Strawberry Cake
Strawberry cake is a timeless dessert that blends the sweet, slightly tart flavor of strawberries with the rich, fluffy texture of a traditional cake. This delightful combination makes it the perfect choice for celebrations, special occasions, or simply as a treat for yoursel
Strawberries have been treasured for centuries. Known for their vibrant red color and refreshing taste, they were first cultivated in ancient Rome and have long been associated with indulgence and luxury. By the 19th century, strawberries were widely used in desserts across Europe and North America. The strawberry cake as we know it today became popular in the early 20th century, with advancements in refrigeration allowing strawberries to be preserved and enjoyed year-round.
Key Ingredients and Flavor Profile
- Strawberries: The star of the show, strawberries provide a bright, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor. You can use fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried strawberries depending on availability. Many recipes also call for a strawberry puree or reduction to intensify the flavor.
- Cake Flour or All-Purpose Flour: Cake flour results in a more tender and light crumb, but all-purpose flour can also be used for a denser, heartier cake.
- Butter or Oil: Butter adds richness and flavor, while oil yields a moist and soft cake. Some bakers combine both for the perfect balance of moisture and flavor.
- Sugar and Vanilla Extract: Sugar provides sweetness, and vanilla enhances the overall taste, complementing the natural sweetness of the strawberries.
- Eggs: Eggs add structure and richness to the cake, helping it rise while binding the ingredients together.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents ensure the cake has a light, airy texture.
- Milk or Buttermilk: Milk keeps the batter moist, while buttermilk adds a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
For extra flavor, some recipes incorporate a touch of lemon zest, which brings out the fruity notes of the strawberries and adds a fresh, citrusy element to the cake.
Recipe for Strawberry Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or cake flour for a lighter texture)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk (or buttermilk for extra moisture)
- ½ cup fresh strawberry puree (from about 6-8 strawberries)
- 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add strawberry puree: Blend in the fresh strawberry puree, giving the batter a naturally pink hue and fruity flavor.
- Alternate dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk or buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.
- Incorporate diced strawberries: Gently fold in the diced strawberries to distribute them evenly throughout the batter. This adds pockets of sweet, juicy strawberry pieces to every bite.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting Options
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
This frosting adds a tangy creaminess that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of strawberries.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup strawberry puree or freeze-dried strawberry powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well until light and fluffy. Stir in the strawberry puree or freeze-dried strawberry powder for extra strawberry flavor, followed by the vanilla extract.
Whipped Cream Frosting:
For a lighter, airier frosting, you can opt for homemade whipped cream with a hint of vanilla.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions: Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form, then add the vanilla extract. Spread this on top of your cake and garnish with fresh strawberries.
Variations
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake: A twist on the traditional strawberry shortcake, this version uses layers of sponge cake or biscuit-like cake and is served with whipped cream and macerated strawberries.
- Strawberry Chocolate Cake: Add a layer of richness to your cake by incorporating chocolate into the batter or adding a layer of chocolate ganache between cake layers.
- Vegan Strawberry Cake: Substitute dairy and eggs with plant-based alternatives like almond milk, coconut cream, and flax eggs to create a vegan version that’s just as delicious.
- Strawberry Lemonade Cake: Infuse the cake with lemon zest and lemon juice for a bright, tangy twist that balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
Presentation Ideas
- Fresh Strawberries as Garnish: Adorn the top of your cake with halved or whole strawberries for a beautiful, natural look. You can also dip them in chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Strawberry Glaze: Drizzle a glossy strawberry glaze made from strawberry puree and powdered sugar over the cake for a visually striking finish.
- Layered Cake with Strawberry Filling: For an impressive presentation, slice the cake into layers and fill it with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting combined with fresh or macerated strawberries.
Nutritional Information (Per Slice)
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 70-85mg
- Sodium: 180-220mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 50-55g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 35-40g
- Protein: 4-5g
Breakdown by Ingredient:
- Cake Flour (1 ¾ cups):
- Calories: ~600 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~130g
- Protein: ~16g
- Sugar (1 cup):
- Calories: ~770 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~200g
- Butter (½ cup):
- Calories: ~800 kcal
- Fat: ~90g
- Saturated Fat: ~55g
- Eggs (2 large):
- Calories: ~140 kcal
- Protein: ~12g
- Fat: ~10g
- Milk (½ cup):
- Calories: ~75 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~6g
- Protein: ~4g
- Strawberries (1 ½ cups total for puree and diced):
- Calories: ~75 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Powdered Sugar (3 ½ cups in frosting):
- Calories: ~1700 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~440g
- Cream Cheese (8 oz):
- Calories: ~800 kcal
- Fat: ~80g
- Protein: ~16g
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon):
- Calories: ~12 kcal
Health Considerations:
- High in Sugar: Strawberry cake, particularly with cream cheese frosting, tends to have a significant sugar content, contributing to the high calorie count.
- Moderate in Fat: The butter and cream cheese used in the recipe contribute a large amount of fat, especially saturated fat, which should be eaten in moderation.
- Protein: While the cake contains some protein from eggs and dairy, it’s a modest amount relative to the overall caloric intake.
Nutritional Modifications:
- To reduce calories and sugar, you could substitute part of the sugar with natural sweeteners like stevia or reduce the frosting quantity.
- For a lighter version, you could use low-fat cream cheese, or even whipped yogurt in place of some of the frosting.
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