Fresh Vanilla Strawberry Cake
A vanilla strawberry cake is the perfect blend of elegance and flavor for warm seasons. This single layer vanilla cake boasts a light and fluffy texture, topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting and whipping cream frosting that complement the fresh sweet strawberries beautifully.
The perfectly moist and tender Vanilla strawberry Cake makes it an ideal choice for Mother’s Day or any celebration, while its refreshing flavors capture the essence of spring and summer. Serve this light and fresh dessert to impress at BBQs or casual gatherings—it’s sure to be an absolute favorite.
Why You Will Love This
Imagine the burst of flavor from fresh strawberries paired with the simplest desserts that delight every bite. This easy-to-make, single-layer cake requires minimal effort to whip up, whether you’re using a round, square, or rectangle pan. Topped with a silky blend of cream cheese and whipping cream, the light, tangy frosting perfectly balances the sweetness of vanilla and the natural juiciness of berries. Whether it’s a last-minute dessert or a planned treat, this Vanilla Strawberry Cake combination ensures a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Ingredient Notes
- Cake Flour: Essential for a lighter crumb, though all-purpose flour can also work.
- Butter & Oil: Combines the wonderful taste of butter with the added moisture from oil, ensuring a soft texture.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds a bold, star flavor, ideal when vanilla shines as the highlight of the dish.
- Sour Cream: Use full-fat for extra richness and to bring more moisture to the cake.
- Heavy Cream: Keep it cold, as room-temperature cream won’t whip properly.
- Strawberries: Opt for fresh berries, but thawed frozen strawberries work too—just drain and blot any extra moisture to maintain balance.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spray and line an 8 inch or 9 inch round or square baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream sugar and butter in a medium bowl with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat for a further two minutes after adding the eggs and oil.
Add oil and eggs, then beat again for another 2 minutes. Mix in vanilla and sour cream.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients, alternating with milk, in three parts, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Fill the prepared baking pan with batter. Bake for about 28-33 minutes, or until light golden brown around the edges, and a toothpick comes out clean from the middle. Set aside to cool.
How to Make Frosting
Steps for Perfect Frosting
- Step 1: In a small bowl, blend ½ cup powdered sugar with 4 oz cream cheese until completely smooth.
- Step 2: In a medium size bowl, whip heavy cream, vanilla, and ½ cup powdered sugar on high until you achieve stiff peaks.
- Step 3: Gently fold the two mixtures together until they are well blended.
- Step 4: Prepare cut strawberries and sweeten them with a touch of sugar, if needed. Spread the frosting over the cake and garnish with strawberries on top before serving Vanilla Strawberry Cake.
Expert Baking Tips
Expert Baking Tips
For the best results, make sure your cake is baked with room temperature ingredients like eggs, milk, cream cheese, and butter, which should be removed from the fridge about an hour or two before baking. If you prefer a thinner cake, use a 9×13 pan and bake for 22-26 minutes. You can also double the recipe, including the frosting, and bake it on a jelly roll or cookie sheet to serve a crowd. Blueberries, strawberries, and peaches are all excellent choices to top your Cake with, but make sure to wait until ready to serve Vanilla Strawberry Cakebefore adding the fruit and frosting for the best texture.   Â
Storing
To store a Vanilla Strawberry Cake, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for 3–5 days to keep it fresh. If freezing, wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the layers at room temperature before assembling or serving Vanilla Strawberry Cake.
Vanilla Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups cake flour all-purpose works too.
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon baking soda.
- ½ teaspoon salt for flavor balance.
- ¼ cup butter softened to room temperature.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar for sweetness.
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil for moisture.
- 2 large eggs also at room temperature.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract for a rich flavor.
- ⅓ cup sour cream and ½ cup milk both at room temperature.
Whip Cream Frosting
- ½ cup powdered sugar for sweetness.
- 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature.
- Another ½ cup powdered sugar for blending.
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream for the frosting’s fluffiness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract.
Fruit Topping
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries optionally mixed with sugar to enhance sweetness.
Instructions
Preparing the Cake
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking pan that is 8 or 9 inches round or square, and line it with parchment paper so that it can be easily removed.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until fully combined. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add oil and eggs to the mixture and beat for another 2 minutes. Incorporate vanilla and sour cream, mixing thoroughly.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk in three parts, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
- 6.  Pour the batter into the baking pan, makingsure to distribute it evenly.
- Bake for 28-33 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing it for frosting.
Making the Whipping Cream Frosting
- In a small bowl, blend ½ cup powdered sugar with 4 oz cream cheese until completely smooth.
- In a medium bowl, whip heavy cream, vanilla, and ½ cup powdered sugar on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Carefully fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream until it is well blended.
Preparing the Fruit Topping
- Cut strawberries and sprinkle with a little sugar if extra sweetness is needed.
Assembling the Cake
- Spread the whipping cream frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Gently place the prepared strawberries on top. Serve immediately for the freshest taste!