Description
This elegant strawberry cake uses freeze-dried berries to achieve a vibrant natural color and deep fruit flavor without adding excess moisture. Paired with a rich cream cheese frosting, it offers a tender, velvety crumb perfect for spring celebrations.
Ingredients
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Milk, room temperature
- Egg whites, room temperature
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- White vinegar
- Full-fat cream cheese, cold
- Powdered sugar
- Simple syrup (optional)
- Fresh strawberry slices for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease three 8-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Process the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until they form a fine, rosy powder.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- With the mixer on low, add softened butter one tablespoon at a time until the mixture resembles damp, coarse sand.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg whites, oil, vanilla, and white vinegar.
- Add one-third of the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a thick paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add half of the remaining liquid and beat on medium-low speed for three minutes to build structure.
- Pour in the remaining liquid and optional food coloring, then beat for four more minutes until the batter is silky and light.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the tops spring back.
- Cool the cakes in the pans briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat butter and cold cream cheese until smooth, then whip in the reserved strawberry powder and powdered sugar until billowy.
- Assemble the cake by brushing layers with simple syrup, spreading frosting between layers, and finishing with fresh strawberry slices.
Notes
For the best results, ensure your milk and egg whites are truly at room temperature to ensure a smooth emulsion in the batter. If you prefer a smoother frosting, you can sift the strawberry powder through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining seeds before mixing.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American