This light strawberry layer cake recipe creates a pink and white layer cake with a rich strawberry cream cheese filling and a whipped cream frosting.
Preparation Time
45 mins
Cooking Time
15 mins
Total Time
60 mins
Calories
531 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line three 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
Step 2
Bake cakes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Line a large wire rack with parchment paper. Invert cakes onto the rack; let cool completely.
Step 3
Set aside 9 to 12 whole strawberries for decoration. Chop remaining strawberries and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 4
Beat cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour 1/3 of the batter into one of the prepared pans. Mix 1/2 of the strawberry gelatin and 2 teaspoons strawberry extract into remaining batter. Divide evenly between remaining 2 pans.
Step 5
Beat cream cheese with remaining 1/2 of the strawberry gelatin. Add remaining 2 teaspoons strawberry extract and confectioners' sugar; beat until filling is smooth. Fold in chopped strawberries.
Step 6
Place 1 pink layer on a cake plate. Cover with 1/2 of the strawberry filling. Top with one plain cake layer. Cover with remaining strawberry filling and position second pink layer on top.
Step 7
Beat cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract together in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Place a piece of parchment paper on top. Run spatula over the paper to smooth the top. Peel off the paper.
Step 8
Pipe 9 to 12 swirls of frosting around rim of cake; place whole strawberries on top.
Ingredients
3 eggs
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup water
1 pint heavy cream
2 cups fresh strawberries
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O®)
4 teaspoons strawberry extract, divided
0.5 cup vegetable oil
1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix (such as Pillsbury® Moist Supreme Classic
