Indulge in Paula Deen’s Luscious Strawberry Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prepare to delight your taste buds with Paula Deen’s Strawberry Cake, a truly enchanting dessert that promises a burst of fresh strawberry flavor in every single bite. This luscious layer cake recipe is remarkably easy to follow, making it a perfect choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros. Featuring a wonderfully moist crumb, a vibrant strawberry hue, and a generous topping of tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting, this cake embodies the comforting and decadent spirit of Southern baking. It’s not just a cake; it’s an experience, bringing smiles and sweet memories to any gathering.

The Paula Deen Strawberry Cake Recipe stands out for its incredible richness and unparalleled deliciousness. Each forkful reveals a moist, tender crumb that is utterly decadent. Having thoroughly enjoyed many of her other classic Southern desserts, such as her Pecan Pie, the legendary Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, and her delightful Banana Pudding, it’s clear that Paula Deen truly is the queen of Southern cooking. Her recipes consistently deliver comfort and flavor, and this Strawberry Cake is no exception. It joins the ranks of other beloved treats, like her Pumpkin Bars, as a definite crowd-pleaser.

This new Strawberry Cake recipe is an absolute triumph. It’s a visually stunning and delightfully simple layered cake recipe, perfect for celebrations or a delightful weeknight treat. If you’re seeking a slightly lighter alternative with a similar fruity profile, you might enjoy a Strawberry Angel Food Cake or a classic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe, both fantastic Easy Summer Desserts. For more strawberry inspiration, don’t miss out on recipes like the fun Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake, charming Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats, or the incredibly simple Strawberry Dump Cake.

Why You’ll Adore This Strawberry Cake

This Paula Deen Strawberry Cake isn’t just another dessert; it’s a celebration of flavor and texture that will quickly become a cherished recipe in your home. Here’s why we, and soon you, will absolutely love it:

• Layers of Irresistible Flavor and Texture: Each bite offers a delightful experience with its tender, flavorful cake layers. The vivid pink color is as appealing to the eyes as the taste is to the palate. It’s a truly delicious and visually stunning treat perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant celebrations.
• Decadent Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: The frosting is a masterpiece in itself. Its rich, creamy texture and perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes elevate the cake to new heights. Infused with real strawberry puree, it complements the cake beautifully, creating an indulgent finish that everyone will crave.
• Surprisingly Simple to Make: Despite its impressive appearance and gourmet taste, this layered cake is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Utilizing a cake mix and Jell-O simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor or quality, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• A Taste of Southern Charm: Paula Deen’s recipes are synonymous with Southern comfort and hospitality. This strawberry cake brings that warm, inviting feeling to your kitchen, offering a slice of pure joy reminiscent of homemade desserts from simpler times.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, a potluck, or just a desire for something sweet and comforting, this cake fits the bill. Its vibrant color and fresh berry taste make it particularly wonderful for spring and summer gatherings.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

To whip up this delightful Paula Deen Strawberry Cake, having the right tools on hand will make the process smooth and enjoyable. Here’s a list of essential kitchen equipment:

• Round Cake Pans (Two 9-inch): Essential for baking perfectly shaped layers.
• Parchment Paper: To line the cake pans, ensuring the cakes don’t stick and release easily.
• Food Processor or Blender: Crucial for pureeing the frozen strawberries into a smooth consistency for both the cake and the frosting.
• Large Mixing Bowls (2): One for the cake batter and another for the frosting ingredients.
• Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand Mixer): Absolutely necessary for creaming butter and cream cheese, and for achieving a smooth, lump-free batter and frosting.
• Rubber Spatula: For scraping down the sides of bowls and gently folding ingredients.
• Wire Rack: For cooling the cake layers completely before frosting.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurement of all ingredients.
• Whisk: For initially combining dry ingredients for the cake.
• Sifter or Fine-Mesh Sieve: Recommended for sifting powdered sugar to ensure a super smooth frosting.
• Toothpicks: To test the doneness of your cake layers.
• Offset Spatula (Optional): Great for evenly spreading frosting between layers and on the sides of the cake for a professional finish.

Ingredients for Your Cake

Key Cake Ingredients Explained

• White Cake Mix: This recipe cleverly starts with a white cake mix for convenience, ensuring a consistent base and making the baking process quick and simple. Feel free to use your favorite brand; it provides a neutral canvas for the vibrant strawberry flavor.
• Strawberry Jell-O: The secret weapon for an intense strawberry flavor and a beautiful pink hue! This instant gelatin powder not only boosts the berry taste but also contributes significantly to the cake’s incredible moisture, creating a tender and fluffy texture.
• Frozen Strawberries: While fresh strawberries are lovely for garnish, frozen strawberries are preferred for pureeing in this recipe. They offer consistent flavor and texture year-round and create a more concentrated puree, intensifying the strawberry essence throughout the cake.
• Large Eggs: Eggs provide structure, richness, and help bind the ingredients together. Using large eggs is standard for most baking recipes and ensures proper moisture and rise.
• Vegetable Oil: Contributes to the cake’s moistness and tender crumb. Unlike butter, oil remains liquid at room temperature, making the cake softer and more succulent.
• Water: Used to achieve the perfect batter consistency, ensuring the cake bakes evenly and maintains its delicate texture.

