Moist, fruity, and bursting with berry flavor, this truly is the Best Ever Strawberry Cake. Made with real strawberries and a strawberry-flavored gelatin boost, it’s the perfect pink dessert for birthdays, spring gatherings, or just a sweet weekend treat. Topped with a luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting, it’s a showstopper that tastes just as good as it looks.
If you’ve loved our Strawberry Shortcake or Classic Vanilla Layer Cake, this vibrant pink cake brings a fruity twist that will win over everyone at the table. Let’s bake up some berry goodness!
What is the Best Ever Strawberry Cake?
This strawberry cake combines a boxed white cake mix with strawberry gelatin and real strawberries for a deeply flavorful and ultra-moist dessert. It’s then layered and frosted with a rich strawberry cream cheese frosting that amplifies the berry flavor. As the saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach — and this pretty-in-pink cake makes a bold and delicious statement!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cake Recipe
Incredibly Moist: Thanks to pureed strawberries and oil, every bite is soft and tender.
Bold Strawberry Flavor: Strawberry gelatin and extract boost the natural berry flavor.
Perfect for Any Celebration: Pretty pink layers make this cake a standout centerpiece.
If you enjoyed our Lemon Raspberry Layer Cake, this one offers a sweet, summery variation that’s just as beautiful and delicious.
How to Make the Best Strawberry Cake
Quick Overview
This recipe uses a boxed cake mix for convenience, but adds plenty of fresh flavor from real strawberries and a homemade frosting that takes it to the next level.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 (18.25 oz) box white cake mix
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
- 1 (15 oz) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10 oz) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- 1/2 tsp strawberry extract
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh sliced strawberries
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix and strawberry gelatin. Add the pureed strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy. Mix in 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread frosting between the cake layers and over the top and sides. Garnish with fresh sliced strawberries if desired.
What to Serve with Strawberry Cake
- Fresh fruit salad
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- A cup of tea or berry-flavored iced tea
- Sparkling rosé or champagne for special occasions
Top Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cake
- Don’t Skip the Gelatin: It boosts both color and flavor for that signature strawberry cake punch.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Helps everything blend more smoothly.
- Customize the Frosting: Adjust the puree or sugar for a thicker or softer frosting consistency.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost when ready.
- Reheating: Best enjoyed cold or at room temperature — no reheating needed.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?
Yes, just macerate them with a bit of sugar and puree.
Can I use a different frosting?
Sure! A vanilla buttercream or whipped cream frosting would also be delicious.
Can I make cupcakes with this recipe?
Yes, just adjust the baking time to 15–18 minutes.
Is the frosting sweet?
Yes, but you can reduce the powdered sugar slightly if desired.
Conclusion
This Best Ever Strawberry Cake is a dessert dream come true — moist, sweet, and bursting with berry flavor. With its creamy frosting and beautiful color, it’s sure to impress at any gathering. Try it once, and it’s bound to become your go-to strawberry dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 (18.25 oz) box white cake mix
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
- 1 (15 oz) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10 oz) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- 1/2 tsp strawberry extract
- 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Optional Garnish: Fresh sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, combine white cake mix and strawberry gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until creamy. Mix in 1/4 cup of strawberry puree and strawberry extract. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and beat until fluffy.
- Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.
Notes
To use fresh strawberries, macerate with a little sugar and puree before adding. This cake is best served chilled and keeps well for up to 4 days in the fridge.