Description
A stunning layered cake featuring fluffy vanilla cake, fresh strawberries, and billowy whipped cream frosting that transforms classic shortcake into an elegant celebration dessert
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – 3 cups
- Granulated sugar – 2 cups
- Baking powder – 4 teaspoons
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Unsalted butter, softened – 1 cup
- Large eggs – 4
- Whole milk – 1 cup
- Vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- Heavy whipping cream – 3 cups
- Powdered sugar – 1/2 cup
- Fresh strawberries, sliced – 4 cups
- Strawberry preserves – 1/3 cup
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- 2. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- 3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- 4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- 6. Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- 8. While cakes cool, prepare whipped cream by beating cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- 9. Warm strawberry preserves slightly and thin with 1 tablespoon water.
- 10. Place first cake layer on serving plate and brush with thinned preserves. Spread with whipped cream and top with sliced strawberries.
- 11. Repeat with second layer, then add third layer on top.
- 12. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining whipped cream. Decorate with whole and sliced strawberries.
- 13. Refrigerate until ready to serve, removing from refrigerator 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cake layers can be baked ahead and frozen for up to 1 month. Best served within 24 hours of assembly for optimal freshness and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 285mg
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
Keywords: strawberry shortcake cake, layered strawberry cake, fresh strawberry dessert, summer cake recipe, vanilla layer cake