Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Strawberry shortcake cake is a cool and refreshing dessert made with fresh strawberries and topped with whipped cream. This easy homemade cake is perfect for warm weather get-togethers or summer holiday parties.

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What is Strawberry Shortcake Cake?

This strawberry shortcake cake is a delicious spin on the classic individual-sized shortcakes usually made during the summer months with sweet strawberries.

Our version of this favorite dessert is simple and incredibly easy to make, just like icebox cake. Made as a one-layer cake with juicy ripe strawberries, bright lemon flavor, and homemade whipped topping — it’s a dessert perfect for any occasion!

It’s best served the same day it’s assembled. The whipped topping can be spread all over the cake or dolloped individually over each slice.  

How to make sure your cake isn’t mushy

It’s possible that your cake will become mushy if there’s too much moisture in the cake. Strawberries contain a lot of water which is released when they’re baked. This in turn can add too much liquid to your cake. 

To prevent this from happening, simply wash the strawberries and then pat them dry with a few sheets of paper towels before chopping and adding them to the batter. This will help cut down on the moisture and make sure the cake isn’t mushy. 

Ingredients

• Eggs: Fresh, large eggs are best for this recipe.  
• Sugar: I love using cane sugar but granulated sugar works just as well.  
• Greek yogurt: Yogurt adds the perfect moisture to the cake and makes it lighter. 
• Avocado oil: Any neutral oil will work well. Try refined coconut oil.  
• Vanilla extract: Buy pure vanilla extract from the store or make your own at home.  
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice squeezed from a lemon is more potent than bottled lemon juice. 
• Flour: All-purpose flour or cake flour is perfect for this recipe.  
• Baking soda: Baking soda makes the cake rise. Be sure yours is still good and not expired before using it.  
• Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the cake.  
• Lemon zest: Lemons and strawberries are a wonderful match. They complement each other nicely in this cake. 
• Fresh strawberries: Be sure you use in-season, ripe strawberries since it’s the star of the dish. You’ll need strawberries for the batter and extra for garnish.
• Heavy whipping cream: You can find heavy whipping cream in the dairy section of the grocery store. 

How to make a strawberry shortcake cake

• Beat the eggs and sugar until light in color. Add yogurt, oil, vanilla, and lemon juice.

• Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in another bowl. 

• Slowly pour in the dry ingredients while mixing the wet ingredients. 
• Stir in the lemon zest and strawberries with a wooden spoon. 

• Pour the batter into a greased and floured baking pan and bake. Cool completely.

• To make the whipped topping, beat the cream and sugar until thick and fluffy. Top the cake with whipped cream and strawberries. 

Tips for Making a Fluffy Cake

The ingredients in this strawberry shortcake cake are precisely measured to make sure the cake is fluffy. You can also do a few things to ensure it’s not dense. 

• Don’t overmix the cake batter. 
• Use the exact measurements of each ingredient. 
• Do not substitute ingredients unless stated.
• Pat dry the strawberries after washing and before chopping to remove excess moisture.
• Make sure to use baking soda and not baking powder. Not the same and works differently.

Can I make this strawberry shortcake cake more than one layer? 

One layer is easier to make, but if you want to stack this cake high, you can certainly do so. Grease and flour two or more cake pans and double the batter recipe.

Allow the cake to cool before removing them from the pans, and then layer them on top of each other with whipped cream and sliced strawberries spread in between each one. 

What types of frosting can I use on this cake? 

This strawberry cake is topped with whipped cream made with heavy whipping cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.

You can also use whipped topping from the store or make your own cream cheese frosting or even leftover cream cheese fruit dip would work. Any of these options will taste amazing!  

What other types of cake can I use for this recipe? 

This recipe is made with white cake; however, you can change the style depending on what you’re in the mood for or the type of celebration. Here are some options you can top with whipped cream and strawberries: 

• Angel food cake 
• Pound cake
• Sheet cake
• Poke cake  
• Bundt cake 
• Sponge cake 
• Trifle 

Storing Cake

To store the cake after it’s made, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. The longer you keep it in the refrigerator, the more it will dry out. You can also let it come to room temperature before eating a slice if you’d like.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Summer Desserts

• Coconut Peach Muffins
• Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
• Creamy Frozen Yogurt Bars
• Plum Torte

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