Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

If you’re a fan of fresh strawberries, then this Homemade Strawberry Buttermilk Cake is the perfect dessert for you! Made with real strawberries and buttermilk, this cake is moist, flavorful, and perfect for spring. When they come into season, strawberries are my favorite fruit to bake with, and this recipe is a great way to use them.

Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Easter, or any occasion when strawberries are in season, this family favorite is just the best. I love that this is a simple dessert that comes together quickly and can be used with any seasonal fruit.  

Use Fresh Strawberries:

The key to a delicious strawberry cake is using fresh strawberries. When they’re in season and at their peak of ripeness, they’ll have the best flavor and natural sweetness. Hull and halve the strawberries for the cake, and then you can slice some for the topping.

Buttermilk:

Buttermilk is an important ingredient in this cake as it adds moisture and a tender crumb. It also helps to activate the leavening agents, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. Make sure to use buttermilk at room temperature to ensure it mixes well with the other ingredients in the cake batter. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes until it thickens and curdles.

Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

Ingredients needed for Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Egg
  • Buttermilk
  • Fresh strawberries
  • Whipped Cream

Supplies needed for Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe with Buttermilk:

  • Large Bowl
  • 8-9 inch cake pan
  • Electric mixer
  • Rubber Spatula

Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

Tips for a perfect cake that releases from the pan easily:

To achieve perfectly baked cake layers, make sure to prepare your cake pan properly. Grease and flour the pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal of the cake. This will prevent the cakes from sticking to the pan and ensure it comes out cleanly. Also, remember to preheat your oven to the correct temperature and bake the cake in the center of the oven for even baking. Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure they bake evenly. The cake will be golden brown when done and a toothpick inserted into the center will come back with a few moist crumbs.

Mixing the Cake Batter and Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl with a hand mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer, use a medium speed to ensure that the ingredients are well combined without over-mixing. You especially want to be careful when adding the flour mixture. Mix just until you no longer see dry spots or streaks in the batter. Over-mixing can result in a tough cake, so be careful not to go too fast or mix too much.

Pour batter into the prepared pan and place the halved strawberries right on top of the batter. The baking time will be around 20 minutes but may depend on your oven.

While the cake bakes you can make the whipped cream (the perfect topping and my favorite,) and slice the strawberries. I like to drizzle them in honey to release some of the juices.

Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

Get Creative with the toppings:

While this strawberry buttermilk cake is delicious on its own, you can take it to the next level with creative frosting and filling options.

Cream cheese frosting pairs wonderfully with the sweet and tangy flavors of the strawberry cake. You can also make some strawberry puree, use strawberry jam, strawberry compote or more fresh strawberries for an extra burst of flavor. Either mix it into the whipped cream or frosting to make strawberry buttercream!

Another option is to add some chopped fresh berries to the frosting for added texture and flavor. A simple whipped cream with fresh strawberries on top of the cake is always wonderful too!

Any pink lovers in your house? Crush up some freeze-dried strawberries to make “strawberry powder” and add them to your whipped cream or frosting for extra real strawberry flavor and a touch of pink color!

Want to make the cake in advance? You can cook the cake and wrap it with a layer of plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to a week before serving. You could also place the wrapped cake into an airtight container and freeze for up to a month!

Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

Homemade Strawberry Cake with Buttermilk

Yield: 1 - 8 inch cake

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 cup strawberries, sliced

For the topping:

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 cup diced strawberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat well.
  4. At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, being careful not to over-mix.
  5. Spoon batter into pan, smoothing top with a spoon. Scatter berries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar.
  6. Bake until cake is golden and a cake tester/toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool until room temperature.

For the topping:

  1. While cake bakes, toss chopped strawberries with 1 teaspoon honey and let sit and get juicy for at least an hour.
  2. Using a cold bowl and cold beaters, whip the cream until stiff and stir in the remaining teaspoon of honey. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake and top with the macerated berries.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Gourmet

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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119 Comments

  1. Wow! That cake looks incredible! I love that it can be adapted for whatever berries are in season, too.

  2. I have been needing some strawberry recipes. I just planted six strawberry plants!

  3. I need a dessert for the weekend and this looks perfect! Thanks for posting. LOVE strawberries.

  4. You just reminded me to get planting some strawberries… moving kind of threw off my usual schedule. Awesome giveaway too, I was just saying this morning that I need some new cake pans.

  5. Fuity desserts in the summer are so great. Very healthy with the fresh fruits. Thanks!

  6. This cake looks like a great Springtime treat. Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. I love easy berry cakes! This ones looks scrumptious!

