Old Fashioned Strawberry Layer Cake Recipes

STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans lined with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix and dry Jell-O mix. Add mashed (or diced) strawberries, eggs and oil. Use an electric mixer on low speed to combine for 30 seconds. Add the buttermilk, increase the speed to medium, and continue mixing for 2 more minutes.
• Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans. Tap the pans on the counter once or twice to release any big air bubbles.
• Bake the cakes for 27-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean.
• Cool the cakes in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth, about 3 more minutes. Add the strawberries and mix on low just until combined. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until ready to use.
• Using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard the extra cake.
• Place one cake layer on your cake stand or plate. Evenly cover the top with a layer of frosting. Top with the second cake layer and evenly cover the top with another layer of frosting. Top with the third cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. Refrigerate for at least one hour (or overnight) before slicing and serving.

HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Make the reduced strawberry puree and allow it to cool completely. See note. You can make it a few days ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator or cover and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw before using in the recipe.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch cake pans.
• Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamed, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the egg whites on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Then beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour in the milk *just* until combined. Do not overmix. Whisk in 1/2 cup of reduced strawberry puree, making sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick. Stir in food coloring, if desired. (I use 1 small drop.)
• Pour batter evenly into cake pans. Bake for around 24-25 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it is done. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
• Using a blender or food processor, process the freeze-dried strawberries into a powdery crumb. You should have around 1/2 cup crumbs. Set aside. In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Beat in the butter until combined. Add the confectioners' sugar, strawberry powder, 1 Tablespoon milk, and vanilla and beat on medium-high speed until combined and creamy. Add 1 more Tablespoon of milk to slightly thin out, if desired. Taste, then add a pinch of salt if needed. Yields about 3 cups of frosting.
• First, using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard (or crumble over ice cream!). Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake keep its shape when cutting- it could slightly fall apart without time in the fridge.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.

STRAWBERRY JAM CAKE

Steps:

• Grease and flour three 9-in. round baking pans; set aside. , In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the strawberries, sour cream and extract. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pans. , Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22-26 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, strawberries, extract and, if desired, food coloring; beat until smooth. , Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate; top with 1/2 cup jam and 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with strawberries if desired.

STRAWBERRY CAKE FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and dry strawberry gelatin until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter alternately with the milk. Blend in vanilla and strawberry puree. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a small knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in their pans over a wire rack for at least 10 minutes, before tapping out to cool completely.