A fluffy vanilla sponge cake filled with layers of whipped cream frosting and juicy strawberries. The classic flavors of strawberry shortcake in a rustic, yet elegant layer cake.
What tastes like a strawberry shortcake, looks like a beautiful layer cake, and is sure to impress anyone and everyone you serve it to?
Answer: STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CAKE!
If you’ve been around these parts for a while you know that I absolutely love baking with strawberries (I kinda like drinking ’em, too). During spring and summer, there are always strawberries in our kitchen. They are my favorite fruit to bake with, and they go well in so many recipes.
I’ve had a Strawberry Shortcake Cake on my summer “to-bake” list for years. My goal was to come up with a cake that had all the flavors of strawberry shortcake stacked high in a gorgeous layer cake.
My main criteria were that the recipe needed to be fairly easy, completely from scratch, and it needed to taste AMAZING (duh). I fully expected to have to play around with this recipe multiple times until I got it right, but, somehow this came out perfect – just the way I wanted it – on the first try.
Strawberry Shortcake Cake
- Vanilla Cake: I made three layers of a fluffy (almost sponge-like) vanilla cake. The cake layers are light, yet sturdy enough to hold our filling and topping. If you’d prefer a two layer cake, you can bake the cake in two pans, rather than three. Your layers will be slightly thicker than mine.
- Stabilized Whipped Cream Frosting: Strawberry shortcake has to have whipped cream (and not the kind in a can or that questionable whipped topping in a tub). This is the real deal – freshly whipped cream, lightly sweetened with powdered sugar, and flavored with a touch of vanilla. In order to keep our whipped cream firm, I also add cream cheese to it. This stabilizes the cream and helps it hold its shape. You will have enough frosting to frost the sides of your layer cake, if you desire. I like the rustic look of leaving the sides exposed.
- Strawberries: Find the best strawberries you can and toss them with some strawberry jam (this makes them glossy and sweet). Strawberries go in between our cake layers, as well as on top of the cake. You can decorate the top of the cake however you like: I used a combination of diced strawberries and whole strawberries. I used thinly sliced strawberries for layering in between the cake (see below).
What I love about this cake is its versatility. It’s pretty enough to be served at a dinner party, yet casual enough to be part of a summer BBQ. If you know someone with a summer birthday, this cake would be extra pretty studded with candles and served to your loved ones. However/whenever you choose to make it – just make it! Grab those beautiful summer strawberries before they are gone.
- More STRAWBERRY RECIPES:
- Strawberry Cupcakes
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
- Strawberry Orange Margaritas
- Strawberry Jam
- Strawberry Crisp
NEVER MISS A RECIPE!
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**RECIPE UPDATE SEPT 2018 – After a couple comments about the cake coming out too thin I made a few tweaks to the recipe to make the layers thicker, and a bit more forgiving. Each layer should come out to about 1-inch high when baked. I still kept the layers fairly thin to allow for easy stacking and filling.**
Strawberry Shortcake Cake
A fluffy vanilla sponge cake filled with layers of whipped cream frosting and juicy strawberries. The classic flavors of strawberry shortcake in a rustic, yet elegant layer cake.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk preferably whole or 2%
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract optional, but highly recommended
- 4 large eggs
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
Filling and Topping:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream chilled
- 3 cups sliced or diced strawberries divided
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
- additional fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottoms of three 8-inch round cake pans with a circle of parchment paper, and spray the pans with nonstick spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together.
In a small saucepan, bring the milk and butter to a boil. Once boiling, immediately remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract and almond extract.
In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until pale yellow, fluffy, and doubled in volume. This takes about 5 minutes - do not skip this step, this helps to make the cake fluffy. While still beating, slowly drizzle in the hot milk mixture. Beat in the flour mixture.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans (I use a generous 2 cups of batter per pan). Bake for 14-18 minutes, or until the edges are light golden, the center springs back when lightly pressed, and a cake tester comes out clean. I recommend rotating the baking pans at least once during cook time. Set the pans on a rack to cool. Run the tip of a sharp knife around the edges of the cakes to loosen them, and turn them out of the pans (the layers will be fairly thin, about 1-inch high).
Filling and topping:
Combine the strawberries and jam and set aside (these will be used for the filling and topping).
Note: I sliced the strawberries for the filling (about 2 1/2 cups), and I diced the strawberries for the top of the cake (about 1/2 cup). Do both, or one or the other - your choice. You'll need about 3 cups total.
