Rediscovering the True Taste of Strawberries
As a dedicated pastry chef, my mission has always been to highlight the authentic flavors of natural ingredients. When I set out to create a strawberry cake, I knew I didn’t want to rely on artificial flavorings or box mixes. I wanted to capture the taste of fresh, juicy strawberries in every bite. My goal was to make a cake that is light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor.
Strawberry cakes are notoriously difficult to get right. You often end up with a dull cake with bits of strawberries or, worse, a soggy mess from too much moisture in fresh berries. I wanted to avoid these pitfalls.
After many trials, I finally found a method to highlight the strong flavor of strawberries while maintaining the perfect cake texture.
Why This Recipe is Different
What sets my recipe apart is the balance. I designed this cake to have a strong strawberry flavor using real fruit while keeping the cake light and airy. No more dense, heavy layers or artificial aftertastes. This cake celebrates the natural beauty of strawberries.
Here’s how I achieve it:
- No artificial flavors: Only real strawberries are used in both the cake and the frosting. You won’t find any fake strawberry essence here.
- Strawberry reduction for maximum flavor: By reducing fresh strawberry purée on the stove, I concentrate the fruit’s essence into a thick, rich purée. This allows for maximum flavor without excess liquid that can ruin the cake’s texture.
- Freeze-dried strawberries for the frosting: Instead of battling with fresh strawberries that add too much moisture to the frosting, I use freeze-dried strawberries ground into a fine powder. This method gives the frosting a rich, intense strawberry flavor with the perfect creamy texture.
The Magic of Reduction
Fresh strawberries are delicious, but their high water content can be tricky when baking. In my recipe, I start by blending fresh strawberries into a smooth purée. But the real trick lies in reducing that purée over low heat, concentrating the flavor while removing excess moisture.
This technique is similar to how chefs intensify flavors in sauces, and it works beautifully in cake batter. By the end, you’re left with a thick, flavorful strawberry concentrate that gives your cake a bold, natural strawberry taste.
Why I Use Freeze-Dried Strawberries for the Frosting
Incorporating fresh strawberries into frosting might sound appealing, but trust me—it’s a disaster waiting to happen. The moisture in fresh strawberries causes frosting to separate, resulting in a soupy mess.
Instead, I use freeze-dried strawberries. They are a baker’s secret weapon, delivering intense fruit flavor without the water content. Grinding freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder creates a vibrant, flavorful frosting that complements the cake perfectly.
A Cake for Strawberry Purists
This recipe is ideal for anyone who loves the taste of real, fresh strawberries. This cake is perfect for special occasions or when you want to enjoy a dessert featuring delicious seasonal fruit. It’s light, flavorful, and made entirely from scratch. No box mixes, no shortcuts—just the true, natural taste of strawberries in every layer.
Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
Reduced Strawberry Purée
- 450 g fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled
Cake
- 2 ½ Cup (285 g) cake flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 170 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 350 g granulated sugar
- 5 large egg whites, at room temperature
- 75 g sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 120 ml whole milk, at room temperature
- ½ cup reduced strawberry purée (see step 1)
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries (about 25 g)
- 220 g full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 110 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 360 g confectioners’ sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Make the Reduced Strawberry Purée:
- Purée: Blend 1 pound of rinsed and hulled strawberries until smooth. You should have just over 1 cup of purée
- Reduce: Simmer the purée in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to ½ cup (about 135 g). This process takes about 25 to 35 minutes, or longer if the strawberries are very juicy.
- Cool: Allow the purée to cool completely before using in the cake batter. It can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before adding it to the batter.
2. Make the Cake:
- Prepare the Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line them with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper to ensure the cakes release smoothly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Egg Whites: Add the egg whites one at a time, beating on high speed until well combined (about 2 minutes).
- Add Sour Cream and Vanilla: Mix in the sour cream (or yogurt) and vanilla extract until combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Add Strawberry Purée: Gently fold in ½ cup of the cooled reduced strawberry purée. If desired, add 1-2 drops of pink or red food coloring to enhance the color. Mix just until incorporated.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for about 24 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans on a wire rack.
3. Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Make Strawberry Powder: Grind the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. You should have about ½ cup of strawberry powder.
- Cream Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on high speed for 1 minute until smooth and creamy.
- Add Butter: Add the butter and beat until well combined.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the confectioners’ sugar, strawberry powder, 1 tablespoon of milk, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with an extra tablespoon of milk if needed. Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired.
4. Assemble and Frost the Cake:
- Level the Cakes: Use a serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface.
- Assemble: Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread an even layer of frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- Chill: Refrigerate the cake for at least 45 minutes before slicing to help it hold its shape.
Notes
For those who appreciate the art of baking, this cake method shares similarities with how we achieve rich flavors in our Chocolate Cake recipe.
