Indulge in the delightful layers of Strawberry Surprise Cake, a perfect blend of sweet strawberries and rich frosting. This cake is not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, making it the ideal centerpiece for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or celebrating a special milestone, this cake will surely impress your guests.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (1.5 g)
- 1 cup butter, softened (226 g)
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400 g)
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml)
Filling:
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
- 12 or more large strawberries, sliced
Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (226 g)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (113 g)
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (480 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 3 tablespoons milk (45 ml)
Drizzle Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (226 g)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (113 g)
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (480 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 1/2 cup milk (120 ml)
Decorating:
- Additional fresh strawberries for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare three 8-inch cake pans by lining the bottoms with parchment paper and greasing and flouring the sides.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Egg Yolks: One at a time, add the egg yolks to the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring to beat well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk. Continue to beat until well blended after each addition.
- Whip Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites using an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Fold in Egg Whites: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter using a spatula until just combined.
- Pour Batter into Pans: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Once baked, run a spatula around the edges of the cakes and let them cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Gently remove the cakes from the pans and remove the parchment paper. Allow the cakes to cool completely on wire racks.
- Prepare Strawberry Filling: While the cakes bake, slice the strawberries and place them in a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the strawberries to macerate.
- Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract with milk. Mix until smooth and allow to sit for 15–30 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Layer the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled, frost the top of the bottom layer with the frosting. Add a layer of the macerated strawberries.
- Repeat Layering: Place the second layer of cake on top of the first, repeat the frosting and strawberry layers, and then place the final layer on top.
- Frost the Whole Cake: Frost the top and sides of the entire cake, ensuring to cover any visible strawberry layers.
- Drizzle Frosting (optional): If you’d like the drizzle frosting, prepare it afterward. Allow it to sit for 15-30 minutes, then carefully drizzle it over the top of the frosted cake so some drizzles cascade down the sides.
- Decorate: Finally, garnish the top with additional fresh strawberries to enhance its visual appeal.
Nutritional Information
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling time for strawberries)
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories per slice: Approximately 400 calories (varies based on exact ingredients used)
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Quality Strawberries: Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor. Look for berries that are bright red and firm to the touch.
- Chill Your Tools: Chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream. This helps achieve better volume and stability for the frosting.
- Alternate Frosting Techniques: If the frosting becomes too thick while mixing, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Possible Variations
- Lemon Surprise Cake: Replace half of the vanilla extract with freshly squeezed lemon juice and add lemon zest to the frosting for a refreshing citrus twist.
- Chocolate Surprise Cake: Incorporate cocoa powder into the cake batter. Use chocolate frosting instead of cream cheese frosting for a richer dessert.
Enjoy baking this delightful Strawberry Surprise Cake and marvel at the smiles it will bring to your family and friends!