This is the easiest Strawberry Cake with a soft and moist crumb, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor and you will love the strawberry sauce. Watch the video tutorial and see why this is one of our all-time favorite strawberry recipes.

Fresh strawberries add incredible flavor to desserts like our popular No-Bake Cheesecake, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, or Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes. I hope this Easy Strawberry Cake becomes a new favorite for you.

Easy strawberry cake dusted with powdered sugar with strawberry sauce in a pitcher on the side and surrounded by fresh strawberries

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Strawberry Cake Recipe

This strawberry cake is winning in every way: simple ingredients, easy to make, perfect for entertaining, and completely yummy. Everything about this cake is good. This is a crowd-pleasing dessert, but (so you can’t say I didn’t warn you) it disappears fast!

This recipe is based on our wildly popular Blueberry Cake which was an instant hit and continues to be one of the top cakes on our site. Just like with blueberries, fresh strawberries are wonderful on their own but when you bake them into a cake, their flavor is amplified and every bite is loaded with satisfying strawberry flavor.

Fresh Strawberry Cake Video

Part of what makes this such an easy cake is that there’s no frosting or layering required, but the flavor is definitely there, especially when you drizzle every slice with the super simple 2-ingredient strawberry sauce. It will make you want to lick your plate – it’s just THAT good and super versatile. Try it over Dutch Baby Pancakes, Waffles, and Crepes. It’s also delicious over French Toast.

Slice of easy strawberry cake drizzled with strawberry sauce

Ingredients

The ingredients here are pantry staples. This cake is loaded with fresh strawberries inside and out. Between the cake and sauce, you will need almost 2 pounds of strawberries.

The easy strawberry sauce has only 2 ingredients (strawberries and sugar) and comes together quickly in a food processor or blender. Here’s what you will need to make this simple strawberry cake:

  • Eggs – make sure they are at room temperature
  • Granulated sugar – sugar is used for both the cake and the strawberry sauce and you can add sugar to taste if you have very sweet or very tart strawberries
  • Sour cream – adds flavor and richness to the cake
  • Oil – creates a soft and moist crumb. You can use either extra light olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract – we love using Homemade Vanilla Extract for the best quality and flavor
  • All-purpose flour – forms a soft crumb without being too dense or heavy
  • Baking powder – leavening that gives rise to the cake
  • Salt – balances the flavor. We almost always use fine sea salt in our cooking
  • Fresh strawberries – you will need 12 oz for the cake and 16 oz for the strawberry sauce. You can use frozen strawberries for the sauce but fresh strawberries are preferred for the cake.
Ingredients for cake with fresh strawberries

How to Buy Strawberries

Here are some tips when shopping for strawberries. The last one is my favorite. I always smell the strawberries!

  • Color – look for strawberries that are a bright and vibrant red. If they are dull or have a lot of white or green patches, they are either underripe or no longer fresh.
  • Stems – check the stems which should look fresh and green (not brown or dry)
  • Firmness – fresh strawberries should be firm to the touch. If the package is clear, inspect the bottom of the container. Strawberries should not look soft, mushy, or squished/ leaking.
  • Aroma – I always sniff the package of strawberries – it’s the best way to tell if the strawberries will actually be tasty. Good strawberries will smell sweet and fragrant.

Tools for Baking

This recipe comes together fast with simple ingredients and basic cooking tools. For best results, be sure to use an electric mixer to whip the eggs and sugar.

Fresh strawberry cake served with strawberry sauce

Pro Tip: Rinse your strawberries just before using them. Wash under running water and avoid soap or commercial produce wash (these can be absorbed by strawberries and are not recommended according to the FDA). Once rinsed, set on cloth or paper towels and pat dry.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Cake

  • To bring eggs to room temperature – place cold eggs into a bowl of warm water (not hot) for 5-7 minutes, then dry them with paper towels and use them in the recipe.
  • Do not over-mix – This is KEY! Once the flour is incorporated, stop mixing or the cake can become dense.
  • Measure flour correctly – spoon flour into a dry ingredient measuring cup and scrape off the top with a straight edge. Why? Pushing your measuring cup into the flour bin can result in up to 25% more compacted flour. Watch our easy video tutorial on how to measure ingredients correctly.
Strawberry cake dusted with powdered sugar

Common Questions

Can I Substitute Sour Cream?

Yes! You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt. Whole milk Greek yogurt will yield the best results.

