What Is Strawberry Velvet Cake?
Strawberry Velvet Cake is a fruity spin on the classic red velvet — but without the cocoa. Instead, it uses fresh or puréed strawberries for its pink hue, tender crumb, and lightly tangy flavor.
It’s finished with smooth cream cheese or whipped buttercream frosting, making it a crowd-pleaser for spring and summer events.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Real strawberry flavor
✅ Naturally pink or deep rose color
✅ Soft, velvety crumb
✅ Pairs beautifully with cream cheese frosting
✅ Perfect for birthdays, showers, and Valentine’s Day
Ingredients You’ll Need
🍓 For the Cake:
- 2½ cups cake flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup strawberry puree
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pink or red food coloring (optional)
🧁 For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: a bit of strawberry jam or puree for color & flavor
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
⏱️ Total Time: 1 hour + cooling
🍰 Serves: 10–12
Step 1: Prep the Pans
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Batter
Cream butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in strawberry purée, vanilla, and food coloring. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk.
Step 3: Bake
Pour into pans and bake for 25–30 mins, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Optional: blend in a spoon of strawberry jam for color.
Step 5: Frost & Decorate
Frost the cake and decorate with sliced strawberries or crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
Frosting Options & Tips
| Frosting Type | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese | Classic, tangy contrast |
| Whipped buttercream | Light & fluffy |
| Strawberry buttercream | More berry flavor |
| Chocolate ganache | Bold twist |
Serving Ideas
- Serve with fresh strawberry slices on top
- Pair with strawberry ice cream
- Use as a centerpiece for baby showers, birthdays, or Valentine’s Day
Storage & Freezing
- 🧊 Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4–5 days
- ❄️ Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months
- 🔥 Thaw: Let come to room temp before serving
FAQs
❓ Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes — just thaw and purée before adding.
❓ Can I skip the food coloring?
Totally! The strawberries give a natural pink tint on their own.
❓ Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes — substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
👉 Love berry desserts? You’ll enjoy our Grasshopper Ice Cream — cool, minty, and packed with chocolate chips!
🏁 Final Thoughts
Strawberry Velvet Cake is soft, romantic, and irresistibly fresh. With its berry-forward flavor and plush texture, it’s a beautiful twist on a classic — and destined to become your next celebration favorite.
