Name: Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 5 h 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 6 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled; 2 and 1/2 cups cake flour (295g), spooned & leveled; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar; 5 large egg whites, at room temperature; 1/3 cup (80g) full-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, at room temperature; 1/2 cup reduced strawberry puree (about 135g), cooled; Optional: 1–2 drops red or pink food coloring; 1 cup (about 25g) freeze-dried strawberries; 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 Tablespoon whole milk; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt, to taste

If you adore fresh strawberries and crave a dessert that feels both special and homemade, you’re going to love this Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s bursting with real strawberry flavor, light, and topped with the creamiest frosting you can imagine!

A round cake with two visible layers sits on a white cake stand over a white marbled surface. The top is coated with thick, light pink frosting that has a creamy texture with small red specks. Two whole strawberries with green leaves are placed close together at the center of the cake. One slice is slightly separated, showing a darker pink or red cake layer under the frosting. The frosting on the side and top is spread in soft, swirling patterns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made plenty of strawberry cakes over the years, but there’s something truly magical about this one—the way the fresh strawberry puree and freeze-dried powder come together makes it stand out. It’s not just any strawberry cake; it’s your new go-to for celebrations or whenever you want to impress.

Real Strawberry Flavor: Fresh strawberries in the batter and freeze-dried berries in the frosting create layers of authentic, vibrant strawberry taste.
Beautiful Pink Hue: Natural color from strawberries, with optional food coloring to enhance that pretty pastel pink.
Light & Moist Texture: Using egg whites and sour cream ensures the cake is tender but not heavy.
Deliciously Creamy Frosting: This strawberry cream cheese frosting is rich but perfectly balanced—not too sweet, just right.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, make sure you have good-quality fresh strawberries and freeze-dried strawberries for best results. Each ingredient here plays a specific role, from texture to flavor and that beautiful color we love.

Flat lay of a small heap of fresh hulled strawberries, a small mound of fine cake flour, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, a slab of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth red strawberry puree, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a block of softened cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of freeze-dried strawberry powder, a small white ceramic bowl of confectioners’ sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, pinch of salt crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh strawberries: The star of the show for flavor and natural sweetness, perfect for puree and color.
Cake flour: Keeps the crumb tender and fine-textured compared to all-purpose flour.
Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to leaven and lighten the cake.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, softened for easy creaming.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a delicate crumb.
Egg whites: Provide structure and lightness without extra fat.
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: Adds tang and moisture, balancing the sweetness.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with subtle warmth.
Whole milk: Keeps the batter smooth and tender; room temperature helps it combine better.
Reduced strawberry puree: Concentrated fresh strawberry flavor that infuses the cake itself.
Red or pink food coloring (optional): For amplifying that pretty pink shade if desired.
Freeze-dried strawberries: Ground to powder, they deliver intense strawberry flavor and color to the frosting.
Full-fat brick cream cheese: The creamy and tangy base for the frosting, softened for easy mixing.
Unsalted butter (frosting): Creates smoothness and stability in the frosting.
Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a luscious finish.
Whole milk (frosting): Adjusts frosting consistency to silky perfection.
Pure vanilla extract (frosting): Rounds out the flavors nicely.
Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the strawberry notes.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about baking is making a recipe your own! This Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is wonderfully versatile — you can tweak it to suit dietary needs, seasonal bounty, or just your flavor preferences.

Gluten-Free Version: I once swapped the cake flour for a gluten-free blend with a little xanthan gum added. The texture was a bit denser but still beautifully tender — perfect for friends avoiding gluten!
Vegan Adaptation: For a vegan twist, try using a dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter substitute. I recommend aquafaba in place of egg whites to maintain the light crumb. It’s a fun experiment that retains the strawberry shine.
Extra Strawberry Boost: Adding a handful of finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries into the batter gave my cake an intense strawberry crunch that was a delightful surprise!
Frosting Variations: If you want to skip cream cheese, using a strawberry buttercream is a lovely alternative — it’s sweeter and lighter but keeps the strawberry flavor front and center.
Seasonal Flair: In spring, I love garnishing the frosted cake with fresh strawberry slices and edible flowers. It brightens the presentation and adds fresh bursts of flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows a slice of two-layer pink cake with a creamy pink frosting layer in the middle and covering the outside. The cake has a soft, spongy texture with small air holes. A single red strawberry with green leaves sits on top as decoration. The cake slice is placed on a white plate with a scalloped edge, which rests on a red and white checkered cloth. The background is a white marbled surface with a blurry brown wood-like backdrop. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Craft the Reduced Strawberry Puree

Begin by pureeing one pound of fresh, hulled strawberries until silky smooth. Pour this vibrant puree into a small saucepan over medium-low heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to ½ cup — roughly 25 to 35 minutes. Watch closely as the puree thickens and the color deepens to a luscious pink. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. I like to make this step the day before — refrigerate overnight for the best flavor and bring it to room temperature before blending it into your batter.

Step 2: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds for hassle-free cake release. Don't forget to grease the parchment too! This step ensures your beautiful strawberry cake layers come out perfectly without sticking.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2½ cups of cake flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisking these dry components together evenly distributes the leavening agents so your cake rises beautifully and bakes evenly.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar to Cloud-Like Perfection

Using your stand or handheld mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat ¾ cup softened unsalted butter and 1¾ cups granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration step creates that tender crumb we all love in a homemade strawberry cake.

Step 5: Add Egg Whites, Sour Cream, and Vanilla

Pour in 5 room temperature egg whites and beat on high speed for about 2 minutes until fully combined. Be sure to scrape down the bowl once or twice to incorporate every bit! Then add ⅓ cup sour cream and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, beating on medium-high speed for 1 minute. These ingredients add moisture and richness, balancing out the bright strawberry flavor.

