Perfect Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe

Okay, Mama Tribe!

Okay, mama tribe, let’s chat about a dessert that screams summer and smiles: Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe! This isn’t your grandma’s fussy cake – this is the kind of treat you can whip up even when the kids are “helping” (read: making a delightful mess). We’re talking about a slice of sunshine, a sweet escape from the everyday chaos, and a dessert that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

You know how it is: the 5 PM panic sets in, the kids are hangry, and you’re staring blankly into the fridge. But what if I told you that this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe could be your secret weapon? It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s totally adaptable to whatever you have on hand. Because let’s be real, we’re moms, not miracle workers!

The other day, little Timmy looked at me with his big blue eyes and said, “Mommy, can we have strawberry cake like Nana makes?” My heart melted, but my brain went into overdrive. Nana’s strawberry cake involves, like, ten different steps and ingredients I’ve never even heard of. So, I did what any resourceful mom would do: I created a Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe that captures the essence of Nana’s version but is about a million times easier.

This Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe has become a family favorite. It’s the perfect dessert for birthdays, potlucks, or just a Tuesday night when you need a little something sweet. It’s become my go to summer strawberry cake!

It fits perfectly into our beautiful chaos. It’s not about perfection; it’s about making memories. This Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe is about those moments when you’re all gathered around the table, laughing and enjoying something delicious together.

Fellow kitchen warriors, are you ready to ditch the stress and embrace the sweetness? Let’s get baking! I promise you, this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe will become a staple in your house, too.

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

Here’s the lowdown on what you’ll need for this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe. Don’t worry, it’s nothing too complicated! And remember, this is a judgment-free zone – substitutions are totally allowed.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of our cake!
• 1 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness.
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder: To give our cake some lift.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors.
• 1 cup milk: Adds moisture to the cake.
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted: Makes the cake tender and rich.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that classic vanilla flavor.
• 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced: The star of the show!
• 1 cup heavy cream: For the whipped cream topping.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar: To sweeten the whipped cream.

Trust me, this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe ingredient list is SHORT because mama doesn’t have time for fancy!

No worries if you don’t have heavy cream – I use whipped topping all the time in my Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe. The kids never know the difference, and it saves me a step. Plus, you can grab everything for this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe at Target while doing your regular grocery run. Sanity saved!

This Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe doesn’t have to break the bank. Frozen strawberries work just fine if fresh ones aren’t in season or are too expensive. Just thaw them and drain off the excess juice before using. My family loves when I add extra vanilla to the cake batter. It gives it a little something special.

Here’s a Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe trick that saved my sanity: pre-slice the strawberries the night before. That way, they’re ready to go when you’re ready to bake. Easy peasy! You can store your leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days (if it lasts that long!).

Let’s Make it Happen!

Alright, kitchen warriors, let’s get down to business! Here’s how to bring this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe to life. I’ve broken it down into easy-to-follow steps, so even if you’re a beginner baker, you’ve got this!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. (Or, if you’re like me and can never find the flour, use baking spray!)
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This is also a good step for the kids to “help” with!
3. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are okay. Here’s where I used to mess up my Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe – don’t make my mistake!
4. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Perfect time to fold that laundry pile!
7. While the cake is cooling, prepare the whipped cream. In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
8. Once the cake is completely cooled, slice it in half horizontally.
9. Spread half of the whipped cream over the bottom layer of the cake.
10. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the whipped cream. Your Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe should smell amazing by now!
11. Top with the other half of the cake and spread the remaining whipped cream over the top.
12. Garnish with extra strawberries, if desired. Don’t panic if your Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe looks a little messy. It’s homemade, after all!
13. Slice and serve immediately. While your Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe is doing its thing, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee!

In my chaotic kitchen, this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe usually takes about an hour from start to finish, but that includes toddler distractions and spontaneous dance parties. This Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe is adaptable to your schedule. You can even bake the cake one day and assemble it the next!

Here’s a mom hack for this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe: use a serrated knife to slice the cake layers. It makes it so much easier and prevents the cake from crumbling. Another time-saver is to buy pre-made whipped cream. I won’t tell anyone! The most important step for this fresh strawberry cake recipe is that the cake layers are completely cooled before applying the whipped cream and berries.

How We Love to Eat This!

Okay, so you’ve got this amazing Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe ready to go. Now, what’s the best way to enjoy it? Here’s how my family devours this delicious treat!

