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Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 58 reviews

This Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake features moist white cake layers filled and topped with fresh macerated strawberries, homemade shortbread crumbs, and a silky whipped cream frosting stabilized with gelatin for perfect piping. The cake layers are tender and light, enriched with buttermilk and a touch of vegetable oil, while the assembled cake delivers a beautiful balance of sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors—a divine dessert perfect for celebrations and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

White Cake

  • 2 1/2 Cups (265g) sifted cake flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 Cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 Cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1/2 Cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 Cups (300ml) full-fat buttermilk, room temperature*

Baked Shortbread Crumbs

  • 3/4 Cups (90g) cake flour
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp (32g) granulated sugar
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp (42g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Strawberries

  • 3 Cups (480g) sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 Tbsp (40g) strawberry jam
  • 1 Tbsp (13g) granulated sugar

Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 1 tsp unflavored gelatin
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp cold water
  • 1 1/2 Cups (360ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1/2 Cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Make the White Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Prepare cake pans by spraying sides and lining bottoms with parchment. Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a stand mixer, beat butter until creamy, then add sugar and beat until fluffy. Slowly incorporate egg whites, then vegetable oil and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. Add flour mixture all at once, stir on low, then slowly add buttermilk and mix until combined. Divide batter into pans and bake 28–32 minutes until springy to the touch and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes then on a wire rack completely.
  2. Make the Shortbread Crumbs: Preheat oven to 250°F (121°C). Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in melted butter and vanilla until crumbly clusters form. Spread on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely before use.
  3. Prepare the Strawberries: Combine sliced strawberries, strawberry jam, and sugar in a bowl. Let macerate at room temperature or refrigerated while preparing frosting.
  4. Make the Whipped Cream Frosting: Chill mixer bowl for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and whisk until dissolved; set aside 5 minutes to bloom. Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla at low then high speed until thickened but not soft peaks. Gently microwave gelatin for 5-10 seconds to re-liquify if set, whisk smooth, then drizzle into cream while mixing on low speed. Increase speed to medium-high and whip to stiff peaks. Use immediately for piping.
  5. Assemble the Cake: Level cooled cake layers. Place the first layer on a cake board or stand. Brush some strawberry juice onto cake layer as soak. Pipe shells of whipped cream frosting around the edge with a Wilton 6B tip, filling the center with a second shell row. Spread about 1/3 cup of strawberries on top and sprinkle shortbread crumbs. Repeat layering with remaining cake layers, soaking, piping, strawberry topping, and crumbs. Optionally garnish with chamomile flowers.

Notes

  • *To make DIY buttermilk: add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 1/4 cups milk, let sit 5 minutes before using.
  • For best results, use room temperature ingredients for the cake batter to ensure proper mixing and texture.
  • Be careful not to overwhip the cream before adding gelatin to prevent curdling.
  • Chilling the cake layers before assembly can make leveling and decorating easier.
  • Stabilizing whipped cream with gelatin helps maintain firmness and shape, especially in warmer environments.

Keywords: strawberry shortcake, layer cake, whipped cream frosting, homemade cake, berry desserts, shortbread crumbs, summer cake

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/strawberry-shortcake-layer-cake-recipe/