Decadent Frosting Ingredients

• Butter (Softened): Use real unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. This is crucial for achieving a smooth, creamy frosting texture. It provides a rich, foundational flavor.
• Cream Cheese (Softened): Softened at room temperature, cream cheese is the star of this frosting, lending its signature tangy flavor and incredibly smooth, luxurious texture that perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake.
• Frozen Strawberries (Pureed): A small amount of the same pureed frozen strawberries used in the cake is incorporated into the frosting. This infuses the frosting with natural strawberry flavor and a lovely pink tint.
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): The primary sweetener for the frosting. Sifting it is highly recommended to eliminate any lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth, easy-to-spread consistency.
• Fresh Strawberries: These are reserved for garnishing the finished cake, adding a fresh burst of flavor and a beautiful visual appeal when serving.

You can find the complete, detailed list of ingredients with precise measurements for the entire recipe at the bottom of this post in the dedicated recipe card.

Step-by-Step Baking & Frosting Guide

Follow these easy instructions to create your magnificent Paula Deen Strawberry Cake:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pans. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans and then line the bottoms with parchment paper. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your beautiful cake layers release perfectly.

Step 2: Puree Strawberries and Combine Dry Ingredients. In a food processor or blender, puree the frozen strawberries until smooth. Set aside. Next, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the white cake mix and the strawberry instant gelatin powder thoroughly. This ensures the strawberry flavor is evenly distributed throughout the cake batter.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients to Cake Batter. Now, add 15 ounces of the prepared strawberry puree, eggs, vegetable oil, and water to the cake mix and gelatin mixture. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until the batter is completely smooth and all ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dry cake.

Step 4: Bake the Cake Layers. Divide the cake batter evenly between your two prepared round pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. Once baked, let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before carefully inverting them onto wire racks to cool completely. This prevents them from falling apart.

Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting Base. In another large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and softened cream cheese using an electric mixer. Continue beating on medium speed until the mixture is incredibly smooth and wonderfully creamy. This forms the essential base for your rich strawberry frosting.

Step 6: Add Strawberry Puree to Frosting. Now, add the remaining 2 ounces of strawberry puree (from your initial batch) to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Mix until it’s fully combined and the frosting has taken on a beautiful, delicate pink hue and a fresh strawberry aroma.

Step 7: Finish the Frosting. Reduce your mixer speed to low. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the frosting is silky smooth, perfectly combined, and reaches your desired consistency. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost the Cake. Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate. Spread approximately one-third of the strawberry cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Carefully place the second cake layer on top. Use the remaining frosting to generously cover the sides and top of the entire cake. For an extra touch of sweetness, this cake is also wonderful with a drizzle of Cream Cheese Glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paula Deen Strawberry Cake

Here are some common questions to help you master this delicious recipe:

Pro Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Cake

Achieving a bakery-worthy strawberry cake is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Always use room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese for both the cake batter and the frosting. This ensures all ingredients emulsify properly, resulting in a smooth, evenly mixed batter and a light, fluffy frosting. Cold ingredients can lead to a lumpy frosting and a denser cake.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the wet ingredients to the dry mix, beat until just combined and smooth. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dry cake.
• Prevent Overbaking: Keep a close eye on your cakes in the oven. Bake only until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking is the quickest way to end up with a dry, crumbly cake.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: This tip cannot be stressed enough! Your cake layers must be completely cool to the touch before you even think about applying frosting. Warm cakes will melt the frosting, leading to a runny, messy cake.
• Sift Your Powdered Sugar: For the silkiest, smoothest cream cheese frosting, take the extra minute to sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the butter and cream cheese mixture. This removes any lumps, ensuring a beautiful, uniform frosting texture.
• Level Your Cake Layers: If your cake layers bake with domed tops, use a serrated knife or a cake leveler to carefully trim them flat once cooled. This creates a much more stable and professional-looking layer cake.
• Chill the Frosted Cake: After frosting, refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This helps the frosting set, making it easier to slice and serve, and enhancing the overall texture.
• For Brighter Color: If you desire an even more vibrant pink hue in your cake or frosting, you can add a drop or two of red or pink food coloring, especially if your strawberries aren’t super rich in color.
• Freezing Instructions: To freeze, wrap individual slices or unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving or frosting.

Serving and Variation Suggestions

This Paula Deen Strawberry Cake is delightful on its own, but here are some ideas to make it even more special:

• Garnish Generously: Always finish your cake with fresh strawberry slices or whole berries. A few mint leaves can add a lovely pop of green and a fresh aroma.
• A Scoop of Ice Cream: Serve a slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
• Strawberry Sauce Drizzle: For an ultimate strawberry experience, drizzle a simple homemade strawberry sauce (made from pureed fresh strawberries and a touch of sugar) over each slice.
• Lemon Zest Addition: For a bright, zesty twist, add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest to both the cake batter and the frosting. Strawberry and lemon are a classic pairing!
• Coconut Delight: Fold a half cup of shredded coconut into the cake batter and sprinkle some over the frosting for a tropical twist.
• White Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in a cup of white chocolate chips into the cake batter just before pouring into pans for an added layer of sweetness and texture.

More Delicious Cake Recipes to Try

If you loved this strawberry sensation, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other fantastic cake recipes that promise to impress:

• Best Red Velvet Cake Recipe
• Cinnamon Roll Cake Recipe
• Carrot Cake Recipe
• 2-Ingredient Strawberry Angel Food Cake
• Easy Homemade Zucchini Cake Recipe
• Mardi Gras King Cake Recipe

We encourage you to try Paula Deen’s incredible recipe for Strawberry Cake and share your experience. Please leave a comment and let us know how much you loved it!