The Ultimate Guide to Making Strawberry Shortcake Cake: A Perfect Summer Dessert
Strawberry shortcake cake is an irresistible dessert that marries the classic flavors of a moist vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream. This delightful cake is perfect for any summer celebration, offering a refreshing treat that’s both elegant and satisfying. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, a birthday party, or simply want to indulge in a sweet treat, this strawberry shortcake cake will surely impress your guests.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating this beautiful cake, complete with tips and tricks to ensure your cake turns out perfectly. From preparing the moist vanilla cake layers to whipping up the light and airy whipped cream frosting, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make this classic dessert at home. Plus, we’ve included a helpful how-to video to guide you through each step.
Why Strawberry Shortcake Cake?
Strawberry shortcake has long been a beloved dessert, and transforming it into a cake only elevates its charm. The combination of tender vanilla cake, juicy strawberries, and creamy whipped topping creates a delightful contrast in textures and flavors. This cake version of the classic strawberry shortcake offers a more substantial and visually stunning dessert, making it ideal for celebrations and special occasions.
What sets this cake apart is its simplicity and the freshness of its ingredients. The use of buttermilk in the cake batter results in an incredibly tender crumb, while the strawberries add a burst of natural sweetness. The whipped cream frosting, lightly stabilized with gelatin, provides the perfect finishing touch, ensuring the cake holds its shape while remaining light and fluffy.
Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Flavor
To create the perfect strawberry shortcake cake, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the desired taste and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Cake:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is the foundation of the cake, providing richness and flavor.
- Neutral Cooking Oil: I recommend using avocado oil, but canola or vegetable oil works just as well. The oil helps keep the cake moist and tender.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and aids in creating a tender crumb.
- Eggs: Provide structure and stability to the cake while also adding moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet aroma and flavor to the cake.
- All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the cake, all-purpose flour creates a balanced texture.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that gives the cake its rise, ensuring a light and airy texture.
- Table Salt: Enhances the flavors in the cake and balances the sweetness.
- Buttermilk: A key ingredient for a moist cake, buttermilk adds a subtle tang and tenderness.
For the Strawberries:
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are the star of the show, offering a natural sweetness and a pop of color.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps macerate the strawberries, drawing out their juices and enhancing their flavor.
For the Whipped Cream Frosting:
- Unflavored Gelatin: Stabilizes the whipped cream, helping it hold its shape.
- Cold Water: Used to dissolve the gelatin.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: The base of the frosting, heavy cream is whipped to perfection.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream while also adding a smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the whipped cream with a hint of sweetness and warmth.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your Strawberry Shortcake Cake
1. Preparing the Cake Layers
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing three 8-inch round cake pans. Grease the sides of the pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, neutral oil, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. This step is crucial for creating a light and fluffy cake batter. Once the mixture is well combined and creamy, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Finally, stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start with about a fourth of the dry ingredients, followed by a third of the buttermilk, and continue alternating until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter; some small lumps are fine.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans and bake in the preheated oven for 24-26 minutes. The cakes are done when the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Preparing the Strawberries
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the strawberries. Set aside about ½ pound of strawberries to decorate the top of the cake, slicing them in half lengthwise. Chop the remaining strawberries into small pieces, about ¼ to ½ inch in size. Toss the chopped strawberries with granulated sugar in a medium-sized bowl and set them aside. The sugar will help the strawberries release their juices, which will infuse the cake with a sweet, fruity flavor.
3. Making the Whipped Cream Frosting
To make the whipped cream frosting, start by dissolving the unflavored gelatin in cold water. Let the mixture sit until the gelatin is absorbed, then microwave it for 5-10 seconds until it liquefies. Be careful not to overheat the gelatin.
In a large mixing bowl, preferably a chilled metal one, combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until it thickens but hasn’t yet reached soft peaks. At this point, drizzle in the liquid gelatin while continuing to beat the cream. Increase the mixer speed to high and continue beating until stiff peaks form. The whipped cream should be thick, fluffy, and stable, resembling the consistency of store-bought whipped topping.
4. Assembling the Cake
Once the cake layers are completely cooled, level them if necessary to ensure even layers. This step is important for a professional-looking cake.
Transfer the whipped cream frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round or closed star tip. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a thin, even layer of frosting over the surface. Pipe a dam of frosting around the edge of the cake layer to prevent the strawberries from spilling out.
Using a slotted spoon, drain the chopped strawberries of any excess juices and layer them inside the frosting dam. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the process with the remaining strawberries and frosting. Finally, top with the last cake layer and spread an even layer of frosting on the top and a thin, semi-naked layer around the sides for a rustic look.
Use the remaining frosting to pipe swirls around the top edge of the cake, and decorate with the reserved strawberry halves. The swirls add a decorative touch, while the fresh strawberries provide a vibrant, summery finish.
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, and buttermilk are at room temperature before starting. This helps create a smooth batter and ensures even baking.
- Don’t Overmix: When adding the flour and buttermilk, gently fold the ingredients together to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a dense cake.
- Chill the Bowl: Chilling your mixing bowl before making the whipped cream frosting helps it whip up more quickly and hold its shape better.
- Use a Serrated Knife: When slicing the cake, use a serrated knife to cut through the layers cleanly without squishing the cake. Support the cake with your hand or a bench scraper as you slice to keep it intact.
Serving and Storing
Strawberry shortcake cake is best served the same day it’s made, as the fresh strawberries and whipped cream are at their peak. However, if you have leftovers, store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The cake may become slightly softer as the strawberries release more juice, but it will still be delicious.
Conclusion
Strawberry shortcake cake is a show-stopping dessert that combines the best of summer flavors in one beautiful package. With its tender vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and light whipped cream frosting, this cake is perfect for any special occasion. By following this guide, you’ll be able to create a stunning and delicious cake that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves the classic combination of strawberries and cream.