For the whipped cream frosting: Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream down the side of the bowl. Stop and scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl periodically. Increase the speed and continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak.
Assembly: Place one layer of cake on a platter. Top with whipped cream frosting, then top with about 1 1/4 cups of sliced/diced strawberries. Place another layer of cake on top and repeat. For the third/top of layer of cake, top with whipped cream frosting, then place the remaining diced/sliced strawberries in the center. Decorate the outside with whole strawberries, if desired. I like to store this cake in the fridge to keep the frosting stable.
Recipe Notes
Note: There will be enough whipped cream frosting to coat the sides of the cake, if you desire. I chose to leave the sides exposed. Any extra whipped cream frosting makes a great dip for fruit.
Cake adapted from Food Network
**RECIPE UPDATE SEPT 2018 - After a couple comments about the cake coming out too thin I made a few tweaks to the recipe to make the layers thicker, and a bit more forgiving. Each layer should come out to about 1-inch high when baked. I still kept the layers fairly thin to allow for easy stacking and filling.**
This is one of my favorite desserts!! Love how you layered it!
I love strawberry shortcake! It’s one of my top favorite cakes in the world! Your strawberry shortcake looks and sounds absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Oh my this has my mouth watering. That cake looks so moist and delicious and just an absolute slice of heaven!
This looks so perfect for summer, stunning!
Beautiful. I mean, seriously. I won’t be making this, cause I just don’t bake. If you saw my recent pots de creme post, you know I stay away from desserts!!!
First, those strawberries look PERFECT. Second, you break this down so well.. I’m by no means a baker but you make this seem like something I can actually make lol. I’ll definitely be pinning this to try later!
Oh my gosh! My birthday is this weekend and I am totally having this instead of a birthday cake. It looks AMAZING and your pictures are stunning.
This makes me wish I was someone who could bake. I’m the worst. But this looks so light and fluffy. Perfection!
Omg this strawberry short cake looks delicious, my mouth is watering while reading this recipe, I will definitely be saving and trying!
~xo Sheree
poshclassymom.com
my kids will love this
This cake looks so delicious. I know my family would love this.
It almost looks too pretty to eat! I love strawberries and I enjoy a good Strawberry Shortcake! 🙂 This looks amazing!
I need to make this one for my husband. He really loves treats with strawberries in them.
That is one awesome dessert! I have never ever seen anything like this before; looks delicious!
I’ve been craving strawberry shortcake and this looks like a super upgraded verison. Love the cream cheese in this!
This is not only beautiful but looks DELICIOUS. I wish I could make it right now.. Pinning for later!
I made it and it came out flat! Are you sure you get 3 layers from this one recipe? ? What am I doing wrong?
Yes, it makes three thin layers (as pictured). Are you sure you used 8-inch pans? 9-inch pans would be too big and would make the layers too thin.
I made it exactly as the recipe says in 8 inch pans and it’s only 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Something must be wrong.
Hi, Allyson. Did you make any substitutions? Most importantly, did you use CAKE flour? I’m retesting this recipe to figure out what went wrong.
Mine too… 1/4 inch layers from 8 inch pans. It looked and tasted delicious though!!
Hi, Teri. Did you make any substitutions? Most importantly, did you use CAKE flour? I’m retesting this recipe to figure out what went wrong.
Look so good. Will be making it for my husband’s birthday this weekend. But a quick question: is cake flour the same as all purpose flour?
Hi, Joanne. No, it is not the same. Cake flour is finer, and it creates a more tender, delicate crumb. I highly recommend it for this recipe. If you can’t get cake flour, here is a substitute. Enjoy!
https://www.thekitchn.com/the-easy-way-to-make-cake-flour-substitute-baking-tips-from-the-kitchn-44521
Is this a cake that has to be refrigerated after making it?
Looks delicious and I will be making it for my brothers upcoming birthday!
Thank you for the recipe!
Good question – Yes, I would recommend refrigerating it. I’m going to update the recipe with that note. Enjoy!
Made it this past Sunday and everyone loved it. Thanks so much posting the recipe!!!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
I just baked the cake. Can I frost it the day before serving it?
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, you can, although I think it is best if it consumed within 24 hours.
Is there any way to make it in a 9 inch pan
You won’t get three layers if you use 9-inch pans, but you should be able to get two layers. Just split the batter in half and use two 9-inch pans.