Lemon Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
Directions / Instructions
Why You'll Love This Lemon Strawberry Cake
This Lemon Strawberry Cake combines the sweet flavor of ripe strawberries with the bright citrusy freshness of lemons for a perfectly balanced dessert. Every bite is soft, fluffy, fruity, and topped with a silky lemon cream cheese frosting that makes the cake taste bakery-worthy.
Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting brunch, or simply craving a beautiful homemade dessert, this cake is guaranteed to impress with its vibrant flavors and gorgeous presentation.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1½ cups finely chopped fresh strawberries
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pans
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. Make the Batter
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries.
3. Bake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Cool Completely
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
6. Assemble the Cake
Spread frosting between the cake layers, frost the top and sides, and decorate with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, and extra lemon zest if desired.
Expert Tips
Pat the chopped strawberries dry before adding them to the batter to prevent excess moisture. Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor, and chill the frosted cake for 20 minutes before slicing for clean, beautiful pieces.
Storage
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. The unfrosted cake layers can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, lemon curd, or a cup of hot tea or coffee for an elegant dessert.
Recipe Variations
Add blueberries for a mixed berry version, use mascarpone frosting instead of cream cheese frosting, make cupcakes instead of a layer cake, or drizzle the finished cake with a simple lemon glaze for extra citrus flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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