Strawberry Nesquik® Layer Cake

Two pink cake layers are delicately flavored with strawberry Nesquik®, frosted with cream cheese frosting, and filled with a sturdy whipped cream, making this a perfect summertime dessert.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 939 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons whole milk, or more as needed
• ½ cup strawberry-flavored milk powder (such as Nesquik®)
• ¾ cup chopped fresh strawberries
• 2 pinches salt, divided
• 4 eggs, separated, at room temperature
• 8 drops red food coloring, or as desired
• 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 2 cups cold heavy cream
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla-flavored pudding mix

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round layer cake pans.

Step 2

Cream sugar, butter, and strawberry powder together for cake until smooth and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add separated egg yolks 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla extract and red food coloring. Beat until color is consistent.

Step 3

Blend together flour, baking powder, and 1 pinch salt together in a separate bowl.

Step 4

Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk and blending after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat batter for 1 minute more.

Step 5

Beat egg whites and remaining pinch of salt together in a separate bowl using a mixer with a whip attachment until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in whipped egg whites until smooth and consistent. Pour batter into the prepared cake pans.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the layers comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 to 30 minutes. Flip cakes out and invert onto the wire rack to cool to room temperature.

Step 7

While the cake layers are cooling, combine cold heavy cream and confectioner's sugar in a clean mixing bowl. Whisk until cream begins to thicken and soft peaks form. Add pudding mix slowly while continuing to whisk; filling should be thick (almost dry) at this time. Add milk until mixture has a thick, smooth consistency. Fold in strawberries. Set filling aside.

Step 8

Beat cream cheese, butter, and shortening together in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer until creamy. Scrape down the bowl and add confectioner's sugar. Blend until smooth. Set frosting aside.

Step 9

Spread filling between the cooled cake layers. Frost the cake and decorate as desired.