BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake

Teresa Ambra

Oh my, dear readers, let me prepare you for the BEST Strawberry Cake of all time! 🙂 Once you taste this cake you will not feel like I’m exaggerating in the least! I probably have three or four different Strawberry Cake recipes. Most are very similar but this one is extraordinary. This spectacular cake recipe is rich–I mean REALLY rich, sweet and decadent. It’s almost to the pass out level it has so much sugar! It is so sweet that I can rarely finish one piece of cake (certainly not the slabs I like to eat). And this is coming from the Sweet Tooth Queen!!!!!!

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I have used this recipe before with cupcakes and parts of the recipe for these Strawberry Almond Bars. It’s been one of my favorites since I first saw it on Pinterest years ago. Pureeing frozen strawberries and adding them to the cake with strawberry jello makes the cake delightful. Adding strawberry extract and pureed strawberries to the cream cheese icing makes this cake stand out even more.

Last month I made a meal for friends when she got home from the hospital after hip replacement surgery. The meal included Chicken Stroganoff, Creamy Strawberry Kiwi Salad, a loaf of one of my favorite breads, and this luscious cake for dessert. I got a text from that night raving over how much they enjoyed the cake. Then I sent another cake to my husband’s office and immediately got emails asking for the recipe!

This recipe ends up with a lot of leftover strawberry puree which you can drizzle over the cake (like I did), or use up in smoothies or other ways. But the cake is SO rich you may find it sweet enough without any other additions.

BEST Strawberry Cake is the perfect cake for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, Easter, anniversaries, birthdays or other holidays when you want a divine cake that everyone’s sure to love.

This spectacular cake is featured at Favorite Southern Recipes here.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake truly lives up to its name. This cake is divine!

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

If you enjoy strawberries, you’ll love this cake.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake is the richest, sweetest most decadent cake ever!

Here’s what I did.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

I used these ingredients for the cake. Instead of water I substitute heavy whipping cream or half-and-half for a richer cake.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Combine cake mix and strawberry gelatin with a spoon.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add eggs, oil and cream.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Puree thawed strawberries in a blender or Vitamix.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add pureed strawberries to mixing bowl.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Whisk ingredients to combine.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Pour into three very well greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Bake at 350 for approximately 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Make sure the cake is completely cooked through. Otherwise, it will be too fragile to work with and may even break apart.

Allow the cakes to cool completely. If you have time to freeze them for several hours, that’s optimal as the icing will spread easier with a frozen cake. But if not, at least allow the cakes to cool completely.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

I used these ingredients to make the icing.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Cream softened cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add pureed strawberries.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add strawberry extract.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Combine ingredients with an electric mixer until strawberries are worked into the batter. Begin creaming the powdered sugar into the icing one cup at a time until all is worked into the icing.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Yes, you will need the full seven cups of powdered sugar for this recipe.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Spread a layer of the icing on the bottom of your cake plate. This will prevent the cake from sliding off.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

With a serrated bread knife, trim off any hard edges from the cake.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

With an icing spreader, spread a thick layer of icing over top of the bottom cake layer.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add another layer of cake (with the edges trimmed) and another layer of icing.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add third cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Add fresh strawberries to the top of the cake.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

If desired, drizzle additional strawberry puree over top of the icing. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Cut cake into pieces and devour enjoy!

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Here you can see there’s quite a bit of preserves leftover. They are wonderful drizzled over top of each cake slice too! 🙂

Here’s the recipe.

BEST STRAWBERRY CAKE

(Recipe adapted from Cooking With Crevolyn)

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake

Teresa Ambra
This fabulous cake uses pureed strawberries and gelatin in the cake and more pureed strawberries and strawberry extract in the cream cheese frosting. Best Strawberry Cake is so rich, sweet and decadent you will find it divine!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cake/Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 604 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 9-inch round cake pans
  • 1 blender
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • 1 rubber spatula
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

Ingredients
  

STRAWBERRY CAKE:

  • 18.25 oz. box white cake mix
  • 3 oz. box instant strawberry gelatin
  • 15 oz. ctn. strawberries in syrup frozen, thawed and pureed
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup canola oil or use coconut oil or avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half or whole milk

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened (1/2 stick)
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
  • 10 oz. ctn. strawberries in syrup frozen, thawed and pureed (see note below)
  • 1/2 tsp. strawberry extract
  • 7 cups powdered sugar (yes, it's really this much sugar)
  • 6 strawberries sliced, for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

STRAWBERRY CAKE:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
  • Set aside.
  • Combine cake mix and gelatin.
  • Add strawberries, eggs, oil & cream and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Pour into prepared cake pans.
  • Bake at 350° for approximately 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Cool cakes completely.
  • If possible, freeze cake layers before icing.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

  • Soften butter and cream cheese.
  • Beat in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
  • Add ¼ cup of the pureed strawberries and strawberry extract and beat.
  • Add powdered sugar about a cup at a time beating until smooth.
  • Remove cake layers from freezer and level if desired.
  • Place a little icing on the bottom of a plate so cake layer sticks to plate.
  • Add the first cake layer and smooth frosting over top.
  • Add second cake layer and repeat.
  • Add top cake layer and frost top and sides of cake.
  • Top with fresh strawberries.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • You can spoon some of the blended strawberry mixture over top of the cake if desired.

Notes

NOTE: You need to make sure this cake cooks completely. Otherwise it will be too fragile to work with and fall apart. I highly recommend freezing the cake layers before adding the icing.
 
Recipe adapted from Cooking with Crevolyn.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 604kcalCarbohydrates: 115gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 379mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 83gVitamin A: 281IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cake, cream cheese, dessert, strawberries
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake is perfect for holidays like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Valentine’s Day!

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Prepare yourself for a sugar high!

