Name: Fresh Strawberry Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 3 large eggs, room temperature; 1 egg white, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup whole milk, room temperature; 2 cups fresh strawberries, finely chopped and blotted; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting); 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, ground to powder; 2 tablespoons whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/8 teaspoon salt

Description

This elegant Mediterranean-inspired cake features a tender, buttery crumb studded with fresh, sun-ripened strawberries. Topped with a vibrant, naturally flavored strawberry buttercream, it offers the perfect balance of seasonal fruit and velvety sweetness for any occasion.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 egg white, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk, room temperature
2 cups fresh strawberries, finely chopped and blotted
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, ground to powder
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease and flour two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs and egg white one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, scraping down the bowl as needed.
With the mixer on low, alternate adding the flour mixture and milk in three parts, beginning and ending with the flour.
Gently fold the blotted, chopped strawberries into the batter by hand using a spatula.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a tester comes out clean.
Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, pulse freeze-dried strawberries into a powder, then beat with butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until light and airy before frosting the cooled cake.

Notes

For the best results, ensure your strawberries are blotted extremely dry to prevent the fruit from sinking or making the crumb gummy. Using room temperature ingredients is essential for creating a smooth, stable emulsion in the batter that yields a professional-level texture.

Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mediterranean