Dreamy Strawberry Layered Cake Recipe – Sweet Success

Sweet summer memories burst to life with this strawberry delight layered cake that promises pure indulgence.

Soft, pillowy cake layers dance with luscious strawberry cream, creating a dessert that’s both elegant and irresistible.

Each slice showcases a perfect balance of tender sponge and vibrant fruit flavors.

Fresh strawberries add a burst of natural sweetness to every delightful bite.

Delicate and light, this cake transforms an ordinary dessert into a spectacular centerpiece.

The combination of rich cream and juicy berries ensures a mouthwatering experience you won’t soon forget.

Dive into this delectable treat and savor a slice of pure bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Calories: 433 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Layered Cake

• Strawberry Cake Mix: Vibrant base with rich berry essence, choose a mix with natural strawberry flavor for best results.
• Vanilla Cake Mix: Classic complement providing balanced sweetness, select a premium mix for smooth texture.
• Eggs: Crucial binding agent that ensures structural integrity and tender crumb.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps cake mixes blend seamlessly.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers luxurious, tangy foundation, opt for full-fat version for creamiest texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cheesecake filling, use fine-grain for smooth incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile, choose pure extract for most authentic taste.
• Sour Cream: Provides rich tanginess and incredible moisture, select full-fat variety.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky smooth consistency, ensure it's fresh and cold.
• Eggs: Binds cheesecake mixture and provides structure.

• Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Intensifies strawberry flavor with crisp texture, select bright red, evenly dried pieces.
• Cookies: Adds delightful crunch and subtle sweetness, graham or vanilla wafers work best.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind crunch topping and adds rich flavor, use room temperature.
• Fresh Strawberries: Optional garnish that brings beautiful visual appeal and fresh fruity note.

Baking Tools for Strawberry Layered Cake

• Cake Pans: Two 9-inch round pans for baking cake layers.
• Springform Pan: 9-inch pan with removable sides for creating cheesecake layer.
• Food Processor: Perfect for crushing cookies and freeze-dried strawberries.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for preparing cake mixes and cheesecake filling.
• Electric Mixer: Helps cream cheese and blend ingredients smoothly.
• Toothpicks: Useful for checking cake doneness.
• Serving Plate: Needed for assembling and presenting the final cake.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for spreading frosting and scraping bowls.

Making Strawberry Layered Cake with Ease

• Cake Foundation

Warm your kitchen and prepare two round baking pans. Mix strawberry and vanilla cake batters separately, then gently pour into pans. Bake until perfectly golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely on a wire rack.

• Creamy Cheesecake Core

Lower oven temperature for a silky cheesecake layer. Blend cream cheese with sugar until luxuriously smooth. Incorporate eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and heavy cream. Pour into a springform pan and bake until delicately set. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.

• Fruity Crunchy Topping

Pulverize freeze-dried strawberries and cookies into fine crumbs. Drizzle melted butter and mix until the texture resembles damp sand. Set aside for cake decoration.

• Elegant Cake Construction

Stack cake layers with delicate frosting between each section. Create a smooth exterior by covering the entire cake with remaining frosting. Ensure a clean, professional appearance.

• Textural Finale

Gently press strawberry crunch mixture along cake sides and top. Scatter fresh strawberries for a gorgeous presentation.

• Serving Perfection

Refrigerate cake to allow flavors to meld and texture to set. Slice and serve chilled for maximum enjoyment.

Tips to Elevate Strawberry Layered Cake

• Baking Magic Tricks: Strawberry Delight Layered Cake Secrets
• Moisture Master: Keep cake layers ultra-moist by brushing each with simple syrup before assembling, which adds extra flavor and prevents dryness.
• Temperature Technique: Always allow cake layers and cheesecake to cool completely before stacking to prevent structural collapse and maintain clean layer edges.
• Crunch Enhancement: Toast the cookie crumbs briefly in a skillet before mixing with strawberry powder to develop deeper, richer flavor notes and create a more complex topping texture.
• Decoration Brilliance: Create elegant cake sides by using a bench scraper for smooth frosting application, ensuring professional-looking presentation with minimal effort.
• Storage Strategy: This decadent cake stays fresh up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing you to prepare ahead for special gatherings.

Ways to Serve Strawberry Layered Cake

• Festive Party Centerpiece: Showcase this stunning cake at birthday parties or summer gatherings, where its vibrant layers and strawberry crunch will become the talk of the celebration.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Serve individual slices on decorative white plates with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a fresh strawberry garnish for a sophisticated presentation.
• Pairing Perfection: Complement the cake's sweet profile with a chilled glass of rosé wine or a refreshing strawberry mojito, creating a delightful dessert experience that tantalizes the taste buds.
• Sweet Brunch Finale: Offer this decadent cake as a show-stopping dessert during weekend brunches, allowing guests to indulge in a luxurious treat that bridges breakfast and dessert elegantly.

Storing Strawberry Layered Cake the Right Way

• Cake Care Strategies
• Refrigeration Routine: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Freezing Finesse: Slice the cake and wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and cheesecake up to 2 days in advance. Keep separately wrapped in the refrigerator, assembling just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and crunch.
• Serving Suggestion Secrets: Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. This allows flavors to develop and creates a more enjoyable eating experience with smoother, creamier texture.

Heavenly Strawberry Layered Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Marie’s strawberry delight layered cake combines fresh berries with delicate sponge layers, creating a dessert that embodies summer’s sweet essence. Guests will savor each delightful bite of this classic celebration centerpiece.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box strawberry cake mix
• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
• 1 cup vanilla wafer cookies or golden Oreos, crushed
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line cake pans with parchment paper for seamless cake extraction.
2. Batter Creation: Craft strawberry and vanilla cake batters with precision, avoiding overmixing to maintain delicate texture. Distribute batters evenly across prepared pans.
3. Initial Baking: Bake cake layers until testing skewer emerges clean, roughly 25-30 minutes. Transfer to wire racks for complete cooling, preserving moisture balance.
4. Cheesecake Foundation: Reduce oven temperature. Prepare springform pan with protective parchment. Meticulously blend cream cheese mixture, integrating eggs individually to ensure silky, lump-free consistency.
5. Cheesecake Execution: Pour batter into pan, baking until center exhibits subtle wobble. Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for minimum four hours to achieve ideal firmness.
6. Crunch Layer Preparation: Pulverize freeze-dried strawberries and cookies in food processor, creating fine, uniform crumb. Incorporate melted butter for complete moistening.
7. Cake Assembly: Layer strawberry cake first, applying delicate frosting between components. Position cheesecake layer with structural precision, then complete with vanilla layer.
8. Final Decoration: Enrobe entire cake with remaining frosting. Generously coat sides and top with strawberry crunch mixture, pressing gently for optimal adherence.
9. Presentation: Refrigerate assembled cake for minimum two hours to solidify layers and enhance flavor integration. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired. Serve chilled, revealing stunning layered composition.

Notes

• Prevent Cake Collapse: Ensure thorough cooling of each layer to room temperature before assembly, preventing structural instability and maintaining clean, distinct layers.
• Smooth Cheesecake Technique: Add eggs one at a time during mixing, gently incorporating to avoid air bubbles and achieve a silky, crack-free cheesecake texture.
• Crumb Coating Trick: Create a thin initial frosting layer and chill briefly before final frosting, locking in crumbs and producing a cleaner, more professional cake appearance.
• Strawberry Intensity Boost: Select high-quality freeze-dried strawberries for maximum flavor concentration and vibrant color in the crunch topping and overall cake profile.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 433
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 293 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 98 mg