Strawberry Layer Cake with Fluffy Frosting

This Fresh Strawberry Delight Layer Cake is a show-stopping dessert perfect for summer celebrations or anytime you’re craving something light, fruity, and indulgent. With soft vanilla cake layers, sweet macerated strawberries, and a cloud-like frosting, this cake is sure to impress your family and friends.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

1. Light and Fluffy Layers: The use of cake flour ensures a soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
2. Natural Strawberry Sweetness: Fresh strawberries take center stage, providing vibrant flavor and natural sweetness.
3. Elevated Frosting: The classic 7-minute frosting offers a fluffy, marshmallow-like texture that complements the cake perfectly.
4. Refreshing Orange Notes: Adding fresh orange juice and zest gives the cake a bright, citrusy undertone that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
5. Perfect for Special Occasions: With its stunning layers and fresh garnish, this cake is a centerpiece-worthy dessert.

The Secret to a Perfect Strawberry Layer Cake

Making this cake involves simple but essential techniques to ensure the best results:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature eggs, butter, and milk to create a smooth batter and even baking.
• Macerating Strawberries: Tossing the strawberries in sugar and letting them sit draws out their natural juices, creating a flavorful syrup to moisten the cake.
• Layer Assembly: Slicing the cake layers and layering them with strawberries and frosting ensures every bite is a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Ingredients Overview

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters:

For the Cake

• Cake Flour: Low-protein flour gives the cake its signature lightness. Substitute with all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch if needed.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise evenly.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and aids in creaming the butter for a fluffy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure to the cake.
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness. Use whole milk for the best results.
• Orange Juice and Zest: Adds a fresh citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
• Vanilla Extract: A classic addition that enhances the overall flavor.

For the Frosting

• Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
• Egg Whites: Creates a fluffy, marshmallow-like texture when whipped.
• Water: Helps dissolve the sugar for a smooth frosting.
• Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites for a glossy, firm frosting.
• Orange Zest and Vanilla Extract: Add a hint of citrus and vanilla for extra flavor.

For the Filling and Garnish

• Fresh Strawberries: Thinly sliced and macerated to bring out their natural juices.
• Extra Whole Strawberries: For garnish, adding a beautiful finishing touch.

Guide to Making the Cake

Preparing the Cake Layers

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Combine milk and orange juice in a small bowl and let it sit to curdle slightly. This creates a buttermilk-like consistency.
3. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps incorporate air, ensuring a light cake.
4. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for a tender cake.
5. Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract and orange zest, ensuring everything is fully combined.
6. Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk-orange juice mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients to maintain the batter’s structure.
7. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Assembling the Cake

1. Macerate Strawberries: Combine sliced strawberries with a tablespoon of sugar and let sit for 15 minutes. This process releases their juices, perfect for drizzling over the cake layers.
2. Slice Cake Layers: Use a serrated knife to carefully slice each cake layer in half horizontally, creating four thin layers.
3. Layer the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of macerated strawberries, including their juice, and top with a generous layer of frosting. Repeat with the remaining layers.
4. Frost the Cake: Spread the remaining frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Use a spatula to create decorative swirls.
5. Garnish: Top the cake with halved or whole strawberries for a stunning presentation.

Storing and Serving Tips

• Refrigerate: Keep the cake chilled until ready to serve. The frosting and strawberries are best preserved when refrigerated.
• Serve Fresh: This cake is best enjoyed the same day it’s made to prevent the strawberry juices from making the cake soggy.
• Slice with Care: Use a serrated knife for clean, even slices.

Strawberry Delight Layer Cake Recipe

A delicious alternative to strawberry shortcake, this Strawberry Layer Cake is the perfect summer dessert. Layered with fresh strawberries and fluffy frosting it is pretty and delicious.

Duration

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup milk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons orange zest

For the Frosting:

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Filling and Garnish:

• 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced (about 4 cups)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• Extra whole or halved strawberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cake:
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round pans with parchment paper.
   • Combine milk and orange juice; let sit.
   • Sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
   • Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and orange zest.
   • Gradually mix in dry ingredients and milk mixture, alternating between the two. Pour batter into pans.
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Make the Frosting:
   • In a heatproof bowl, combine sugar, water, egg whites, and cream of tartar. Beat until foamy.
   • Place bowl over simmering water. Beat until soft peaks form, about 7 minutes.
   • Remove from heat. Add orange zest and vanilla; beat until thickened and cool.
3. Assemble the Cake:
   • Macerate strawberries with sugar.
   • Slice cake layers in half. Layer strawberries, juice, and frosting between each layer.
   • Frost the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with whole strawberries.
4. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 429kcal (21%) Carbohydrates: 61g (20%) Protein: 7g (14%) Fat: 18g (28%) Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) Cholesterol: 96mg (32%) Sodium: 199mg (9%) Potassium: 238mg (7%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 37g (41%)