The kids devour this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe when I serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect combination of warm cake, sweet strawberries, and cold ice cream. Total win! This Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe is perfect for those crazy weeknight dinners when you need a quick and easy dessert to brighten everyone’s day.

We also love making this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe for summer barbecues and potlucks. It’s always a hit, and it’s so easy to transport. Plus, it looks so pretty on a dessert table! You can even get creative with the presentation. I like to arrange the strawberry slices in a fancy pattern on top of the cake.

For leftover ideas, you can crumble the cake and mix it with yogurt and granola for a delicious breakfast parfait. Or, you can freeze the leftover slices for a quick and easy treat later on. This summer strawberry cake is fantastic for any party or event! I often get asked for this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe when I bring it to parties!

We’ve also tried seasonal variations of this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe. In the fall, we add a little cinnamon to the cake batter and use apples instead of strawberries. In the winter, we add a little orange zest to the cake batter and use cranberries instead of strawberries.

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake is truly perfect for any occasion. My friend Sarah raved about how delicious and easy it was to make when I brought it to her birthday party!

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

I know you’ve got questions, mama! So, I’ve rounded up some of the most common questions I get about this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe and answered them like I’m chatting with you over a cup of coffee.

Can my picky eater handle this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! The sweetness of the strawberries and the creaminess of the whipped cream are usually a hit with picky eaters. You can also let them help you assemble the cake, which might make them more likely to try it.

What if I burn my Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!)

Okay, we’ve all been there! If the cake is only slightly burned, you can try trimming off the burned edges with a serrated knife. If it’s too burned to salvage, don’t beat yourself up! Just order a pizza and call it a night. Tomorrow is a new day. You can also try this easy strawberry cake recipe.

Can I make this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe ahead for meal prep?

Yes, you can bake the cake layers ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also slice the strawberries ahead of time and store them in the fridge. However, I recommend waiting to assemble the cake until just before serving, as the whipped cream can get soggy if it sits for too long.

Can I use a different type of fruit in this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe?

Of course! Blueberries, raspberries, and peaches all work well. You can even use a combination of fruits. A fresh strawberry cake recipe, with your favorite fruit twist, makes it even more delicious!

Can I make this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour for the regular flour in this recipe. Just be sure to use a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum.

Can I make this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe vegan?

Yes, you can substitute plant-based milk for the regular milk, vegan butter for the butter, and vegan whipped cream for the regular whipped cream. If you’re using vegan butter, make sure that it does not contain oil!

What’s the best way to store leftover Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe?

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Final Thoughts:

This Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe is more than just a dessert to our family. It’s a symbol of summer, of laughter, and of those sweet moments we share together. It reminds me of another family favorite, my Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Mommy Made Meals. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your family as it has to ours. This is my go to for a homemade strawberry shortcake cake!

My Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe Mom Hacks:

• Pre-slice the strawberries the night before to save time on the day of.
• Use store-bought whipped cream if you’re short on time.
• Let the kids help with the assembly – it’s a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen.

Here are a few family-tested variations of this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe:

• Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the cake batter for a chocolatey twist.
• Lemon Strawberry Shortcake: Add the zest of one lemon to the cake batter for a bright, citrusy flavor.
• Almond Strawberry Shortcake: Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the cake batter for a nutty flavor.

Little Timmy loves the chocolate version, while my husband prefers the lemon version. Me? I’m happy with any version as long as there’s cake involved!

Remember, this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe is just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to make it your own. For more sanity-saving dinner ideas, check out my Pumpkin Spice Cake Roll – Mommy Made Meals.

I hope you and your family enjoy this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe as much as we do. It’s a simple, delicious, and totally adaptable dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. This strawberry shortcake layer cake is an easy summer dessert!

So, go ahead, kitchen warriors, and give this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe a try. I have faith in you! And if you mess up, don’t worry. Just dust yourself off, try again, and remember that the most important ingredient is love. For a delightful twist to your dessert repertoire, why not explore the decadent Cinnamon Roll Honeybun Cheesecake – Mommy Made Meals? This recipe promises a delightful experience, much like the charm of Strawberry Shortcake Cake – Celebrating Sweets.

The perfect addition to your recipe collection is a Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe, and I hope yours turns out amazing! You can find other examples of this recipe at Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe and Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake Recipe – Sugar & Sparrow.

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