Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling 30 Minute Prep

Nothing beats the heavenly combination of fluffy vanilla cake layers embracing sweet, juicy strawberry filling that melts in your mouth with every bite. This classic vanilla cake with strawberry filling brings together the perfect balance of creamy vanilla sweetness and fresh berry tang that’ll have your family begging for seconds.

Here’s a fun fact: strawberries were once considered an aphrodisiac in ancient Rome, making this cake not just delicious but historically romantic! This recipe is incredibly simple to master, takes just 45 minutes of active prep time, and creates a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration.

Unlike our popular chocolate fudge cake, this lighter option offers a refreshing twist that’s perfect for spring and summer gatherings, making it an instant crowd-pleaser that’ll become your go-to celebration cake.

What is Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling?

Ever wondered why we call it “vanilla cake with strawberry filling” instead of just strawberry cake? Well, the magic lies in the layers! This isn’t just any ordinary cake – it’s a beautiful marriage of tender vanilla sponge cake embracing luscious strawberry goodness right in the middle.

Picture this: your grandmother’s secret vanilla cake recipe meeting summer’s sweetest strawberries in the most delightful way possible. As they say, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” and this cake definitely knows the shortcut! Ready to create some sweet memories in your kitchen?

Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling

Fresh and Flavorful Combination

This vanilla cake with strawberry filling delivers an irresistible contrast between the delicate, buttery vanilla cake and the bright, tangy strawberry filling that bursts with natural sweetness. Each bite offers a perfect symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds.

Budget-Friendly Homemade Goodness

Making this vanilla cake with strawberry filling at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a bakery. You’ll save money while controlling every ingredient, ensuring freshness and quality that store-bought versions simply can’t match.

Customizable and Impressive

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – you can adjust the strawberry filling’s sweetness, add fresh berries between layers, or even incorporate cream cheese frosting for extra richness. Unlike our dense carrot cake recipe, this lighter option allows for endless creative variations that always impress guests.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and create a masterpiece that’ll have everyone asking for your secret recipe!

How to Make Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling

Quick Overview

This vanilla cake with strawberry filling combines simplicity with elegance, featuring moist vanilla cake layers and a luscious strawberry filling that’s bursting with fresh flavor.

Preparation Time:

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 25-30 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Assembly Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Key Ingredients for Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling

For the Vanilla Cake:

2½ cups all-purpose flour
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1¾ cups granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1¼ cups whole milk

For the Strawberry Filling:

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

For Assembly:

1 cup heavy cream for whipping
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Fresh strawberries for decoration

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Strawberry Filling:

Cook the strawberries: In a medium saucepan, combine diced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until strawberries release their juices.
Thicken the mixture: Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Add this to the strawberry mixture and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Prepare whipped cream: In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Gently fold the cooled strawberry mixture into the whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Making the Vanilla Cake:

Prepare your pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar: In another large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
Alternate wet and dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix until just combined – don’t overmix.
Bake the cakes: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool completely: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before assembling.

Assembly:

Prepare final whipped cream: Whip remaining heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
Layer the cake: Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread strawberry filling evenly over the top, leaving a small border around edges.
Add second layer: Gently place second cake layer on top. Frost entire cake with whipped cream.
Decorate: Garnish with fresh strawberries and serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

What to Serve Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling With

This delightful vanilla cake with strawberry filling pairs beautifully with several complementary options:

Beverages:

Freshly brewed coffee or espresso
Earl Grey or chamomile tea
Sparkling water with lemon
Champagne or prosecco for celebrations

Accompaniments:

Vanilla ice cream or strawberry sorbet
Fresh mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries)
Mint leaves for a fresh garnish
Light fruit salad with citrus dressing

Top Tips for Perfecting Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling

Room Temperature Ingredients

Ensure all ingredients, especially eggs, butter, and milk, are at room temperature before mixing. This creates a smoother batter and more even cake texture.

Don’t Overmix the Batter

Mix the cake batter just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough, dense cake instead of the light, fluffy texture you want.