Step 6: Blend Dry Ingredients and Milk Gently

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients. Then pour in ½ cup whole milk carefully, continuing to beat until just combined. It’s important not to overmix here — a light hand keeps your cake tender and airy.

Step 7: Infuse with Strawberry Puree and Optional Food Coloring

Use a whisk to fold in the cooled reduced strawberry puree and 1–2 drops of red or pink food coloring if you want an extra pop of color. Make sure there are no lumps, and the batter should feel slightly thick and luscious, with that gorgeous pink hue shining through.

Step 8: Bake and Cool Your Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans set on a wire rack for 1 hour. Then carefully run a knife around the edges to loosen them, remove the cakes, peel off parchment, and cool completely on the rack — the cakes must be fully cool before frosting!

Step 9: Whip Up the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

In a food processor, pulverize 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder, sifting to remove any larger bits. Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with ½ cup unsalted butter on medium-high until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, strawberry powder, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat low for 30 seconds, then high for 3 minutes until creamy and fluffy. If needed, add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Chill the frosting in the fridge for 1 hour before frosting your cake.

Step 10: Assemble and Frost Your Masterpiece

Level each cake layer by carefully slicing off the domed tops with a serrated knife. Place one layer on your plate or turntable, spread ¾ to 1 cup of frosting evenly on top, then invert and place the second cake layer upside down over it. Apply a thin crumb coat of 1 cup frosting around the cake, using a bench scraper to smooth the sides. Chill for 20 minutes until set. Finish by generously covering the top and sides with remaining frosting. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before slicing to let the frosting firm up and ensure clean slices. Voilà—your stunning Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is ready to be enjoyed!

Top Tip

Every baker wants their Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe to turn out moist, flavorful, and beautiful. These tips are the little secrets I’ve learned along the way that make all the difference in your baking experience and final result.

Make Ahead Reduced Strawberry Puree: Reducing your strawberry puree a day ahead and chilling it fully not only deepens the strawberry flavor but also helps the batter stay light without getting watery.
Room Temperature Ingredients: I always bring butter, egg whites, sour cream, and milk to room temperature before starting. It ensures everything blends smoothly for that tender crumb we all crave.
Frosting Chill Time: Don’t rush the frosting. Refrigerate it for at least an hour after making it to let it thicken and develop its creamy texture—that way it spreads beautifully without sliding off.
Crumb Coat Patience: Taking the time to apply a thin crumb coat and chill for 20 minutes prevents pesky crumbs from mixing into your final frosting layer and keeps your cake looking pristine.

How to Serve Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A large clear glass mixing bowl filled with a smooth, thick, light pink batter with small specks, swirled gently with a wooden spatula that has a pink tip covered in batter, sitting on a white marbled surface. Above it, a smaller clear glass measuring cup holds thick, bright red mixture with a small wooden spatula inside, resting at an angle. Nearby, a set of metal measuring spoons with black handles lie on the surface along with a small white lid or dish. The overall scene is bright and clean, focused on the batter and mixing tools. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Your Strawberry Cake is already bursting with fresh berry flavor and that gorgeous pink blush, but garnishes can elevate it even more! Fresh strawberry slices arranged elegantly on top add a juicy freshness and visual appeal. For a fun finish, sprinkle freeze-dried strawberry powder or edible rose petals for a delicate, floral touch. A few fresh mint leaves provide a lovely pop of green and a contrast in flavor that’s refreshing with the cream cheese frosting.

Side Dishes

Because this cake is rich and full of strawberry goodness, lighter sides work best. Think fresh fruit salad with citrus segments and berries, a dollop of whipped cream infused with lemon zest, or even a simple vanilla bean ice cream on the side. If you’re serving at a party or brunch, a crisp, lightly sweetened green salad with tangy vinaigrette balances the cake’s sweetness beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying a slice (or two!), wrap your leftover Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To get the best flavor and texture, be sure to take it out of the fridge about 2 hours before serving, allowing it to come closer to room temperature. This makes the frosting soft and the cake moist again—like it was freshly baked.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. You can freeze unfrosted cake layers or a fully assembled frosted cake (well wrapped) for 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving. This is a great way to prepare your cake ahead of time for special occasions without stress.

Reheating

Because this is a delicate cake with cream cheese frosting, I don’t recommend reheating in a microwave or oven. Instead, simply let the cake sit out at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes before serving if it’s been chilled, so the flavors and texture shine through without melting the frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh for the puree?

Yes! You can use frozen strawberries, but keep in mind they might take longer to reduce down into the puree. Thaw them fully before starting the reduction for best results.

What if I can’t find freeze-dried strawberries for the frosting?

If freeze-dried strawberries aren’t available, you can simply omit them and increase the confectioners’ sugar by ½ cup. The frosting will be sweeter but still delicious.

How can I make the cake more vibrant pink?

Adding 1 to 2 drops of red or pink gel food coloring to the batter helps deepen the pink hue. It’s optional but adds a lovely visual boost.

Can I prepare the cake layers and frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake and cool the cake layers a day ahead, store them covered at room temperature, and prepare the frosting the night before, refrigerating it until ready to use. This makes assembling less stressful on the day of serving.

Final Thoughts

Baking this Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is truly a labor of love that pays off with every bite. From the luscious fresh strawberry puree to the light, fluffy cake layers and that irresistible creamy frosting, it’s a dessert made to celebrate special moments or simply enjoy with those you love. I hope this recipe becomes your go-to whenever you want to savor the vibrant taste of strawberries in a way that feels homemade and heartfelt. Happy baking and happy tasting!