Are you craving a moist, flavorful cake that's surprisingly simple to make? Look no further! This Strawberry Vanilla Cake recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and experienced cooks alike. It's a delightful blend of sweet strawberries and fragrant vanilla, creating a dessert that's sure to impress your family and friends. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight treat or a special occasion celebration. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
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For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
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For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
Instructions:
Getting Started: Preparing the Batter
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. This simple step ensures your cake releases easily and prevents sticking.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry ingredient mixture is the foundation of a light and fluffy cake.
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but can be achieved with a good amount of elbow grease!
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Adding the eggs gradually helps incorporate them fully into the batter.
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In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk and sliced strawberries. Gently fold the buttermilk mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with the dry ingredients. Begin and end with the dry ingredients to avoid a heavy batter. Do not overmix.
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Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Baking the Cake: The Heart of the Recipe
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Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Always check for doneness at the minimum baking time to avoid overbaking.
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Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool slightly in the pans helps prevent breakage.
Making the Frosting: The Sweet Finish
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While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
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Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth.
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Stir in the milk and vanilla extract. The milk helps achieve the perfect consistency.
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Lastly, stir in the strawberry puree for a beautiful pink hue and delightful strawberry flavor.
Assembling the Cake: The Final Touches
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Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of frosting.
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Carefully place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake.
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Decorate as desired with fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings, or sprinkles.
Cooking Tips for a Perfect Cake:
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for optimal mixing and a lighter cake.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Check for doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to test for doneness. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
Variations:
- Lemon Strawberry Cake: Substitute lemon zest and lemon juice for the vanilla extract.
- Chocolate Strawberry Cake: Add 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
- Raspberry Vanilla Cake: Replace strawberries with raspberries.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 400-450
- Fat: Approximately 20-25g
- Sugar: Approximately 50-60g
This Strawberry Vanilla Cake is a delicious and satisfying dessert perfect for any occasion. Enjoy! It’s a simple, healthy, quick dinner dessert option, a great homemade cooking project, and one of the best recipes you'll find. This easy recipe is guaranteed to become a new family favorite among your delicious dishes.