Name: Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cooking spray (for greasing pans); 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 (1.2-ounce) bag freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into crumbs; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 6 large egg whites, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 ¼ cups milk, at room temperature; 16 ounces cream cheese, full fat, at room temperature; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cubed; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 6 cups powdered sugar; Fresh strawberries or fresh raspberries; Sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 71 reviews

If you’re looking to swoon over a cake that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, you have to try this Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe. It’s the perfect celebration of spring’s juiciest fruit baked right into tender, fluffy layers of cake, all wrapped in a luscious cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a garden party, or simply craving a slice of sweet happiness, this cake brings together the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that irresistible pink hue. Get ready to fall head over heels for every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows ten clear glass bowls and a measuring cup with baking ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface. Starting from the top left, there is a small bowl with a square of yellow butter, next to a tiny bowl with white salt. Below them is a larger bowl filled with white powdered sugar. Toward the center in a medium bowl are three raw yellow eggs. To the right of the eggs, a big bowl contains white flour. Below the eggs is a glass measuring cup with clear oil. Next to it on the right, a small bowl holds small pink candy sprinkles. At the bottom left, another small bowl contains cream cheese. Beside it, a small bowl holds dark brown vanilla extract. In front on the right, a tiny bowl with a small amount of red food coloring sits near a glass measuring cup filled with white milk. All the bowls are transparent, showing their contents clearly. The arrangement is neat and spread out on the smooth white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe plays a crucial role, bringing simple, fresh flavors and the perfect texture to this charming dessert. From the fragrant freeze-dried strawberries adding natural color and brightness, to the creamy, tangy frosting that ties it all together, each element is a tiny piece of cake magic.

Cooking spray: Ensures your cake layers release easily from the pans without sticking.
3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your cake’s tender crumb and structure.
1 (1.2-ounce) bag freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into crumbs: Provides vibrant pink color along with concentrated strawberry flavor without extra moisture.
1 tablespoon baking powder: Gives the cake a light, fluffy rise.
1 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
1 stick unsalted butter (at room temperature): Adds richness and helps create a smooth batter.
1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens while creating a tender crumb.
6 large egg whites (at room temperature): Provide lift and a light texture without adding extra yolk fat.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavors.
1 ¼ cups milk (at room temperature): Keeps the batter moist and smooth.
Fresh strawberries (for garnish): A pretty, fresh touch to finish the cake.
16 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, full fat): Creates the rich, tangy frosting that’s the ultimate complement to the sweet cake.
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (at room temperature, cubed): Helps achieve a creamy, spreadable frosting texture.
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Enhances the frosting with a sweet aroma.
¼ teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness in the frosting.
6 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a perfect spread.
Fresh strawberries or raspberries: For extra pops of color and flavor on top.
Sprinkles: An optional fun touch for a festive look.

How to Make Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven

Start by setting your oven to 325°F, letting it preheat fully so your cake bakes evenly. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray or line them with parchment rounds. If you only have two pans, no worries—just bake the layers in batches, letting the pans cool and re-greasing as needed. Having those pans ready upfront makes the whole process smoother.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, baking powder, and salt. This blend infuses the cake with its iconic pink color and strawberry essence while ensuring the cake rises well. Mixing these first also helps distribute everything evenly before adding to the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until it’s light, airy, and fluffy — about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key for a tender cake texture, so don’t rush it! Scrape down the sides if needed to keep things well mixed.

Step 4: Add Egg Whites and Vanilla

Add the six egg whites in three batches to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. The egg whites provide lift without the extra richness of yolks, keeping the crumb light and perfect for this layer cake.

Step 5: Alternate Adding Flour Mixture and Milk

Lower the mixer speed to low. Add one-third of the flour-strawberry mixture, mixing just until incorporated, then half of the milk. Repeat by alternating remaining flour and milk in the same order, mixing gently until just combined. This careful folding keeps the batter tender and prevents overmixing.

Step 6: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Pop them into the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs attached—about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the cakes to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cake layers are cooling, beat together the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Add vanilla and salt, then gradually pour in the powdered sugar on low speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. This frosting is the icing on the cake in every sense, lending richness with just the right tang.

Step 8: Level and Frost the Cake

Trim the domed tops off each cooled cake layer using a serrated knife, creating flat surfaces for neat stacking. Place the first layer on your serving plate, then spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Repeat for the second layer, then place the third layer and coat the entire cake with a thin crumb coat to lock in crumbs. Chill for 10 minutes, then finish frosting the whole cake smoothly.

Step 9: Decorate and Enjoy

Get creative decorating your Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe by adding fresh strawberries, raspberries, or sprinkles on top. This final flourish adds sparkle and a fresh burst of flavor. Then it’s time to slice, serve, and bask in all the compliments.

How to Serve Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

A slice of pink three-layer cake with white frosting between each layer and on top sits on a white plate. The cake has small red and pink bits inside the sponge. Next to the cake on the plate are three fresh sliced strawberries. Around the plate, colorful round sprinkles scatter on a white marbled surface. In the background, part of a beige cloth and a stack of gray plates with gold rims are visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh berries on top add a delightful pop of natural sweetness and a gorgeous finishing touch that ties in beautifully with the strawberry flavor inside the cake. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a scattering of colorful sprinkles can bring an element of fun and whimsy, perfect if you’re serving to kids or at celebrations.

Side Dishes

Serve this Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream for an extra dreamy dessert experience. It also pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed tea or a glass of chilled sparkling wine to keep the celebration sparkling.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow your guests? Slice the cake into petite cupcakes for an elegant tea party, or create a trifle layering cake cubes with whipped cream and chopped strawberries. For a more rustic vibe, plate generous slices with a swirl of fruit coulis and some mint leaves for a restaurant-worthy presentation at home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This cake stays fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep it chilled to maintain the freshness of the cream cheese frosting and prevent the cake from drying out. Bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake layers without frosting for up to two months by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Once thawed in the fridge, frost and assemble as usual. Alternatively, freeze the whole assembled cake if tightly covered with plastic wrap, though texture is best when frozen before frosting.

Reheating

For a perfectly soft slice, let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the frosting texture, but if necessary, a quick 10-second zap can take the chill off individual slices.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried?

Fresh strawberries have too much moisture, which can throw off the cake’s texture and color. Freeze-dried strawberries give concentrated flavor and vibrant pink color without adding batter moisture, making them ideal for this recipe.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. Just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I add food coloring to make the cake even pinker?

If you want a bolder pink, a tiny bit of red or pink gel food coloring can be added to the batter, but the freeze-dried strawberries already provide natural color. Start with a small amount to avoid overpowering the flavor.

How do I prevent my cake layers from doming?

Make sure to level the batter evenly in the pans and bake at a moderate temperature like 325°F. Trimming the domed tops after baking is a great way to get perfectly flat layers for stacking.

Can this cake be made vegan?

This version relies on eggs, butter, and cream cheese for its tender crumb and creamy frosting, so it’s not vegan. However, you could experiment with plant-based substitutes, but it won’t be quite the same classic Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe we love.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something incredibly uplifting about baking and sharing this Pink Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe. It’s a beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, and fruity that’s perfect for any occasion when you want to impress and indulge. I hope you have as much fun making it as you do eating it — trust me, it’s going to become a new favorite in your dessert repertoire!