Test for Doneness Properly

Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake – it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, not completely clean or with wet batter.

Cool Completely Before Assembly

Rushing the cooling process will cause your strawberry filling and whipped cream to melt and slide off the cake. Patience pays off with perfect layers.

Ingredient Substitutions

Replace fresh strawberries with frozen (thawed and drained) if needed. You can substitute buttermilk for regular milk for extra tang, or use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for an even more tender crumb.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Refrigerator Storage: Store your assembled vanilla cake with strawberry filling in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days. The whipped cream and strawberry filling require refrigeration to maintain food safety and quality.

Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months. Wrap each layer tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before assembling. The assembled cake with whipped cream filling doesn’t freeze well due to texture changes.

Serving After Storage: Remove the cake from refrigeration 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to come to room temperature. This enhances the cake’s taste and makes it easier to slice cleanly.

Individual Slice Storage: Cut leftover cake into individual slices and store in airtight containers. This makes it easy to grab a quick dessert and helps maintain freshness longer.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Per Slice (1/12 of cake)
Calories	285
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	7g
Cholesterol	65mg
Sodium	180mg
Total Carbohydrates	42g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	28g
Protein	5g
Vitamin C	15mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this vanilla cake with strawberry filling ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cake layers up to 2 days in advance and store them wrapped at room temperature. The strawberry filling can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Assemble the cake on the day you plan to serve it for best results.

What’s the best way to keep the cake layers from sliding?

Make sure your cake layers are completely cool before assembly. You can also insert wooden dowels or toothpicks through the center to help stabilize the layers, removing them before serving.

Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?

Absolutely! Thaw frozen strawberries completely and drain excess liquid before using. You may need to cook the mixture a bit longer to achieve the proper thickness since frozen berries release more moisture.

How do I prevent the whipped cream from deflating?

Keep your bowl and beaters chilled before whipping cream. Don’t overwhip – stop as soon as you reach desired consistency. Fold ingredients gently and refrigerate the assembled cake to help maintain structure.

Can I substitute the strawberry filling with other fruits?

Yes! This recipe works wonderfully with raspberries, blueberries, or even mixed berries. Adjust sugar content based on the natural sweetness of your chosen fruit.

Why did my cake turn out dense instead of fluffy?

Dense cake usually results from overmixing the batter, using ingredients that aren’t at room temperature, or measuring flour incorrectly. Spoon flour into measuring cups and level off for accuracy.

How can I make this cake more stable for transport?

Use a cake carrier or large container with a lid. You can also chill the assembled cake for 30 minutes before transport to help firm up the whipped cream layers.

What if I don’t have cake pans?

You can use any similar-sized round pans, though baking time may vary slightly. 8-inch pans will create taller layers, while larger pans will create thinner layers.

Additional Helpful Tips for Success

Measuring Accuracy: Use a kitchen scale for most accurate results, especially for flour. If using measuring cups, spoon flour lightly into the cup and level with a knife – don’t pack or scoop directly from the bag.

Altitude Adjustments: If baking at high altitude (above 3,000 feet), reduce baking powder by ¼ teaspoon, increase liquid by 2-4 tablespoons, and raise oven temperature by 15-25°F.

Professional Presentation: For bakery-style presentation, use an offset spatula to create smooth frosting, pipe decorative borders with remaining whipped cream, and arrange fresh strawberry halves in an attractive pattern on top.

Flavor Variations: Transform this basic recipe by adding lemon zest to the cake batter, incorporating almond extract alongside vanilla, or mixing fresh mint into the strawberry filling for a gourmet twist.

Make-Ahead Strategy: Bake cake layers and freeze them up to 1 month ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. This actually helps create more tender, moist layers as the freezing process breaks down some of the cake’s structure in a beneficial way.

This comprehensive vanilla cake with strawberry filling recipe delivers bakery-quality results in your own kitchen, creating memories and satisfying sweet cravings with every perfectly balanced bite!