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake is also a delightful cake to serve company.

BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

Time to dig in and enjoy!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

BEST Strawberry Cupcakes

Best Strawberry Cupcakes | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these spectacular #Strawberry #Cupcakes will have you drooling from the first bite. Terrific for company & #holidays like #FathersDay. We also like to make them for #ValentinesDay, #Christmas & baby showers! #BestStrawberryCupcakes #dessert #StrawberryDessert

Strawberry Coffeecake

Strawberry Coffeecake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is one of our favorite #coffeecake recipes. It's wonderful for #holiday #breakfast menus like #FourthofJuly. It's also terrific served as a #dessert. #strawberries #cake

Fresh Strawberry Breakfast Cobbler

Fresh Strawberry Breakfast Cobbler | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #cobbler is more like a #coffeecake. Every bite will have you drooling! It makes a superb #breakfast for the #FourthofJuly or other summer #holidays. #strawberries
BEST Strawberry Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the best, richest, most decadent #strawberry #cake ever! Perfect for #holidays & special occasions like #MothersDay, #FathersDay or #ValentinesDay. #dessert

BEST Strawberry Cake

Teresa Ambra
This fabulous cake uses pureed strawberries and gelatin in the cake and more pureed strawberries and strawberry extract in the cream cheese frosting. Best Strawberry Cake is so rich, sweet and decadent you will find it divine!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cake/Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 604 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 9-inch round cake pans
  • 1 blender
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • 1 rubber spatula
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

Ingredients
  

STRAWBERRY CAKE:

  • 18.25 oz. box white cake mix
  • 3 oz. box instant strawberry gelatin
  • 15 oz. ctn. strawberries in syrup frozen, thawed and pureed
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup canola oil or use coconut oil or avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or half-and-half or whole milk

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened (1/2 stick)
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
  • 10 oz. ctn. strawberries in syrup frozen, thawed and pureed (see note below)
  • 1/2 tsp. strawberry extract
  • 7 cups powdered sugar (yes, it’s really this much sugar)
  • 6 strawberries sliced, for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

STRAWBERRY CAKE:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
  • Set aside.
  • Combine cake mix and gelatin.
  • Add strawberries, eggs, oil & cream and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Pour into prepared cake pans.
  • Bake at 350° for approximately 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Cool cakes completely.
  • If possible, freeze cake layers before icing.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

  • Soften butter and cream cheese.
  • Beat in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
  • Add ¼ cup of the pureed strawberries and strawberry extract and beat.
  • Add powdered sugar about a cup at a time beating until smooth.
  • Remove cake layers from freezer and level if desired.
  • Place a little icing on the bottom of a plate so cake layer sticks to plate.
  • Add the first cake layer and smooth frosting over top.
  • Add second cake layer and repeat.
  • Add top cake layer and frost top and sides of cake.
  • Top with fresh strawberries.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • You can spoon some of the blended strawberry mixture over top of the cake if desired.

Notes

NOTE: You need to make sure this cake cooks completely. Otherwise it will be too fragile to work with and fall apart. I highly recommend freezing the cake layers before adding the icing.
 
Recipe adapted from Cooking with Crevolyn.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 604kcalCarbohydrates: 115gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 379mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 83gVitamin A: 281IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cake, cream cheese, dessert, strawberries
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

10 Comments

  • Baylee

    March 24, 2023 at 6:48 am

    I really love baking and making it my business. I never tried this and should save this for future reference. Thank you for sharing this.

    1. Teresa Ambra

      March 24, 2023 at 5:20 pm

      It’s a terrific recipe.

  • Laura

    April 24, 2021 at 8:33 am

    ‘Best’ – seriously? This must be sponsored post, none of these ingredients are good at all. Cake mix, canola oil, imitation strawberry – complete rubbish. Reading this recipe was a waste of my time.

    1. Teresa

      April 26, 2021 at 7:24 am

      Hi, Laura. Sorry that you think this recipe is a waste of time. Have you tried the cake? it is absolutely the best strawberry cake recipe I’ve eaten. But if you look at the recipe card you will see that I was adapting a recipe from someone else. That person titled the recipe “best strawberry cake.” Thus, I used the same title from the person who originated the recipe. Thanks for stopping by.

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  • Debbie

    September 16, 2017 at 2:57 am

    Hi! My parents don’t enjoy cream cheese, what would you recommend replacing it with? Thank you!

    1. Teresa

      September 16, 2017 at 8:02 am

      Debbie, I think you can make a regular vanilla buttercream frosting, but add the strawberry stuff as indicated. If you check out my post for Cracked Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, you can locate the icing recipe on that post. http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2013/03/02/cracked-sugar-cookies-with-vanilla-buttercream-frosting/
      Another really terrific frosting is the one I use on my Best Sugar Cookies. http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2013/12/08/best-sugar-cookies/
      Start with either of these but add the remaining strawberry syrup stuff in the original recipe. Hopefully your parents will enjoy this cake made this way too! Have a great weekend.

  • Joann

    June 17, 2017 at 10:36 am

    Hello, This looks amazing and delicious, and I can’t wait to make this gorgeous cake. I do have a couple of questions though. 1) The cake mix called for is 18.25oz. We have a 15.??oz. So do I just use the 15oz. or do I need to use the 15oz. plus enough from another box to make up the difference? 2) Have you ever tried this using a Strawberry Cake Mix? Thanks for any help you can give me. Have a wonderful and Blessed Day.

    1. Teresa

      June 18, 2017 at 8:28 am

      Hi Joann. This dessert is so rich that I think you would find it really overkill to use a strawberry cake mix. Try the 15-ounce cake mix and see if it turns out. You may find you don’t have quite as much body to the cake and have to put it in two pans instead of three. It may also cook more quickly so check your oven time.

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