Growing up near the Mediterranean coast, the arrival of red berries signaled the start of a vibrant season. We do not just eat fruit; we celebrate its juice and texture. This cake captures that fleeting spirit, offering a crumb so tender it reminds me of our most delicate syrup-soaked semolina desserts, yet it relies entirely on the natural moisture of pureed strawberries.
This fresh strawberry cake uses a lush fruit puree directly in the batter, creating a natural pink hue and an aroma that fills the kitchen. Balanced with a silky strawberry cream cheese frosting, it is a simple sheet cake with the soul of a pâtisserie masterpiece. It is moist, fragrant, and perfect for sharing.
The Texture Magic
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth: The combination of oil and melted butter creates a crumb that is sturdy yet impossibly soft, letting the fork glide through effortlessly.
- Natural Sweetness: Unlike artificial flavors, the puree infuses the cake with the authentic, tart-sweet essence of fresh berries.
- Effortless Beauty: This is a sheet cake that looks stunning with minimal effort, perfect for a relaxed afternoon gathering.
Fresh Strawberry Cake
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 15 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Experience the essence of summer with this moist sheet cake featuring a lush strawberry puree and a tangy cream cheese frosting. It is a simple yet sophisticated dessert that celebrates natural fruit flavors and a delicate, tender texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Fresh sliced strawberries for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Blitz strawberries in a food processor to create a smooth puree.
- In a large bowl, whisk together oil, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Incorporate the strawberry puree and milk into the wet mixture.
- Sift and gently fold in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before topping with a whipped mixture of cream cheese, jam, sugar, and heavy cream.
Notes
To ensure a perfectly smooth frosting, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it with the cream cheese. If the cake is for a special occasion, you can enhance the natural pink color with a tiny drop of food coloring, as the strawberry puree tends to fade slightly during the baking process.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Mediterranean Pantry Essentials
- Fresh Strawberries: The star of the show. We blitz them into a smooth puree to distribute moisture evenly throughout the batter.
- Vegetable Oil & Melted Butter: We use a blend—oil for lasting moisture and butter for that rich, golden flavor profile.
- Cornstarch: A crucial addition for texture. It softens the proteins in the flour, mimicking the tenderness of cake flour.
- Cream Cheese: Must be at room temperature to create a frosting that is smooth, tangy, and cloud-like.
- Strawberry Jam: concentrated sweetness that ripples through the frosting without making it runny.
The Method
Step 1: Prep the Fruit
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment. Blitz your fresh or thawed strawberries in a food processor until they form a puree. I prefer it smooth, but a little texture adds a rustic charm.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Base
In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. You want this mixture to be smooth and glossy. Whisk in your strawberry puree and milk until the batter turns a beautiful, soft pink color.
Step 3: Gentle Folding
Sift in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Switch to a hand whisk or spatula and mix gently. Stop the moment the flour disappears. Patience is key here; overmixing will ruin the tender crumb we desire.
Step 4: The Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes. The secret is to test with a toothpick: it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, not clean. If it is clean, the cake may be dry. Let it cool completely.
Step 5: The Creamy Finish
For the frosting, whisk the room temperature cream cheese, jam, sugar, heavy cream, and salt until silky. Do not overbeat, or it may become runny. Spread generously over the cooled cake and top with fresh sliced berries.
Mehmet’s Secrets for Perfection
- Temperature is Everything: Make sure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before mixing. Cold cheese creates lumps that disrupt the smooth mouthfeel we want.
- Watch the Crumb: When checking the cake, look for those moist crumbs on the toothpick. This indicates the cake is fully baked but still retains its moisture, similar to the texture we prize in our fruit cake recipes.
- Pink Enhancement: If you want a deeper color, a drop of pink gel food coloring helps, as baking naturally dulls the pink hue of the puree.
- Cooling Time: Never frost a warm cake. The cream cheese will melt and slide off. Patience yields the best result.
Mediterranean Twists
- Citrus Zest: Rub lemon or orange zest into the sugar before mixing. The citrus oils brighten the berry flavor, a technique we use often in the Mediterranean.
- Berry Swap: You can replace the strawberries with raspberries for a tart variation. It reminds me of the vibrant flavors in our succulent fruit fusion desserts.
- Layered Cake: Divide the batter between two 8-inch round pans to create a layer cake. Reduce the baking time slightly to account for the smaller pans.
At the Table
Serve this cake on a simple platter to let the pink frosting shine. It pairs beautifully with a dark, strong coffee or a glass of tea in the late afternoon. For a truly colorful dessert spread, you might serve it alongside a slice of our bright lemon rainbow cake to offer guests a choice of citrus or berry.
The Sweet Truth
This fresh strawberry cake is a celebration of the season, offering a texture that is as memorable as the flavor. It invites you to slow down and savor the sweetness of the fruit. If you enjoy this balance of tart and sweet, you must try our raspberry white chocolate cake next.
We were inspired by the lovely technique at Bake with Zoha for this recipe.
Share your creation with us on social media!
