Description
Fresh Strawberry Lemon Layer Cake is a vibrant, bakery-style dessert that pairs soft, lemon-scented cake layers with a juicy strawberry filling and a zesty lemon frosting. Light, fruity, and bursting with citrusy flavor, this layered cake is perfect for spring and summer celebrations, birthdays, or just because.
Ingredients
- For the Lemon Cake Layers:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla extract
- For the Strawberry Filling:
- Fresh strawberries (chopped)
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- For the Lemon Frosting:
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Heavy cream or milk (to adjust consistency)
- Vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pans:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two or three round cake pans. -
Make the Cake Batter:
In one bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined. -
Bake the Cake Layers:
Divide the batter evenly into pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before assembling. -
Make the Strawberry Filling:
In a saucepan, cook strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat until thickened. Add cornstarch if needed. Cool and chill. -
Prepare the Lemon Frosting:
Beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and cream until light and spreadable. -
Assemble the Cake:
Place the first cake layer on a plate, spread strawberry filling on top, then repeat with remaining layers. Frost the outside with lemon frosting. Garnish with fresh strawberries or lemon slices, if desired.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bake cake layers a day in advance. Wrap tightly and refrigerate or freeze. Assemble with fresh filling and frosting.
- Layer Tip: For easier slicing, chill the assembled cake for 30 minutes before serving.
- Customization: Add diced fresh strawberries to the batter or a thin layer of lemon curd between layers for extra punch.
