Imagine a dessert that captures the essence of summer in every single bite - a cake so irresistibly moist, so vibrantly pink, and so bursting with fresh strawberry flavor that it will make your taste buds dance with pure joy! Aunt Dorothy's Strawberry Cake isn't just a recipe; it's a family treasure that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver a show-stopping dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- In a blender or food processor, puree the fresh strawberries until smooth. Measure out 2 cups of the pureed strawberries and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the pureed strawberries into the batter until evenly distributed. The batter should have a lovely pink hue from the strawberries.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Keep an eye on the cakes to avoid overbaking.
- Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes have cooled, you can frost them with your favorite frosting, such as cream cheese frosting or whipped cream, and layer the remaining fresh strawberries on top for decoration.
- Slice the cake and serve it to your guests, enjoying the delightful flavors of strawberry in every bite!
Tips
- Use the freshest strawberries possible for the most vibrant flavor and color.
- Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Don't overmix the batter - this can lead to a tough, dense cake.
- For extra strawberry intensity, reserve some fresh strawberry slices for topping.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator to maintain its moisture and freshness.
- For a professional touch, use a serrated knife to level your cake layers before frosting.
- Consider adding a thin layer of strawberry jam between cake layers for extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 85mg
