Seasonal Delight: The Ultimate Fresh Strawberry Layer Cake with Sweet Mascarpone Frosting

There’s an undeniable magic in the air when fresh strawberries reach their peak ripeness. This year, though a little late, the northern States are finally bursting with these vibrant red jewels, offering an extra sweet flavor that’s simply irresistible. When I think of celebrations, especially those marking the arrival of spring or special occasions like Mother’s Day, a homemade dessert brimming with the essence of fresh fruit always comes to mind. That’s why I’m thrilled to share with you our family’s cherished recipe for the ultimate Strawberry Layer Cake with Sweet Mascarpone Cheese Frosting. This isn’t just any cake; it’s a celebration of nature’s bounty, designed to delight with every single bite.

Imagine biting into a slice of cake where each tender layer is infused with real strawberry flavor and generously filled with fresh, juicy berries. That’s the promise of this recipe. The secret lies in using strawberries at their prime—picked when their color is a deep, vivid red, their skins shimmer with tiny seeds, and their aroma is intoxicating. This visual and aromatic appeal is just a prelude to the burst of sweet, slightly tart flavor that follows. It’s a dessert that not only tastes incredible but also looks like a work of art, a perfect centerpiece for any gathering.

This cake truly “SINGS spring,” even if unpredictable weather decides to send a late-season snow flurry our way, as it sometimes does in places like Colorado. To all my dear friends, no matter what the forecast says, whipping up this delightful cake is an instant remedy. Its bright flavors and cheerful appearance will transport you straight into a sunny spring day, filling your home with a comforting warmth and the irresistible scent of fresh berries and sweet cream. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to embrace the season with open arms and a fork in hand.

The Magic of Fresh Strawberry Puree

One of the elements that elevates this strawberry layer cake to extraordinary heights is the inclusion of homemade strawberry puree. This simple addition introduces another layer of rich, concentrated berry goodness that permeates the cake itself and can be used in countless other ways. Making strawberry puree is incredibly easy: simply blend fresh or frozen strawberries until smooth, then strain if you prefer a perfectly silky texture. For this cake, a portion of the puree is incorporated directly into the batter, ensuring that deep, authentic strawberry flavor in every crumb.

But the versatility of this vibrant puree doesn’t stop with the cake. You can make an additional batch—perhaps an extra two cups—to serve alongside your cake slices. Imagine a delicate slice of this strawberry cake resting on a small “pool” of luscious, ruby-red puree. It’s an elegant presentation that also amplifies the berry experience. Beyond dessert, this puree is fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, blended into morning smoothies for a healthful boost, layered in parfaits with yogurt and granola, or even as a refreshing mixer for summer cocktails. The best part? It freezes beautifully, allowing you to capture the essence of peak-season strawberries and enjoy their fresh taste throughout the winter months, whenever that longing for summer fruit strikes.

Crafting the Perfect Strawberry Layer Cake: Tips for Success

Achieving a show-stopping layer cake like this one requires attention to detail, but it’s entirely within reach for home bakers of all skill levels. Here are a few tips to ensure your Strawberry Layer Cake turns out perfectly:

Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth, even batter and light, fluffy cake layers, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together effectively, incorporating air and creating a stable emulsion.
Sifted Flour: Sifting cake flour before measuring and adding it to the batter ensures there are no lumps and that the flour is properly aerated, contributing to a tender cake texture. Don’t skip this step!
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough cake.
Even Layers: To ensure your cake layers bake evenly, divide the batter as equally as possible between the prepared pans. A kitchen scale can be very helpful here.
Cool Completely: Resist the urge to frost warm cakes. Warm cakes will melt the frosting, creating a messy situation. Allow your layers to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to frost.

The star of the frosting is mascarpone cheese, a luxurious Italian cream cheese known for its incredibly smooth, rich, and slightly sweet flavor. Combined with butter and powdered sugar, it creates an icing that is both stable enough for layering and wonderfully indulgent. The hint of butter extract further enhances the creamy, buttery notes, making this frosting truly unforgettable.

Strawberry Layer Cake & Sweet Mascarpone Cheese Icing

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Author: Roz
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Ingredients for Strawberry Layer Cake

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For the Cake Layers:

2 cups white sugar
1 (3 oz) package strawberry flavored gelatin
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
4 jumbo eggs (room temperature)
2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup whole milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup strawberry puree made from fresh or frozen strawberries (make an additional 2 cups of puree to drizzle over the cake slices or to lay the slices on top of a pool of puree).

For the Strawberry Filling:

1 to 2 cups of the mascarpone cheese frosting (ingredients listed next)
1–1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

For the Sweet Mascarpone Cheese Frosting:

1 cup butter, softened
2 8–oz packages/tubs mascarpone cheese, softened
8 cups powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
1 teaspoon butter extract

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Instructions for Baking and Assembly

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or three 8-inch round cake pans. Ensure the pans are thoroughly prepared to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and dry strawberry gelatin until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the jumbo eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure proper incorporation.
In a separate bowl, combine the sifted cake flour and baking powder. Whisk them together to ensure even distribution.
Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet batter, alternating with the whole milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined after each addition.
Gently blend in the strawberry puree and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The batter should be a beautiful pink hue.
Divide the cake batter evenly between your prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
Bake for 30 – 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a wooden skewer or knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow the freshly baked cakes to cool in their pans on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before attempting to remove them.
After 10 minutes, gently tap the cakes out of their pans onto the wire rack to finish cooling completely. They must be entirely cool before frosting.

To Prepare the Sweet Mascarpone Cheese Frosting and Assemble the Cake:

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, mascarpone cheese, powdered (confectioner’s) sugar, and butter extract together until the frosting is wonderfully creamy and smooth.
Once the cake layers are completely cool, place the first cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thick, even layer of the sweet mascarpone frosting over the top.
Evenly distribute a portion of the fresh, sliced strawberries over the frosting layer.
Carefully place the next cake layer on top, pressing gently to secure. Repeat with frosting and strawberries for additional layers if using three 8-inch pans.
Spread the remaining frosting generously over the top of the cake and all around the sides, creating a smooth or rustic finish as desired.
Garnish to decorate: Arrange large, beautiful fresh strawberries creatively on top of the cake. You can leave them whole, slice them, or halve them for a stunning presentation.