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This strawberry layer cake is the first dessert of the year; oh and it’s a good one! Tonya (one of the ladies in our church), made this cake for her son’s birthday. While chomping down my second slice; I asked her for the recipe. It was delicious and I’m sharing this goodness with you.
Also, I’ve finally tried the alternate way of making the biskvit cake layers and they turned out perfect (I believe this to be the a more “fool-proof” recipe. Oh and the strawberry/chocolate decorations were ridiculously easy (plenty of oohs and ahhs over the 3D chocolate); see the tutorial here.
Oh oh and one more thing; the beauty of this strawberry layer cake is that you can really easily cut everything in half (6 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour….blah blah) to make a smaller cake and it will turn out just as dang good.
Strawberry Layer Cake Ingredients:
12 large eggs, room temp, divided
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided *measured correctly
Frosting Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
16 oz cream cheese, softened at room temp
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Filling/Decor:
2 lbs Fresh strawberries (1 1/2 lbs to blend and put inside the cake and 1/2 lb to decorate)
Chocolate chips to melt and decorate the top; optional
Baking strawberry layer cake Layers:
If you’ve never made a European Sponge Cake, watch this video for the basic version and see just how simple it is!
Preheat oven to 350˚F.
1. Grease and line only the bottom of a 9×13″ cake pan with parchment paper (line 2 pans if you have 2). I have found that it’s best not to line or grease the sides of the pan or the cake becomes somewhat miss-shaped.
You will bake your cake layers separately so for each biskvit layer:
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together 6 eggs and 1 cup sugar on high speed for 10 minutes and it will be 3-4 times in volume
3. Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour and use a spatula to gently fold it in just until well incorporated and no more clumps of flour remain. Scrape from the bottom of the bowl to make sure there aren’t any trapped pockets of flour, but don’t overwork the batter or it will deflate.
4. Transfer your batter to the lined baking pan and bake at 350˚F for 17-20 min or until top is golden and toothpick comes out clean.
(While the first layer is baking, start working on your second cake layer repeating steps 1-3 above). Remove baked cake from the pan by running a thin edged spatula around the sides to loosen it, then let it cool to room temperature before removing the parchment paper.
Strawberry Filling:
Cut strawberries into halves or quarters and place them in the bowl of a food processor; pulse 15 times or until the consistency of a chunky applesauce; set aside
Frosting:
Beat together cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth (1 min). Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream and beat on high speed until fluffy (3 minutes)
Assembly:
1. Cut each cooled cake layer in half. Place the first layer on your serving dish (this cake is too big and heavy to transfer so put it on the dish you’re serving it on).
2. Spread the first layer with 1/3 of the strawberry puree. Spread just a thin layer of frosting (just a thin layer or you won’t have enough to frost the sides in the end) on the second half and place it over the first layer so the strawberries and cream are hugging. Repeat with the next layers.
So the order from the bottom up is: cake; strawberry; cream; cake; strawberry; cream;cake; strawberries; cream; cake; cream (frost the top and sides with remaining frosting)
Decorate the top with fresh strawberries and chocolate (see chocolate decorating tutorial here
Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 12 large eggs, room temp, divided
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened at room temp
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Filling/Decor:
- 2 lbs Fresh strawberries, 1 1/2 lbs to blend and put inside the cake and 1/2 lb to decorate the top
- Chocolate chips to melt and decorate the top; optional
Instructions
Baking the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Grease and line only the bottom of a 9x13" cake pan with parchment paper (line 2 pans if you have 2). I have found that it's best not to line or grease the sides of the pan or the cake becomes somewhat miss-shaped.
- You will bake your cake layers separately so for each biskvit layer: in the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together 6 eggs and 1 cup sugar on high speed for 10 min. it will be 3-4 times in volume.
- Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour and use a spatula to gently fold it in just until well incorporated and no more clumps of flour remain. Scrape from the bottom of the bowl to make sure there aren't any trapped pockets of flour, but don't overwork the batter or it will deflate.
- Transfer to lined baking pan and bake until top is golden and toothpick comes out clean 17-20 min.
