Description
A bright and refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Cake that captures the flavors of summer with soft lemon cake layers, juicy strawberries, and tangy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 2½ cups – provides structure and tenderness.
- Baking Powder: 2½ teaspoons – helps the cake rise beautifully.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon – balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (softened) – adds richness and moisture.
- Granulated Sugar: 1¾ cups – sweetens and helps with texture.
- Eggs: 4 large – bind ingredients and give the cake lift.
- Lemon Zest: 1 tablespoon – infuses the batter with citrus aroma.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: ¼ cup – adds tangy brightness.
- Buttermilk: 1 cup – keeps the crumb tender.
- Fresh Strawberries (diced): 1½ cups – for bursts of sweetness.
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz (softened) – creates a rich frosting base.
- Unsalted Butter (for frosting): ½ cup – adds creaminess.
- Powdered Sugar: 3 cups – thickens and sweetens the frosting.
- Strawberry Puree: ¼ cup – gives fruity flavor and color.
- Lemon Juice (for frosting): 1 tablespoon – ties flavors together.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 8-inch pans with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar, add eggs, lemon zest, and juice. Alternate adding dry mix and buttermilk, then fold in strawberries.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Divide batter evenly between pans and smooth the tops.
- Assemble the Dish: Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cook to Perfection: Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes, then on racks until completely cool.
- Finishing Touches: Beat cream cheese and butter, add powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice. Frost between layers and all over cake.
- Serve and Enjoy: Chill slightly, slice, and garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon zest.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.
- Make sure cakes are cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Add a crumb coat before the final frosting layer for a smooth finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg