Are you craving a delightful dessert that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! This recipe for vanilla cake with strawberry filling is the perfect answer. It's a delightful blend of fluffy vanilla cake and a burst of fresh strawberry sweetness, ideal for birthdays, afternoon tea, or simply a sweet treat to brighten your day. This recipe is perfect for those seeking easy recipes and quick dinner ideas – it's surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner bakers!
Ingredients:
For the Vanilla Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 16 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Buttercream Frosting (optional):
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Making the Vanilla Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is where a stand mixer really shines, but a hand mixer works perfectly well too!
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In a small bowl, gently whisk together the buttermilk.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Don't overmix!
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Strawberry Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to form a slurry.
- Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering strawberries. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the filling has thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Assembling the Cake:
- Once the cakes and filling are completely cool, level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife if necessary.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
- Spread half of the strawberry filling evenly over the first cake layer.
- Top with the second cake layer.
- Frost the entire cake with buttercream frosting (optional). If you skip the frosting, the cake is delicious on its own!
Making the Buttercream Frosting (Optional):
- Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and creamy. Add more powdered sugar if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use vanilla bean paste instead of extract in the cake batter.
- You can use other berries, such as raspberries or blueberries, for the filling.
- Add a pinch of almond extract to the cake batter for an almond-flavored cake.
- For a quicker dessert, use store-bought cake layers and focus on making the delicious homemade strawberry filling.
- Feel free to experiment with different frostings, such as chocolate frosting or cream cheese frosting.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the size of your cake and the frosting used. For a general estimate (without frosting), one slice may contain around 350-400 calories, 15-20g of fat, and 50-60g of carbohydrates. This is just an estimate and should be taken as a guide only.
This vanilla cake with strawberry filling is a perfect example of delicious dishes you can create at home. Enjoy your homemade masterpiece! It's the perfect dessert for any occasion, and it’s a recipe you'll want to keep coming back to. It’s a great addition to your collection of healthy meals and the best recipes you have.