Can I turn this into a 2-layer cake?

This works best as a single layer because it is a heavier cake. For a layered cake, we recommend our Strawberry Sponge Cake.

How to Make it Gluten Free?

A reader shared this: “I used Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Multipurpose Flour. It is expensive but the best I’ve tried so far. Anyway, the cake came out great. We loved it and I’m planning to make it again for Easter. Just wanted to let any possible gluten-intolerant folks know.”

Can I make this Dairy Free?

A reader shared the following: “I completely replaced the sour cream, with whole-fat coconut milk from a can. I mixed it completely before measuring, and to compensate for the added wetness I reduced the oil to about 1/3 cup. It was still a little runny, but the bake was perfect.”

Can I use a different-sized pan?

We have only tested this in a 9″ springform pan. If baking in a smaller pan, bake a little longer or until a toothpick comes out clean. If you experiment with various sizes, please let me know in the comments.

Love Strawberry Recipes?

Strawberries always taste best in summer when they are in season so we like to take full advantage of their flavor and abundance. I also love that they go on sale often in the summer so we can use them for everything from Strawberry Lemonade to Chocolate Covered Strawberries. If you enjoy sweet fresh strawberries as much as we do then you will love these top-rated strawberry recipes:

Slice of easy strawberry cake - one of our favorite strawberry recipes

If you love strawberries, this strawberry cake is a must-try. I’d pass you a generous slice if I could, pummeled with the strawberry sauce of course.

More Easy Cake Recipes

If you love easy cakes like this strawberry cake don’t miss these easy, one-pan cakes that are always crowd-pleasers:

Easy Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Sauce

4.94 from 452 votes
strawberry cake with slice cut out
Easy Strawberry Cake recipe loaded with strawberries. So soft, lightly sweet, moist and bursting with strawberry flavor. Don’t skip that easy and amazing strawberry syrup!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 slices (9″ cake)

Strawberry Cake Ingredients:

Strawberry Sauce Ingredients:

Instructions

Cake Prep:

  • Butter a 9" springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375˚F. Prepare 12 oz of strawberries for the cake: dice 6 oz of strawberries and slice the second 6 oz into halves.

How to Make Strawberry Cake:

  • In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer), beat together 2 eggs with 1 cup sugar on high speed for 5 minutes or until light in color and thick.
  • Add 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup oil, 1 tsp vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together: 2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt until well incorporated. With the mixer on med/low speed, add flour mixture to the batter 1/3 at a time, letting the flour incorporate with each addition and continue mixing just until well combined. Do not over-mix. 
  • Pour half of the batter into prepared pan. Top with 6 oz of diced strawberries then spread remaining batter over the top. Cover the surface with 6 oz of halved strawberries (cut-side-down), pressing them down just slightly into the batter. Bake at 375˚F for 45-55 minutes (mine was perfect at 50 min), or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cake rest in pan 15-20 min before removing the ring.
  • Run a thin spatula around cake edges to loosen from pan. then transfer to a cake platter. Cool until just warm or at room temperature. To serve, dust with powdered sugar if desired. Drizzle individual slices generously with strawberry syrup.

How to Make Strawberry Sauce:

  • While the cake is baking, make the strawberry sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine 16 oz strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar (or add sugar to taste) and blend until pureed.

Notes

*To measure flour correctly: spoon flour into dry ingredients measuring cup and scrape off the top with a straight edge.

Nutrition Per Serving

368kcal Calories51g Carbs4g Protein16g Fat4g Saturated Fat44mg Cholesterol91mg Sodium293mg Potassium2g Fiber29g Sugar195IU Vitamin A46.9mg Vitamin C90mg Calcium1.8mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
368
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Cholesterol
 
44
mg
15
%
Sodium
 
91
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
293
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
51
g
17
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
29
g
32
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
195
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
46.9
mg
57
%
Calcium
 
90
mg
9
%
Iron
 
1.8
mg
10
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy strawberry cake, strawberry cake
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 368
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.94 from 452 votes (145 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Naomi
    June 25, 2021

    I have a question. Can I just chop all the strawberries and just add it to the batter?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 26, 2021

      Hi Naomi! I recommend following the recipe steps for the best outcome.

      Reply

  • Sabeena
    June 12, 2021

    Im Sabeena from Mauritius. Tried today and it is extremely good. Wish i could send you a picture!!
    Any recipe with cake with blueberries – not the ricotta one..

