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

  • Maria Zoltowski
    June 4, 2018

    Made this twice over the weekend. Big hit. Pretty, delicious and easy. Thanks for this and all your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 4, 2018

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Maria 🙂

      Reply

  • Debbie Whalen
    May 31, 2018

    Would I double the ingredients for a 9×13 pan for the Easy Strawberry cake??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 1, 2018

      Hi Debbie, for a 9×13 baking dish, I would probably do 1 1/2 times the recipe or it will be a fairly skinny cake.

      Reply

  • lydlaw
    May 29, 2018

    Thanks Natasha! I am making the entire lunch based on your recipes: two salads (avocado tuna & mango chicken) shrimp cakes as appetizers and strawberry cake for dessert…will let you know how all goes, ok? My mouth is watering as I write this…lol!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 29, 2018

      It sure does sound delicious! Please let me know what everyone thinks! 🙂

      Reply

      • lydlaw
        May 29, 2018

        Absolutely!

        Reply

  • lydia
    May 29, 2018

    Hi Natasha ! This cake looks yummy! Will it still be so if I make it tonight before a luncheon tomorrow ? Would I need to refrigerate the sauce and then bring to room temp before I drizzle? And, would i also need to refrigerate the cake or can I leave it out to cool overnight? Thanks so much, Lydia

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 29, 2018

      Hi Lydia, I think the strawberries look and taste the best the same day it is made. It would be safe to leave it covered at room temperature overnight but if you are storing it longer than that, I would refrigerate. You could also refrigerate the sauce overnight and then drizzle right before serving.

      Reply

  • Christine
    May 22, 2018

    Hi Natasha, thank you for ALL your recipes, but especially this recipe!! My family loves it! Your simply and down to earth cooking has me in the kitchen and loving it!
    Question: Do you think I could bake this cake using a loaf pan instead of a spring form pan? My spring form pan doesn’t like me!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 22, 2018

      Hello Christine, I’m happy to hear how much you and your family are enjoying the recipes! I haven’t tried using a loaf pan but I think it’s worth an experiment. At least one reader reported great results in a loaf pan. They used 1 recipe for 1 loaf pan but I don’t have any details on changes in bake time. I would bake for the same amount of time and then do the toothpick test and continue baking longer if needed. You might need to shield it with foil if baking longer and it starts to darken on top. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Viktoriya T.
    May 21, 2018

    Hi, Natasha)
    I made this cake for our family picnic) actually i made double batch)
    Ohhhh, i gotta say that few people asked if its cheesecake) )
    Love the fact it has loads of strawberries and comes out moist👌thank you for your foolproof recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 21, 2018

      My pleasure Viktoriya! I’m glad to hear the recipe is such a hit. Thanks for sharing your excellent review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Amalia
    May 10, 2018

    Oh My God, this cake is amazing, the recipe is perfect, and the result delicious! It’s moist, it looks great and it’s really good even after three days. I used Green yogurt instead of the sour cream and it was great. I also made cupcakes and they were delicious. This cake reminds me of my mum’s cherry pie.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 10, 2018

      I’m happy to hear how much you love the recipe Amalia! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!

      Reply

    • Geraldine Pierce
      June 20, 2018

      how long did you bake the cupcakes?

      Reply

  • Marie Zuzlewski
    May 7, 2018

    I made this cake. My son and I just tried a piece. It is DELICIOUS!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 8, 2018

      I’m glad you both love the recipe Marie! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!

      Reply

  • Fizza
    May 3, 2018

    Natasha can you make this cake with frozen strawberries?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 3, 2018

      Hi Fizza, I haven’t tested it with frozen strawberries so I’m not 100% sure. If I were to try, I would thaw in the refrigerated and drain well before adding them, maybe toss them with 1 Tbsp of corn starch to keep them from being too juicy. I do think it would be easy to substitute frozen for the sauce.

      Reply

  • lydia
    April 29, 2018

    Thank you Natasha for this awesome recipe. I just baked this cake today. It came out so…….good!!!
    It’s simple, beautiful and delicious! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 30, 2018

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe as much as I do. Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!

      Reply

  • Donna L. Kulow
    April 24, 2018

    Natasha, I made the Strawberry cake and I have to say it was delicious . It was so moist and almost like using a box mix. It did not last long , everyone wanted some of it. I’m going to make another one. I made Strawberry syrup by cooking down the Strawberries and blending with the sugar, I poured it over the cake. It was sooo good and moist. I’m going to try the Peach cake next.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 24, 2018

      Hello Donna! I’m glad to hear how much everyone enjoys the recipe. Thanks for following and sharing your outstanding review!

      Reply

  • mahwish bhatti
    April 4, 2018

    hi there, just came across this recipe looks amazing!! i have two questions though, 1) – would frozen strawberries work too?, and 2) what can i use as substitute for sour cream?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 4, 2018

      Hello! I haven’t tested it with frozen strawberries so I’m not 100% sure. If I were to try, I would thaw in the refrigerated and drain well before adding them, maybe toss them with 1 Tbsp of corn starch to keep them from being too juicy. I do think it would be easy to substitute frozen for the sauce. As for as a substitution for the sour cream, I have had readers report using greek yogurt with much success. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Cynthia
    March 31, 2018

    Just made it, looks and smells delicious, have not tried it as yet!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 31, 2018

      I hope it tastes as good as it looks and smells!

      Reply

  • Ulyana
    March 12, 2018

    Sooo delicious!!! (Especially when still warm!!) only thing I would do next time is spread the strawberries more throughout the layers because I loved that sweet taste of a strawberry with the cake! Thanks for the recipe! Was definitely a hit- can’t wait to try it with summer strawberries!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 12, 2018

      You’re welcome Ulyana! I’m glad you love the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!

      Reply

  • Anna
    March 8, 2018

    Absolutely delicious 😋, which doesn’t surprise me. Every recipe I tried from you turned out delicious.
    Thank you !!
    P.S. Love your hair 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 8, 2018

      I’m glad to hear how much you’re enjoying the recipes! Thank YOU for following and sharing your sweet comments!

      Reply

  • Jessica
    February 26, 2018

    Do you have to have a springform pan for this cake? I’d love to make this but I don’t have one 😬

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 27, 2018

      Hi Jessica, it would work in a regular cake pan if your walls are tall enough to accommodate the cake. I think it would overwhelm a cake pan less than 2″ tall on the walls.

      Reply

  • Chris Duffy
    February 25, 2018

    I really like many things you make, but please dear, tie your hair back when you cook!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 26, 2018

      Hi Chris, I’m so glad you enjoy our recipes! Strangely enough, my videos do better when my hair is styled :). I cook for my family and not in a commercial kitchen and they have never complained. They see the food and they come running! 😉

      Reply

  • Domnica B
    February 23, 2018

    Made this for a friend and of course had to make an extra for my family! Yum!!! So, so good! My husband, who doesn’t like strawberries loved it! Thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 23, 2018

      You’re welcome! I’m glad to hear the recipe is a hit with the whole family. Thanks for sharing your wonderful review with other readers!

      Reply

  • Inna
    February 20, 2018

    Baked it two times. It’s delicious! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 20, 2018

      My pleasure Inna! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  • Sabrina
    February 16, 2018

    Just made this, haven’t tried it yet, but my house smells like heaven!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 16, 2018

      I hope you love the taste of it even more Sabrina!

      Reply

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