- (While the first layer is baking, start making your second cake layer repeating steps 1-3 above)
- Remove baked cake from the pan by running a thin edged spatula around the sides to loosen it, then let it cool to room temperature before removing the parchment paper.
Strawberry Filling:
- Cut strawberries into halves or quarters and place them in the bowl of a food processor; pulse 15 times or until the consistency of a chunky applesauce; set aside.
Frosting:
- Beat together cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth (1 min). Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream and beat on high speed until fluffy (2-3 minutes).
Assembly:
- Cut each cooled cake layer in half. Place the first layer on your serving dish (this cake is too big and heavy to transfer so put it on the dish you're serving it on)
- Spread the first layer with 1/3 of the strawberry puree. Spread a very thin layer of frosting on the second half and place it over the first layer so the strawberries and cream are hugging. Repeat with the next layers. So the order from the bottom up is: cake; strawberry; cream; cake; strawberry; cream;cake; strawberries; cream; cake; cream (frost the top and sides with remaining frosting).
- Decorate the top with fresh strawberries and chocolate (see chocolate decorating tutorial below)
Hi Natasha! My oven is small and I can only fit 1 pan inside at a time. I was wondering how should I proceed considering that. Should I make 1/2 the recipe first and then the other half? Can make the entire recipe and pour 1/2 in a pan and put it in the oven, and the rest of batter can wait until the oven is free? Or will it go bad?
I’m sorry for the bad english, I’m portuguese. Thank you very much in advance!!!
Hi Alice, I would make the first layer and then the second one separately. You don’t want this cake batter to sit at room temperature for 25 minutes or you risk it deflating or having a rubbery base after baking.
Hi Natasha, Do you think I can use a blender to make the strawberry filling? I don’t have a food processor.
Hi Marlene, absolutely! That would work just fine 🙂
Question. Does this recipe only call for eggs, sugar, and flour for the cake?
That’s right, only three ingredients 😋.
What about the baking powder mentioned in the video?
Hi Sharon, I used to not put it into my cakes and this cake was an earlier version. It still works well without it but you can add it if you prefer. I found that the baking powder provides a slightly more level cake.
Hi Natasha,
Would this cake be able to hold another layer as I needed one with more height? And is it ok to ice the outside of the cake with buttercream instead as I think it’ll hold better for decorating? Sorry and one more question is it ok to make the cake the night before? Thank you
Hi! Yes to all of your questions. That should all work well. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi I’m limited on time can I bake the biskvit A few days in advance and then assemble later
Hi Linda, yes absolutely! If you want to make the cake layers a day ahead, you can leave them at room temp, wrapped in a plastic bag with parchment between them, just be sure they are at room temp before covering them up. If you want to make it further ahead of time, store in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. 🙂
Hi! I will make this cake for my 2 years old boy, how long can I keep the cake room temperature? Thank you 🙂
Hi Patty, it depends on the temperature you are leaving it in. Since the frosting is dairy based, I wouldn’t leave it at room temp longer than 3 hours or so.
Hi There,
I haven’t made this type of icing before and I am a bit nervous, but it sounds lovely and would love to try it. I am going to double the recipe and do a 12X18 for a party this weekend. Does it spread like butter cream? will it set up/harden like butter cream? Do I whip the whipping cream first.
Hi Michelle, it’s not as stiff as a buttercream and it doesn’t really harden up either. You don’t need to whip the whipping cream first, but you can if you wish to if you wish to get a slightly stiffer frosting. I hope all of you party guests love this cake! 🙂
Hi Michelle, I’m planning to make a 12X18 cake for my mom’s 90th birthday, can you please tell me how your cake turned out and did you double the recipe? TIA
this is my new favorite cake! so delicious!! i made the 9 inch round version. can i use this recipe to make 2 11 inch rounds instead of 2 9×13?
I’m not sure if the baking pans would overflow with two 11 inch round pans. I think it might work if your cake cans are tall enough.
do you think it would work for 2 11 inch pans if i do 1 and a half of this recipe? it would come out to 9 eggs, 1.5 cups flour, etc..
Hi Yana, I think that would work well.
My daughter wants a strawberry cream cake for her 25th birthday on Sunday. Can I use two or three 9 inch round pans for this recipe?
Thank you so much for your help!
I actually have a round version of this cake! Click here for the recipe 🙂
Thank you for your quick response! That’s fabulous Natasha ! Thank you!
We are celebrating on Sunday, how many days in advance can I make the cake? Concerned about it getting soggy.
It doesn’t really get soggy and for max freshness I would make it a day ahead but not much longer than that since there are fresh strawberries in and on it.
It’s a 10 star rating cake recipe
Thanks Rooma! You’re awesome!! 🙂
I made this cake today for my friends surprise birthday party. I am so glad that I chose your recipe, it was the awesome cake I have ever made. The cake was the star of the party. This recipe is going to stay with me forever. No eggy flavour, very soft and moist.
I’m so happy you and all of the party guests enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing that with us! 🙂
Can you tell if I want to bake using half of the amounts of the contents of ingredients. Do I still whisk the 3 eggs and sugar for 10 min high speed.
Hi Rooma, I have this cake as a round cake (pretty much half of everything except the frosting). I would recommend following this tutorial.
Can I crumb coat my cake with butter cream frosting also sense I am using fondant on my cake and still use the strawberry filling in the center
Hi Teresa! I think it would work the way you described it. Leet me know how you like it! I’d love to see your cake when it’s done. If you post it somewhere, I hope you tag me #natashaskitchen so I can see it! 🙂
I did this for my friends birthday, she loved it! This is my favorite cake now.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for your awesome review! 🙂
Anyone try this with gluten-free flour?
I haven’t personally but one of my readers shared that she made a biskvit cake (the same as in this one) with GF flour with great results. If you try it, let me know how it goes! 🙂
I just did with bob’s red mill all purpose gluten free flour. (The one for one type). I added 1/2 tsp of xantan gum per cup of flour. So far, the consistency looks identical to the cake when made with wheat flour.
Taste wise, I have not iced it yet but I find it has a tiny but of the GF flour taste. I don’t think it it will be noticeable once the strawberries and frosting are added. I can come back and update once I taste the completed cake.
Yes, do keep us posted! Thanks so much for sharing your details 🙂
This looks delish! Could I potentially divide the batter among 3 8-in round pans? Thanks!
Divide it in 4 round pans; ) I just made it in round pans, and it came out perfectly.
It’s my 3rd time making this cake. It’s everyone’s all time favorite! Thank you Natasha for this supper yummy cake recipe!!!🍰💖
Thank you for sharing Yana! I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
One of my readers shared that they divided it into 4 (9-inch) rounds. It might overwhelm 3 smaller rounds. You should check out this round version of the same cake, which would work better:
I’m afraid the link to the round version does not work…
Ewa, thank you for pointing that out, I got it fixed and you can click here to view the round version.
Disregard post, I have to many tabs open and mixed up the cakes! Sorry! What strikes me odd is there is no salt or vanilla added.
Since it is a sponge cake, you can flavor it any way you like with syrup so the vanilla isn’t necessary and I’ve never used salt in my sponge cake. I’m not sure how common it is to add the salt to classic European sponge cake – I haven’t see it done.
Hi shud I add baking powder n soda in this cake? Pls reply asap
I haven’t used baking soda or baking powder in this recipe. As long as you beat eggs long enough, it will rise just fine. Let me know how it turns out 😀.
Could I make a cake with a hand mixer?
Yes, it may take a little longer to beat but with a good ELECTRIC hand mixer on high speed, it can be done. You could not make this cake with a manual hand cranked mixer. I think you will still have to make it in 2 batches though for it to inflate adequately
I’m terrible at cutting cakes in half. I was going to half the recipe, but can I use 9 inch square pans instead?
Thanks!
To put the recipe into two 9 in. Square pans, use this recipe with square pans instead of round ones: https://natashaskitchen.com/2015/06/30/strawberry-cake-recipe/
I’m having the same issue about the 9-in square pan usage instead. I’d like to do it in 4 layers as well, so should I just half the whole recipe amount?
The link you provided isn’t valid for some reason…
Oh sorry about that. Click here to get to the round version of this cake.