Indulge in the ultimate strawberry lover’s dream with this Best Ever Strawberry Cake! Bursting with real strawberry flavor, this cake is moist, fluffy, and topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a fruity dessert, this easy-to-make cake will be an instant favorite!
Why This Strawberry Cake Works
✔ Super Moist & Soft – Thanks to fresh strawberry puree, oil, and Jello, the cake is rich and tender.
✔ Packed with Real Strawberry Flavor – Fresh or frozen strawberries give this cake an authentic fruity taste.
✔ Easy & Foolproof – Uses a simple boxed cake mix hack to create a bakery-quality cake at home.
✔ Irresistible Cream Cheese Frosting – A smooth, tangy, and sweet topping that pairs perfectly with the cake.
✔ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for birthdays, summer picnics, or weekend treats!
What You’ll Need for This Recipe
Cake Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix
3 tbsp plain flour
1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jello
½ cup water
¾ cup canola oil (or any neutral oil)
2 cups fresh or frozen pureed strawberries (1 cup for cake, 1 cup for icing)
4 eggs
Cream Cheese Icing: (Adapted from Paula Deen’s recipe)
1 stick (½ cup) butter, softened
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup pureed strawberries (fresh or frozen, thawed)
3 cups powdered sugar
How to Make the Best Ever Strawberry Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, flour, strawberry Jello, and water. Stir to blend.
Add the oil and eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition.
Mix in 1 cup of pureed strawberries until fully incorporated.
Beat the batter for 2 minutes on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
How to Make the Cream Cheese Icing
Step 3: Mix the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy.
Add the pureed strawberries and mix until well combined.
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is light, creamy, and spreadable.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
For extra strawberry flavor, drizzle some pureed strawberries on top or garnish with fresh strawberries.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
Slice and serve your Best Ever Strawberry Cake, enjoying every moist, sweet, and fruity bite!
Tips + Tricks for Recipe Success
✔ Use Fresh Strawberries When in Season – For the best flavor, fresh strawberries work best, but frozen will also do the trick!
✔ Room Temperature Ingredients – Bring eggs, butter, and cream cheese to room temperature for a smoother batter and frosting.
✔ Don’t Skip the Cooling Step – Frosting the cake while it’s warm can cause the icing to melt. Let it cool completely first!
✔ Customize It! – Add chopped fresh strawberries or white chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture.
✔ For Layered Cake: Divide the batter between two 9-inch round cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes.
✔ For Cupcakes: Fill liners ¾ full and bake for 18-22 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
✅ Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best texture.
✅ Pair with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
✅ Garnish with mint leaves and fresh strawberries for a bakery-style look.
✅ Drizzle with strawberry syrup or melted white chocolate for an elegant touch.
Total Time & Nutrition
⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏱ Bake Time: 45 minutes
⏱ Total Time: 1 hour
✔ Calories per serving: ~350-400
✔ Carbs: 45g
✔ Protein: 4g
✔ Fat: 18g
Final Thoughts
This Best Ever Strawberry Cake is soft, moist, and bursting with strawberry goodness! Whether for a birthday, potluck, or weekend treat, this cake is sure to impress. Try it out, and let me know how it turns out! 🍓✨