Red Velvet Strawberry Cake
Red Velvet Strawberry Cake is the ultimate dessert for special occasions. With its bold red layers, creamy frosting, and juicy strawberries, it strikes the perfect balance between indulgent and refreshing. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just want to impress your guests, this cake is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is designed for both novice and experienced bakers who want a cake that looks impressive without requiring overly complicated steps. It’s moist, flavorful, and versatile, making it a crowd-pleaser every time. Plus, the combination of strawberries and cream cheese frosting ensures each bite has the perfect mix of sweetness and tang.
- Showstopping look – the striking red cake and fresh strawberries make for a gorgeous centerpiece.
- Perfect flavor balance – the slight cocoa undertone of red velvet pairs beautifully with tangy cream cheese frosting and sweet strawberries.
- Beginner-friendly – this recipe uses simple steps and everyday ingredients.
- Versatile – great for birthdays, holidays, or even casual gatherings.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approx.)
While Red Velvet Strawberry Cake feels indulgent, it’s always good to know what’s in each slice. Understanding the nutritional breakdown helps you enjoy this dessert responsibly, especially if you’re serving it at a party or want to balance it with lighter meals throughout the day.
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Sugar: 35g
- Protein: 5g
(Values may vary depending on portion size and ingredients used.)
Time Breakdown
Knowing how much time a recipe takes helps you plan ahead. From mixing the batter to baking, cooling, and decorating, this cake fits neatly into a couple of hours. With good timing, you can bake it in the afternoon and serve it beautifully in the evening.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Baking Time: 30 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Frosting & Assembly: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great recipe starts with quality ingredients. This cake uses simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, cocoa, and eggs, paired with cream cheese and strawberries to elevate the flavors. Each ingredient plays a role in creating that iconic velvety texture and stunning presentation.
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vinegar
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Garnish:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- Whole strawberries for decoration
Condensed Grocery Checklist
Shopping for a cake doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A simplified checklist ensures you grab exactly what you need without any extras. By sticking to the essentials, you save time and money while staying focused on the recipe’s star ingredients.
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Buttermilk (or milk + vinegar/lemon juice substitute)
- Red food coloring
- Vanilla extract
- Vinegar
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
How to Make – Step by Step
Baking a layered cake may sound intimidating, but this recipe breaks the process into approachable steps. From preparing the batter to assembling and frosting, each stage is explained clearly so you can bake with confidence and achieve bakery-quality results at home.
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Prepare wet mixture: Beat sugar and oil until smooth. Add eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar.
- Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Assemble: Spread frosting between cake layers, add sliced strawberries in the middle, then frost the outside.
- Decorate: Garnish with whole strawberries on top for a stunning finish.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
Not everyone has the same pantry or dietary needs. This section offers easy substitutions and creative twists so you can adapt the recipe. Whether you need a gluten-free option, want to reduce the fat, or simply add a new flavor layer, there’s flexibility built right in.
- No buttermilk? Use 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice.
- Healthier version: Replace half the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Flavor twist: Add a layer of strawberry jam between the cakes for extra sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
Presentation is just as important as taste when it comes to cakes. Serving suggestions help you elevate your dessert — from pairing it with beverages to dressing it up with extra garnishes. With the right touches, this cake becomes the centerpiece of any table.
- Serve with fresh whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Pair with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk.
- For a party, decorate with chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Storing Tips
Cakes are best enjoyed fresh, but knowing how to properly store them keeps every slice delicious for days. With the right methods, you can maintain the cake’s moisture, preserve the frosting, and even freeze layers in advance to save time.
- Room temperature: Keep covered for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
Chef’s Special Tips
Sometimes it’s the little details that make all the difference. These professional-style tips help you perfect the color, texture, and finish of your cake, ensuring it looks as good as it tastes. A few clever tricks can take your baking from good to unforgettable.
- For brighter color, use gel food coloring instead of liquid.
- Level your cake layers with a serrated knife for a neat, professional look.
- Chill the cake for 20 minutes before slicing to keep the layers firm and clean.
- Use cold strawberries so they stay fresh and don’t release too much juice.
Conclusion
Red Velvet Strawberry Cake is the ultimate celebration dessert: bold, elegant, and full of flavor. With its velvety crumb, creamy frosting, and fresh strawberry garnish, it’s guaranteed to wow your family and friends. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers a cake that looks as good as it tastes. Bake it for your next special occasion and watch it disappear slice by slice!.