Indulge in the refreshing delight of Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake! This scrumptious recipe combines zesty lemon and sweet strawberries for a stunning dessert perfect for any occasion. Learn how to create this visually appealing cake with layers of fluffy goodness and a creamy frosting. Click to explore the full recipe and impress your family and friends with this delicious treat that bursts with flavor!
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Zest of 2 lemons
1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Frosting Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh strawberries and lemon slices for decoration
![To start, gather your dry ingredients. You will need: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt Mix these dry ingredients in a bowl. This helps to evenly distribute the baking powder and soda. Next, let's move to the wet ingredients. You will need: - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar - 1 cup buttermilk - 3 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Cream the butter and sugar together. This step adds air and gives the cake a nice texture. Then, add the eggs one by one, mixing well. Finally, stir in the vanilla and buttermilk. Now for the fun part—flavor enhancers! You will need: - Zest of 2 lemons - 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed - ¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed) The lemon zest and juice give your cake a bright, fresh flavor. Pureed strawberries add sweetness and moisture. Mix them in gently to keep the batter light and airy. This recipe combines these ingredients in a way that delivers a delicious Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake. For the full recipe, check the details above. - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. First, make sure your oven is hot enough to bake the cake. This helps the cake rise nicely. Greasing and flouring the pans will keep the cake from sticking. - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step is key to a good rise. It helps create a soft cake texture. - Cream butter and sugar. - Incorporate eggs and vanilla. - Mix wet and dry ingredients together. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. This should take about three minutes. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Then, stir in the vanilla. Now, alternate adding the dry mix and buttermilk. Start and end with the dry mix. - Fold in strawberry puree. - Bake and cool the cakes. Gently fold in the strawberry puree. This adds a vibrant flavor and color. Pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check with a toothpick; it should come out clean. Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for ten minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Beat butter and add powdered sugar and cream. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, adding heavy cream. Keep mixing until smooth. Finally, add the lemon juice and vanilla for extra flavor. - Layer and frost cake, and decorate. Once the cakes are cool, place one layer on a platter. Spread frosting on top, then add another layer. Repeat this step with the last layer. Frost the entire cake, and finish with fresh strawberries and lemon slices. For fun, you can drizzle the remaining strawberry puree over the top. For the full recipe, check the recipe section above. Enjoy your delicious Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake! To bake a perfect Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake, timing is key. Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. If not, add a few more minutes. Using room temperature ingredients is very important. Take your butter, eggs, and buttermilk out of the fridge ahead of time. This helps your batter mix well and rise nicely. Cold ingredients can make your cake dense. Smoothing frosting can be tricky, but I have some tips for you. Use a spatula or an offset knife. Dip it in hot water, then dry it off. This helps smooth the frosting easily. For the right frosting consistency, it should be thick but spreadable. If it's too thick, mix in a bit more heavy cream. If it's too runny, add more powdered sugar slowly until you reach the desired thickness. Garnishing with fresh fruit makes this cake pop! Use sliced strawberries and lemon wedges on top. You can also drizzle some strawberry puree around the plate for a fancy touch. For serving, consider cutting the cake into fun shapes. Try using cookie cutters to create star or heart shapes. This adds a playful twist to your dessert table! If you want to impress, serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream on the side. For the full recipe, check out the details above! {{image_2}} You can mix in other fruits to change the taste. Blueberries or raspberries add a fun twist. They bring a new flavor and color to the cake. Just make sure to mash them or puree them before adding. You can also try flavored frostings. Vanilla or cream cheese frosting pairs well with the cake. These flavors add depth and richness. You can make the frosting with less sugar for a lighter feel. If you need a gluten-free cake, you can swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. Make sure it works well for baking. This keeps the cake moist and tasty. For a lighter version, reduce the sugar by a cup. You can also use applesauce instead of butter. This change keeps the cake soft and adds a fruity note without extra calories. Want to switch things up? Combine this cake with other flavors, like chocolate or vanilla. Mixing different cakes gives a fun taste experience. You can try different frosting techniques, too. Use a spatula for smooth edges or a piping bag for a decorative look. Each method adds a unique touch to your cake. To store your Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake at room temperature, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. This keeps the cake moist and fresh. Place it in a cool, dry spot, away from direct sunlight. You can also use a cake dome for added protection. This method works well for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze your cake. To refrigerate, place the wrapped cake in the fridge. It stays fresh for about five days. For freezing, first slice the cake into pieces. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. This helps prevent freezer burn. To thaw, take a slice out and leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Serve it once it’s soft again. This delicious cake stays fresh for about five days at room temperature. If stored in the fridge, it lasts up to a week. When frozen, the cake can maintain its quality for up to three months. Just remember, the sooner you eat it, the better it will taste! For the full recipe, check out the details above and enjoy your treat! To make this cake from scratch, follow these steps: 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. 2. In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set this aside. 3. In a large bowl, cream together ½ cup of softened butter and 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar until fluffy. 4. Add 3 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Then mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and the zest of 2 lemons. 5. Gradually add the dry mix to the butter mix, alternating with 1 cup of buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mix. 6. Gently fold in 1 cup of pureed fresh strawberries and ¼ cup of lemon juice. 7. Pour the batter evenly into the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check with a toothpick; it should come out clean. 8. Cool the cakes in their pans for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool fully. Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Here are some tips: - Thaw the strawberries before using them. - Drain any excess juice to avoid adding too much liquid to the batter. - Blend them to a puree before folding into the cake mix. If you don’t have buttermilk, here are some alternatives: - Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes. - Use plain yogurt or sour cream, thinning with a little water to match buttermilk's consistency. - For every cup, use ¾ cup of yogurt or sour cream mixed with ¼ cup of water. To keep your cake moist, try these tips: - Don’t overmix the batter. Mix just until combined. - Bake at the right temperature and check for doneness early. - Use simple syrup on the layers to add moisture before frosting. Yes, you can prepare this cake ahead: - Bake the cakes a day in advance. Store them wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. - Frost the cake on the day you plan to serve it. This keeps the cake fresh and moist. - You can also freeze the unfrosted cakes for up to a month. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before frosting. For the full recipe, click [Full Recipe]. In this article, we explored the full process of making a delicious Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake. We discussed the essential dry and wet ingredients, flavor enhancers, and step-by-step instructions to create your cake. You learned helpful tips for perfecting your cake and ways to store it properly. Remember, baking is about fun and creativity. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and techniques, and share your tasty results with others! Your friends will surely love it.](https://toastedrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/9200d6e7-e925-47ae-be2e-bb7f5a6c8281-300x300.webp)