Last Updated on May 8, 2022

Fruit flavors are my absolute favorite when it comes to baking. My family loves them too and that is why I try to incorporate as much of them as I can into my cooking. Strawberry, in particular, is one of our staples. I used to buy boxes of strawberry cake mix but since I started investigating a bit into how to bake and discovered new techniques, I decided to try and make my own using as many fresh ingredients as I can. So today we bring you a strawberry cake recipe without gelatin that you are going to absolutely love.

This cake incorporates some advanced techniques but it is fairly simple and anyone can do it. I have taken my recipe and tips from Sally’s Baking Addiction. She is an absolute master and has cracked the code to the perfect way of making a strawberry cake.

It will take you about 1 and a half and it will yield 10 to 12 portions. You will need 2 9 by 13-inch baking pan.

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Strawberry Cake Recipe Without Gelatin: How to Make the Best One

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Cake

2 and 1/2 cups of sifted cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 and 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
5 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/3 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup of whole milk, at room temperature
1/2 cup of reduced strawberry puree
optional: 1-2 drops red or pink food coloring

For the Strawberry Frosting

1 cup of freeze-dried strawberries
one 8-ounce block full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 cups of confectioners’ sugar
1–2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
salt to taste

Try these 3 Delicious Homemade Frosting Recipes

Strawberry Cake Recipe Without Gelatin: How to Make It

Step 1

First, we need to make the puree. For this, you are going to need 1 pound of fresh strawberries and a food processor or a blender. Just cut them into pieces and allow the machine to do all the extra work until you have a smooth puree texture.

Step 2

The real problem with this is that people add this puree as-is into their cakes and it totally disrupts the liquid to flour ratio. Then you are forced to add more flour, making the cake dense. It is also not worth it, because the flavor is not there.

The ideal thing to do is to reduce this puree down on the stove. This will concentrate the strawberry flavor and get rid of all the extra water we do not need in our batter.

On high heat, stirring constantly, reduce the puree to half its size. You will end up with a very thick and very red mixture which is exactly what we need!

You will need to let the puree sit and cool. It is best to make it the day before and let it cool overnight in the fridge. If not, let a few hours go by before adding it to the batter.

Do not worry about the seeds, they will disappear completely in the baked cake.

Step 3

When you are ready to make the cake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Also, grease and flour 2 9 by 13-inch cake pans to avoid the cake sticking to them. You could use some parchment paper instead.

Step 4

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. These are the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5

In a stand mixer, cream the butter (it must be room temperature!) with the sugar until it is smooth and fluffy. This will take approximately 2 minutes. Do not forget to scrape the sides!

More Steps for Strawberry Cake Recipe Without Gelatin

Step 6

Separate your eggs into 5 egg whites and 5 yolks.

Step 7

Add your egg whites to the butter and sugar and mix them until well combined on high speed. It will take another 2 minutes.

Step 8

Add in the sour cream with the vanilla extract and also mix until combined.

Step 9

At low speed, start adding your dry ingredients gradually. Make sure you do not end up with flour on your face!

Step 10

Do not stop mixing on low and, very slowly, add the milk. Once it is combined, stop mixing. It is very important you do not overmix the cake!

Step 11

Add in the strawberry puree and the food coloring (just 1 drop) if you so wish. Whisk until the batter is smooth. It will have a thick texture.

Step 12

Pour evenly into your 2 cake pans and get them inside the preheated oven for 25 minutes approximately. Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick in their center. If it comes out clean, then you can take them out.

Step 13

Let cool for 10 minutes and then take out of the pans. Leave them to cool on a rack. They need to be completely at room temperature before frosting them.

Step 14

While they are baking, make the frosting. Take the freeze-dried strawberries and process them into a powder. You need ½ cup of this.

Step 15

Again in the stand mixer (you could also use a hand mixer and a large bowl) beat the cream cheese on high speed for a minute until it is fluffy.

Step 16

Beat in the butter and mix on high until well combined.

Step 17

Add the powdered sugar, strawberry powder, 1 tablespoon of milk and vanilla extract. Then beat until the frosting comes together into a creamy mix. If you need to thin it out, add another tablespoon of milk.

Step 18

You are ready to frost and assemble your cake! Level the cakes with a serrated knife and place them on a stand. Then fill the cake up and cover it with the remaining frosting once the second layer is on.

Let it cool for an hour in the fridge before serving, so that it holds its shape. You can decorate with fresh strawberries!

Did you like this recipe? Leave pictures of your creations down below!

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Karen Rutherford

Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.

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The Absolute Best Strawberry Cake Without Gelatin Recipe