If you’re on the hunt for a dazzling dessert that bursts with bright, sunshiny flavors, look no further than this Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake. Each forkful is a delightful blend of tangy citrus and sweet, juicy strawberries cradled in soft, buttery cake and swirled with luscious fruit-forward frosting. Perfect for summer gatherings, birthdays, or simply because life calls for something extraordinary, this cake brings the nostalgic refreshment of strawberry lemonade to your dessert table with a festive twist!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to a flawless Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake lies in a handful of approachable ingredients. Each one plays a starring role, contributing everything from vibrant flavor and color to the dreamy, fluffy texture of every bite.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cake, ensuring a tender yet sturdy crumb.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leaveners guarantee your layers rise high and stay delightfully light.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and subtly sharpens lemon and strawberry notes.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Brings creamy richness and ensures an ultra-moist crumb and silky frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Enhances both the sweetness and the beautiful golden hue.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together while boosting volume and tenderness.
- Lemon zest & lemon juice: These add a lively citrusy zing—the heart of the lemonade flavor!
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavors with warm, comforting depth.
- Whole milk: Contributes richness, moistness, and a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Fresh strawberries (finely chopped, patted dry): Pop in natural sweetness and juicy berry bursts in every layer.
- Strawberry preserves: Bring a concentrated hit of real strawberry flavor right between your cake layers.
- Powdered sugar: Delivers a smooth, classic sweetness to the frosting.
- Heavy cream: Adds extra silkiness to the frosting, making it fluffy and dreamy.
- Strawberry puree (strained): Intensifies berry flavor in the frosting while painting it a stunning pink.
- Optional garnishes (fresh strawberries, lemon slices): Make your Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake look as joyful as it tastes.
How to Make Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Get Ready
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment for easy removal. This step protects against sticking, ensuring your beautiful Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake comes out in one happy piece.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Doing this evenly distributes the leaveners and seasoning for a perfectly risen, tender cake. You’re setting the stage for a soft, even crumb!
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Using a large bowl and a mixer, beat softened butter with granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t rush! Creaming well introduces air, giving your Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake its irresistible lightness and texture.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Citrus Flavors
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. This is where your cake starts to get its signature bright, tangy backbone!
Step 5: Combine Batter and Fold in Berries
Now, alternate adding your flour mixture with the whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. This keeps things silky and lump-free. With the last flour addition in, gently fold in those chopped strawberries, making sure they’re even throughout.
Step 6: Bake the Cakes
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans. Pop them into the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the tops are golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. This keeps the cakes beautifully moist and easy to handle for assembly.
Step 7: Whip Up the Strawberry-Lemonade Frosting
For your dreamy, fruity frosting, beat softened butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, lemon juice, heavy cream, and strawberry puree. Keep beating until light, smooth, and faintly pink. Taste it—you may want to add more lemon juice for extra zing or more puree for a bolder berry punch!
Step 8: Assemble and Decorate
Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Gently spread with strawberry preserves, then add a layer of your strawberry-lemonade frosting. Top with the second cake layer, then generously frost the top and sides. If you’re feeling festive, arrange fresh strawberries and lemon slices on top for a show-stopping finish.
How to Serve Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake
Garnishes
For instant wow factor, pile the finished cake high with fresh strawberries and lemon wedges. A few edible flowers or scattered zest can lend an extra charming, springtime look. These simple touches add both beauty and a preview of the cake’s bright, fruity flavors.
Side Dishes
This cake is wonderfully rich and pairs best with light, refreshing sides. Think of scooping up bowls of fresh berry salad, serving minty lemonade, or even a dollop of vanilla yogurt for a brunch celebration. Each pairing keeps the vibe summery and palate-cleansing.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, try assembling the Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake as mini cakes or cupcakes for personal portions. Or, turn it into a trifle by layering cubes of cake with extra strawberries and swirls of lemony whipped cream in glass jars—absolutely stunning and picnic-friendly!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake, simply cover it tightly and store in the refrigerator. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 3 days—just allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and softness.
Freezing
You can freeze fully cooled, unfrosted cake layers by wrapping them well in plastic wrap and foil, then freezing for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before assembling. Frosted slices can also be frozen individually, sealed in airtight containers, for a make-ahead treat whenever sweet cravings hit!
Reheating
This Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake is best served at room temperature, but if you like it just a touch warm, use the microwave at a low power for 10-15 seconds. Be sure not to overheat, as butter-based frostings can separate or melt with too much heat.
FAQs
Can I make this Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers a day in advance, wrap them well, and assemble the next day. The flavors blossom even more after a night’s rest, so your cake will be ultra flavorful and ready for a stress-free celebration.
What if I don’t have fresh strawberries?
No worries—you can use thawed, drained frozen strawberries in the batter, though fresh is ideal for the best flavor and texture. For garnish, try freeze-dried berries or omit if needed; the Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake will still be a delight!
How do I get a stronger strawberry taste in the frosting?
For a deeper berry flavor, blend freeze-dried strawberries into powder and add to the frosting, or simply use a thicker, reduced puree. Both methods add intensity without making it runny, resulting in a beautiful color and vibrant taste.
Do I need special equipment to make this cake?
A standard electric mixer and a couple of 9-inch round pans are all you really need. If you want ultra-smooth frosting, a food processor or blender helps make a super-fine strawberry puree, but it’s optional.
Can this be made as a sheet cake or cupcakes?
Yes! Pour the batter into a 9-by-13-inch pan for a festive sheet cake, or scoop into cupcake liners for portable treats. Adjust the baking time accordingly—cupcakes bake in about 18–20 minutes, a sheet cake may take 35–40 minutes.
Final Thoughts
I hope you feel inspired to gather your lemons, berries, and baking pans to create your own Strawberry-Lemonade Layer Cake. Whether you share it at a summer celebration or savor it on a quiet afternoon, this sunny, berry-bright cake is guaranteed to spread joy (and plenty of smiles). Enjoy every sweet, zesty bite!
