Easy Strawberry Cake Recipe
Craving a dessert that looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery but won’t have you sweating over the stove for hours? Look no further! My Easy Strawberry Cake is your new best friend. Starting with a boxed cake mix, you’ll whip up a creation that screams fancy without the fuss.
This delicious pink treat is a perfect summer dessert, packed with fresh strawberries and topped with cream cheese frosting. You’ll find any excuse to bake it—”Oh, it’s Wednesday? Cake time!” Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any day that ends in “y.” Bake, share, and enjoy all the compliments.
Easy Strawberry Cake: A Great Make-Ahead Dessert for Any Occasion
But who says you need a special occasion to indulge in this delectable Easy Strawberry Cake? Not me! I whipped up this delightful treat last weekend simply because I love cake.
As a self-proclaimed cake connoisseur (that’s a thing, right?), I’m just as happy with a slice of cake from a trusty boxed mix as I am with a fancy piece from an upscale bakery. That’s why my blog is bursting with cake recipes for every craving and occasion (you’re welcome). So go ahead, bake this strawberry dream cake anytime – because life’s too short to wait for special occasions to enjoy cake!
Cake Mixes: The Quick and Easy Option for Busy Families
Cake mixes are a lifesaver, especially for busy parents like me who manage a household with peanut allergies. Even though I don’t bake every day (who has the time?), there are moments when you need to whip up a dessert in a flash.
That’s where nut-free, allergy-friendly cake mixes come in handy! They’re quick and easy crowd-pleasers, making them a go-to solution for safe treats. So whether you’re a newbie baker or just pressed for time, cake mixes are your best friend in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Strawberry cake mix: I chose a Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme cake mix. However, if you’re adventurous, you can experiment with other brands or even try making your own. Read the ingredients to ensure the mix is peanut-free and safe for everyone.
- Fresh strawberries: The fresh fruit adds vibrant flavor and gives the cake a delightful texture that’s sure to make it a favorite.
Other Ingredients You Need to Make Your Easy Strawberry Cake
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Unsalted butter
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
This cake is topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements its moist, fruit-filled layers. The creamy, slightly tangy frosting balances the sweet, juicy strawberries, making each bite a delightful experience.
Easy Strawberry Cake: Prep, Mix and Bake
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees; grease the sides and bottom of the pan(s) and lightly sprinkle flour. Follow the instructions on the cake box and blend the dry ingredients: cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Finally, use a large spoon to fold in the diced strawberries.
Pour the batter into the pans and bake immediately according to their size. The last time, I used a bundt cake pan, but you can also do cupcakes (classroom party, anyone?). There are no hard and fast rules about using a standard 13×9-inch pan.
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool to room temperature before frosting it.
Always Double-Check for Nut Safety!
Before baking, double-check your cake mix box for any new warnings about cross-contamination or nut-containing ingredients. Food manufacturers frequently change their processes, so it’s crucial to stay vigilant.
It’s second nature now to review the ingredients every time I buy something. We have all experienced countless occasions where a trusted product suddenly has a tiny “may include” or “processed in a facility…”
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ready to whip up the delicious frosting? Here’s the secret: Beat the cream cheese while gradually adding butter at medium speed with a whisk attachment. Continue for 2-3 minutes until it’s smooth and perfectly blended.
Next, toss in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract all at once and mix until everything is velvety smooth. Once your cake cools, it’s decorating time!
Place your cake on a platter. Fill a piping bag with the cream cheese frosting, or if you’re feeling crafty, use a Ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Drizzle the frosting over the cake, then finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Voilà! Your Easy Strawberry Cake is ready to serve and impress.
Easy Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
Easy Strawberry Cake
- 1 box strawberry cake mix
- 3 eggs (per cake box instructions)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (per cake box instructions)
- 1 cup water (per cake box instructions)
- 1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries
- 2 3-3.5oz white chocolate pudding mix
- 4 cups milk
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 8oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 disposable piping bag or ziploc
Optional Additions
- 2 boxes( 3-3.5 oz) of white chocolate pudding mix
- 4 cups milk
Instructions
Easy Strawberry Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a bundt cake baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, whip the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water until well-blended and smooth.
- Slowly add the pound of finely chopped strawberries to the cake mixture.
- Pour cake batter evenly into a cake pan of your choice (even make cupcakes) and bake according to box instructions, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Place the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the butter 2 Tablespoons at a time, and continue beating until smooth and blended.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla at once and blend until combined and smooth.
Decorating Easy Cake with Cream Frosting
- Place the cake on a platter or plate of your choice.
- Cut the tip of the cream cheese piping bag (or fill a Ziploc bag and cut a very small corner to squeeze out frosting).
- Drizzle it over the cake and sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.
Creamy Pudding Addition
- Once your cake is baked and cooled for about 10 minutes, use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over.
- In a large bowl, mix the pudding mix with 4 cups of milk until it reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency.
- Transfer the pudding to a piping bag, cut off the tip, and pipe it into the holes you’ve created.
- Cover the cake with foil and let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or even overnight, to let the flavors meld together perfectly.
Notes
Adding a Twist to Your Easy Strawberry Cake
Consider transforming your strawberry cake into a poke cake for an extra indulgence! Once your cake is baked and cooled for about 10 minutes, poke holes with the bottom of a wooden spoon. In a large bowl, mix the pudding mix with 4 cups of milk until it reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency.
Transfer the pudding to a piping bag, cut off the tip, and pipe it into the holes you’ve created. Cover the cake with foil and let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld together perfectly. This little addition turns your already delicious cake into a creamy, dreamy dessert that’s sure to wow everyone!
I would love to hear about your favorite peanut allergy-safe and nut-free recipes. Feel free to comment below or connect with me on my Facebook page.
Has been requested for a 2nd family birthday cake! This was amazing!