Description
A light, fruity layer cake with strawberry-flavored sponge, tangy lemon cream filling, and a silky cream cheese frosting — topped with fresh strawberries and lemon slices for a refreshing finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup fresh strawberry puree
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Pink food coloring (optional, for vibrant color)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh strawberries (for garnish)
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Mix in strawberry puree, lemon juice, and buttermilk alternately with the dry ingredients. Add pink food coloring if desired.
- Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold in lemon curd. Chill until ready to use.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix until fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread with lemon cream filling. Add second cake layer, more filling, then top with third cake layer.
- Frost entire cake with lemon cream cheese frosting. Garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon slices.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Store leftover cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add more lemon zest to the frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg