satisfying morning meal.
Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is essential for boosting the immune system and promoting healthy skin. Strawberries are also rich in antioxidants, which help fight inflammation and protect the body from free radical damage.
Incorporating strawberries into your diet through desserts like this cake is a great way to enjoy their health benefits while satisfying your sweet tooth. Because this recipe uses fresh strawberries, you’ll get the added nutritional value of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that store-bought strawberry-flavored cakes simply can’t provide.
Conclusion
The Easy Strawberry Cake is a delightful and versatile dessert that brings together the natural sweetness of strawberries with the comforting flavors of a homemade cake. Its simplicity and ease of preparation make it a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced bakers, while its vibrant flavor and beautiful presentation make it suitable for any occasion.
Whether you’re celebrating a special event, hosting a family dinner, or simply craving something sweet, this cake is sure to impress. It’s a wonderful way to showcase the flavor of fresh strawberries, and with its light, tender crumb, it will quickly become a favorite in your household.
With its perfect balance of sweetness, freshness, and buttery richness, the Easy Strawberry Cake is more than just a dessert – it’s an experience. Enjoy the process of baking it, and savor every bite with your loved ones. Happy baking!