Description
This vibrant strawberry cake uses freeze-dried berries to achieve a concentrated fruit flavor and a tender, silky crumb. Paired with a tangy strawberry cream cheese frosting, it is a foolproof dessert perfect for celebrations or a simple weekend treat.
Ingredients
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Egg whites
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- White vinegar
- Softened butter
- Pink gel food coloring
- Full-fat cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), grease three 8-inch round pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor or spice grinder until they become a fine powder.
- In a mixer bowl, combine the strawberry powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, mixing for one minute to distribute evenly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg whites, oil, vanilla, and vinegar.
- With the mixer on low, add the softened butter to the dry ingredients one tablespoon at a time until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour in one-third of the milk mixture and mix until a paste forms; scrape the bowl, add half of the remaining liquid, and beat on medium-low for three minutes.
- Add the rest of the liquid and pink food coloring, then beat for four minutes until the batter is silky and fluffy.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the tops spring back when touched.
- Cool in the pans briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the butter until smooth, add the cold cream cheese, strawberry powder, and salt, then gradually beat in powdered sugar and heavy cream.
- Level the cooled cake layers and assemble by stacking with frosting between the layers and over the exterior.
Notes
Using room temperature milk and egg whites is essential for ensuring the reverse-creaming method produces a perfectly emulsified and silky batter. If you find your frosting too soft, try chilling it for 15 minutes before decorating to help it hold its shape. For the most vibrant color without extra additives, ensure your strawberry powder is ground as finely as possible.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Reverse Creaming
- Cuisine: American