Fresh Strawberry Layer Cake

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cakes cupcakes Vanilla: Extract Medium

A pink two-layer cake with cooked-down strawberry puree in the batter and the buttercream. The flavor comes from real fruit rather than flavoring or dye. Makes 12 slices in about 2 hr 20 min.

Prep 50 min

Cook 30 min

Cooling 1 hr

Total 2 hr 20 min

Yield 12 slices

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

1 lb (500 g)strawberries, hulled and chopped, to cook down
2 ⅓ cups (300 g)all-purpose flour
2 ½ tspbaking powder
½ tspsalt, for the cake
¾ cup (170 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the cake
1 ¼ cups (250 g)granulated sugar
3 (150 g)eggs, large
2 tspvanilla extract, for the cake
½ cup (120 ml)whole milk
1 cup (225 g)unsalted butter, softened, for the frosting
3 ¾ cups (450 g)powdered sugar
1 tspvanilla extract, for the frosting
1 pinchsalt, for the frosting

Fresh ingredient guides

StrawberriesHow to pick, season & nutrition · 49 kcal per 152 g

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Instructions

Simmer the strawberries in a saucepan over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, mashing, until reduced to about 200 ml of thick puree. Cool completely; measure out 100 ml for the cake and 60 ml for the frosting.
Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and line two 8-inch (20 cm) pans.
Whisk flour, baking powder and salt.
Beat butter and sugar 4 minutes until pale, then beat in eggs one at a time and the vanilla.
Add the flour in three parts, alternating with milk and 100 ml of puree, mixing just until smooth.
Divide the batter between the pans and bake 28 to 33 minutes until the tops spring back. Cool 10 minutes, unmold and cool completely.
Beat the frosting butter 3 minutes, add powdered sugar, vanilla and salt, then beat in 60 ml puree until fluffy.
Fill and frost the cake.

Tips

Cooking the berries down concentrates flavor and keeps the batter from getting wet.
Add more puree to the frosting a teaspoon at a time; too much makes it loose.
Chill the frosted cake 20 minutes for neat slices.
Good with hot tea.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make fresh strawberry layer cake?

Plan on 50 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, plus 1 hour to chill. The recipe makes 12 slices.

How should I store fresh strawberry layer cake?

Refrigerate covered up to 4 days; serve at room temperature.

Can I make fresh strawberry layer cake ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 2 tsp vanilla extract, for the cake. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Serve it with hot tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

546 Calories / serving

19.3g Fat

89.6g Carbs

5.5g Protein

65.5g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~6552 cal · 232g fat · 1075g carbs · 66g protein · 786g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.