The Best Homemade Strawberry Cake

I recently went strawberry picking with my family in the heat of a summer morning, we picked 2 baskets full of fresh and sweet strawberries. As soon as we got home I made the best homemade strawberry cake. It is fluffy, soft, and bursting with real strawberry flavor with a homemade vanilla pudding and a red glaze on top to hold the strawberries together and keep them from drying out.

It is our summer tradition to have at least one strawberry cake each summer. It is my absolute favorite. Unlike cakes made with artificial flavoring, this recipe uses real strawberries for a naturally sweet and fruity taste. Every bite is moist, tender, and packed with fresh berry goodness.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Cake:

• Made with real strawberries
• Soft, moist, and fluffy texture
• Beautiful natural pink color
• Perfect for birthdays and celebrations
• Easy to make from scratch
• Delicious with homemade vanilla pudding

This recipe called for store bought vanilla pudding mixture but I used my vanilla sauce from my waffle recipe. It is so easy to make in the Thermomix. I added sour cream to the vanilla pudding which made it silky and smooth.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Cake:

• 125g margarine (or butter)
• 200g sugar
• 3 eggs
• 50ml milk
• 250g All-purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder

For the Vanilla Cream Filling:

• 120g sugar
• 1 packet vanilla pudding mixture or vanilla sauce made from scratch
• 500ml milk
• 400g sour cream

Strawberry Topping:

• 500-700g fresh strawberries, halved or sliced

For the Glaze:

• 3 packets red cake glaze (Roter Tortenguss)
• 9 Tbsp sugar
• 700 ml water

Instructions:

Make the Sponge Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 175C (350F).
• Cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing for about 30 seconds after each addition.
• Stir in the milk.
• Combine the flour and baking powder, then gradually mix into the batter.
• Spread the batter evenly into a greased 9X13-inch baking pan. I use a baking frame for clean edges.
• Bake for about 15 minutes.
• Allow the cake to cool slightly while preparing the vanilla pudding. Leave the oven on as you will need to bake the cake for an additional 5-10 minutes once the vanilla cream filling is done.

Make the Vanilla Cream Filling:

• Prepare the vanilla pudding with the sugar and milk according to the package directions. If making the vanilla pudding from scratch use my recipe here.
• Let the pudding cool completely.
• Fold the sour cream into the cooled pudding until smooth.
• Spread the cream evenly over the baked cake.
• Return the cake to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
• Cool completely.

Make the Glaze:

• Arrange the strawberries evenly over the cooled cake.
• Mix the glaze powder, sugar, and water.
• Bring to a boil while stirring constantly until thickened.
• Let glaze cool slightly.
• Carefully pour the glaze over the strawberries.
• Refrigerate until completely set before slicing.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Cake:

• Pat fresh strawberries dry before adding them to the cake.
• Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
• Chill the cake for 20 minutes before slicing for cleaner pieces.
• Use room-temperature ingredients for the best texture.

How to Store:

• Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Freeze cake sponge only and decorate once thawed in the refrigerator overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can I use frozen strawberries? No because the strawberries would be too wet and mushy. Use only fresh strawberries.
• Can I make cupcakes? Absolutely! Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full and bake for 18-22 minutes. Assemble cupcakes with vanilla cream filling and strawberries.
• Can I make it ahead of time? Yes. Bake the sponge cake a day in advance and decorate just before serving.

This homemade strawberry cake is so nostalgic for me, I remember my mom would always make this cake for my birthday which is in July during strawberry season, it holds a special place in my heart. Some recipes instantly take you back to childhood, and this classic German Strawberry Slice is one of them. Whether it is served on a warm summer afternoon, shared over coffee, this is the kind of recipe that reminds us that the best family traditions are often found in the kitchen. If you have tried this recipe, please leave a comment below I would love to hear your feedback.

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