    Reply

  • Laurie Knight
    June 11, 2021

    Just made today. With fresh Massachusetts strawberries! It was delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 12, 2021

      That’s so great, Laurie! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Olivia
    June 10, 2021

    Hi there, I’m in the middle of baking this at the moment! I’ve just taken it out of the oven after 55mins and most of the middle is still completely raw, I don’t know why 😔 I don’t know how long I should put it back in for..

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 10, 2021

      Hi Oliva, this recipe should bake in 45-55 minutes. However, ovens vary in temperature, especially at different altitudes, and if a different sized pan was used. Was anything altered or changed with this recipe?

      Reply

  • Stuart Sugarbread
    June 6, 2021

    Just made the strawberry cake… after it cools how long can I keep it ? should I wrap it in plastic wrap keep it in the refrigerator etc? thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 6, 2021

      Hi Stuart, that would work. I hope you loved it!

      Reply

  • Lara
    June 6, 2021

    I tried this recipe it came out very moist i didn’t know the reason.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 7, 2021

      I hope you loved it, Lara!

      Reply

  • Hilda
    June 5, 2021

    This is an excellent cake recipe. Easy to make and absolutely delicious. Don’t hesitate to give it a try. I used partially thawed frozen strawberries and it turned out very well.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 5, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Hilda! Thank you for your lovely review!

      Reply

  • Laura
    June 2, 2021

    Hi,

    Can I make this strawberry cake with strawberry sauce eggless?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 2, 2021

      Hi Laura, I haven’t tried using anything else other than eggs in this recipe.

      Reply

  • Amy Wonder
    June 2, 2021

    I would love to see a strawberry cobbler recipe!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 2, 2021

      Thank you so much for that suggestion, Amy!

      Reply

  • Amy Wonder
    May 29, 2021

    Can I use a hand mixer for the cake recipes I use?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 29, 2021

      Hi Amy, that may work but it will take more effort! I hope you love this recipe!

      Reply

  • Kiki
    May 28, 2021

    Hello! Can I make this cake in a smaller sized pan? Would it be good in a 6in?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 28, 2021

      Hi Kiki, I haven’t tried this in a smaller pan, you will likely need to adjust the recipe to fit a pan that much smaller 🙂

      Reply

  • Nancy
    May 26, 2021

    So happy I finally got around to making this cake. It is fabulous.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 26, 2021

      I’m so glad you finally tried it, Nancy! That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Amy Wonder
    May 26, 2021

    great recipe! made it today,absolutely amazing, i would love to see an strawberry galette recipe

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 26, 2021

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this cake. Thank you for sharing that with us, Amy!

      Reply

  • Erica
    May 25, 2021

    Is it possible to do this recipe with cupcakes instead of the spring form pan?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 26, 2021

      Hi Erica, I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

  • Girish
    May 23, 2021

    Thinking about topping the first half of batter with strawberry crush. Would it work?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 23, 2021

      I honestly haven’t tested that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes!

      Reply

  • Gail
    May 21, 2021

    Made this today. It’s delicious and easy! Does it need to refrigerated?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 21, 2021

      Hi Gail, It is best on day one and should be refrigerated if not eaten the same day. I have enjoyed this up to 3 days in the fridge.

      Reply

  • Karan
    May 21, 2021

    Was a great recipe… turned out exactly like the picture … the sauce was heavenly! I used Low-fat Greek Yoghurt and it was a success! Thank You, Natasha… I am a big fan from Tehran!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 21, 2021

      Hi Karan, I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Guadalupe Rodriguez
    May 7, 2021

    Hi Natasha, I made this with my 9 year old daughter, just to say we loved making it and we loved how it turned out, so delicious soft and full of flavor. Everyone at home loved it, we will be making it again and again. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 7, 2021

      Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles

      Reply

  • Ioana
    April 29, 2021

    Hi Natasha,

    I cannot find fresh strawberries, can I use frozen ones, and how please? Thanks for reply! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 29, 2021

      Hi Ioana, I haven’t tested the cake with frozen strawberries so I’m not sure how it would bake up, but it would be easy to substitute them in the strawberry sauce topping.

      Reply

  • Beena Gosine
    April 28, 2021

    Recipe was easy to follow. Cake wasn’t very sweet at all, was midair, light and fluffy. I omitted the sauce.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 28, 2021

      Hi Beena, we don’t like overly sweet cakes but the sauce definitely makes it sweeter.

      Reply

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