Strawberry Cake

Looking for the best strawberry cake? This soft, moist triple layer strawberry cake is packed with bold strawberry flavor and topped with luscious strawberry cream cheese frosting.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry jello
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries (finely chopped)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, (softened)
• 1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2-3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder, (for stronger strawberry flavor and color)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Make the Cake: Preheat the Oven to 350°F (177°C). Line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray (I prefer the Baking nonstick cooking spray that contains flour). Set aside.
2. 2In a large bowl, mix all cake ingredients with an electric mixer on low until just combined. Scrape the side of the bowl, increase the mixer to medium, and beat for 3 minutes.
3. 3Pour cake batter into prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 23 minutes.
4. 4Cool cake in pans on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. If using the following recipe for Strawberry Buttercream refrigerate cakes until completely chilled.
5. 5Meanwhile, Make Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter (1 cup) and cream cheese (1 package) together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar (6 cups), beating on low speed until incorporated, then increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy.
6. 6Add the strawberry jam (1/2 cup), vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), and fine salt (1/4 teaspoon). Beat until smooth and well combined. If the frosting seems too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons of milk. If it’s too soft, beat in additional powdered sugar until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
7. 7Optional Flavor Boost. For deeper strawberry flavor and natural pink color, beat in 2–3 tablespoons finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries until fully incorporated.Use immediately to frost the cooled cake layers.