  8. I loooooove the look of this cake!! So pretty.

  9. What a great recipe! And for a great cause! This will be perfect for a belated Mother’s Day dessert since I couldn’t spend Sunday with my mom. And she just happens to love strawberry shortcake!

  10. I just got a ton of fresh, amazing looking strawberries yesterday….now I know exactly what to do with them! FB Liked :)

  11. What a perfect and delicious way to use ALL of the strawberries in my fridge! Thank you so much!

  12. Strawberries and cake are two of my favorite things in the world! this looks great :)

  13. I “whipped” cancer 19 years ago and thank God daily for each new day I get.

  14. Um, yummmm! I always love a good cake with berries! Something not too sweet, but just right. And to add a touch of whipping cream? Thank you. I’ll definitely be giving this a try. (:

  15. I can’t wait to try this cake. It looks delicious. I am going to make it for my husband this weekend.

  16. This sounds like the perfect summer treat! Not too sweet and the tartness of the strawberries add a refreshing effect. Definitely trying this.

  17. That cake looks delicious! My husband would love it. I would also love to win!

  18. Love your recipes! I’ve emailed you several times and you always email right back. I love trying new recipes and so far they’ve all turned out great. Today I’m making strawberry margarita cupcakes. Can’t wait!

  19. What a great cause and the cake looks like something I want to try right away!

  20. definately a keeper! want to try both with strawberries and again with peaches!! Yummmmmmmm

  21. I enjoyed the last yummy bite this morning (for breakfast no less). It was fun baking with you!!!

  22. I cannot wait to make this recipe! I just picked up buttermilk for pancakes this AM and will use the rest for this cake. Great giveaway and great cause!

  23. I’m going to make this – it sounds YUMMY. I’ve got strawberries, need to get the buttermilk. thanks for featuring such a great cause too!

  24. This looks like the perfect dessert! I wish I had this recipe for mothers day and I would have requested it from my hubby :-D

    I have liked the Help Whip Cancer Facebook page. Such a great cause!

  25. This looks amazing – what a pretty cake! Thank you for your efforts to raise money for a cure….

  26. Sounds so light and delicious! I love strawberry cake, I mean REALLY love strawberry cake!!! :)

  27. I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom, Linda. I agree- a cure for cancer needs to happen soon.

  28. I love simple and delicious recipes like this!! And i like that this is totally something the kids would enjoy helping create! Look forward to making this :D

  29. I’ve made a similar cake several times over the last few months. So easy! I usually swap out the vanilla extract for almond, though. And thank you for calling my attention to Pamper Chef’s Campaign. I know a lot of people who will jump on board!

  30. Making this today for my Dad! Thank you so much for being such an entertaining blogger to follow!

  31. Thanks for the chance! I liked on FB!
    family74014 at gmail dot com

  32. Love this! I have been looking for something different from the standard shortcake. Living in Florida and loving to bake, I have access to some very fresh strawberries, so i am always looking for new recipes.

  33. The cake looks awesome, can’t wait to try this for my next family gathering!

  34. What a great idea. The cake looks so delious. Can’t wait to try it out.

  35. This cake looks AMAZING! We will be having this tonight ;-) Thanks for the recipe!

  36. I Love, Love, Love strawberries and cake! I will be making this for this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, farmers market here I come. Thanks alot for sharing! {Suzette}

  37. I can’t wait to try your recipe! It looks so delicious. Strawberry cake is my fave!

  38. Mmm, i cant wait to make this and share it with my family and friends, thanks for the recipe

  39. Always need new cake recipes, definately will try it. Thank you :)

  40. Looks and sounds delicious. I plan to get the ingredients and make it for a specialty dessert to be served this weekend. I love recipes with buttermilk and can hardly wait to try it. My mother-in-law used to churn butter in Maine 3-4 times a week and I was always on hand for fresh buttermilk. It adds a special delicious element to foods.

  41. This is my kind of cake recipe… I’ll have to try it with the cherries off my dad’s tree!

  42. Just came home from the store with strawberries! Perfect timing! Can’t wait to try it!!!

  43. O…M…G!! This cake is fantastic. I used fresh mango because they’re in season right now. This will definitely be a go-to recipe for me.

  44. I love your recipes! Especially your banana bread, which I think I have whipped up at least a dozen times in the past 6 months! This recipe sounds great, but j have a question. What exactly is buttermilk? Is it the same as yoghurt? Thanks!

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