Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake takes the basic summer season dessert and turns it into a phenomenal, bakery-worthy cake that’s excellent for any celebration. With layers of fluffy vanilla cake, candy macerated strawberries, and luscious whipped cream frosting, this cake delivers recent taste and irresistible texture in each chew.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake is gentle, recent, and excellent for spring or summer season gatherings. It brings collectively the nostalgia of strawberry shortcake with the class of a layer cake. The whipped cream frosting is a pleasant various to conventional buttercream, making every chew ethereal and never overly candy. It’s additionally visually spectacular however simpler to make than it seems.

Substances

(Tip: You’ll discover the complete listing of components and measurements within the recipe card beneath.)

For the cake:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 massive eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup complete milk

For the strawberries:

• 4 cups recent strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the whipped cream frosting:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilly
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Elective: 8 oz cream cheese for a extra steady whipped frosting

Instructions

1. Put together the cake layers:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch spherical cake pans. In a bowl, whisk collectively flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate massive bowl, cream the butter and sugar till gentle and fluffy. Add eggs one after the other, then combine in vanilla. Add flour combination in batches, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Combine till simply mixed.
2. Bake:
   Divide batter evenly between pans and clean the tops. Bake for 25–half-hour, or till a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clear. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then prove onto a wire rack to chill fully.
3. Macerate the strawberries:
   In a bowl, mix sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Let sit for half-hour till juicy.
4. Make the whipped cream frosting:
   Beat chilly heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract (and cream cheese if utilizing) on medium-high pace till stiff peaks type.
5. Assemble the cake:
   Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Unfold a layer of whipped cream, then spoon half the macerated strawberries on high. Place the second cake layer over the strawberries. Frost the highest and sides with remaining whipped cream, then adorn with the remaining strawberries.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12
• Prep Time: half-hour
• Prepare dinner Time: half-hour
• Complete Time: 1 hour quarter-hour

Variations

• Berry Combine: Add blueberries or raspberries for a mixed-berry twist.
• Lemon Taste: Add lemon zest to the cake batter for a citrusy edge.
• Almond Contact: Exchange half the vanilla with almond extract for a bakery-style taste.
• Stabilized Frosting: Use cream cheese or gelatin to stabilize the whipped cream for longer-lasting construction.
• Shortcake Biscuits: Use shortcake biscuit layers as an alternative of conventional cake for a country model.

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigeration: Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cake layers for as much as 2 months. Thaw earlier than assembling.
• Reheating: Not beneficial—this cake is greatest served chilled or at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I exploit boxed cake combine?

Sure, a high-quality vanilla or white cake combine works as a time-saving various.

Can I make it a day upfront?

Sure, assemble the cake as much as a day forward and hold it refrigerated till able to serve.

How do I hold the whipped cream from deflating?

Ensure that your cream may be very chilly and beat till stiff peaks type. Including cream cheese or a stabilizer helps preserve construction.

Can I exploit frozen strawberries?

Recent strawberries are greatest, however thawed and drained frozen strawberries can work in a pinch.

Can I exploit store-bought whipped topping?

Sure, however the taste and texture might differ barely from do-it-yourself whipped cream.

How do I stage my cake layers?

Use a serrated knife or cake leveler to trim the tops of the muffins for a flat, even stack.

What’s the easiest way to embellish the highest?

Pile recent sliced or complete strawberries on high. You may also drizzle with strawberry sauce or mud with powdered sugar.

How do I hold the cake moist?

Don’t overbake. You may also brush the cake layers calmly with easy syrup earlier than assembling.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Sure, use a gluten-free flour mix instead of all-purpose flour.

What’s the easiest way to serve this cake?

Serve chilled or let it sit at room temperature for quarter-hour for softer texture earlier than slicing.

Conclusion

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake is a beautiful and scrumptious dessert that’s certain to impress. With its tender vanilla cake, juicy strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream, it’s all the things you like about strawberry shortcake in a chic, sliceable type. Whether or not you’re celebrating a birthday, vacation, or simply having fun with summer season’s bounty, this cake is a recent and festive selection.

Print