This strawberry cake is the easiest cake you'll ever make. It's got a vanilla cake base, sweet strawberries, and a buttery sugar streusel sprinkled on top. It's super fluffy and perfect for spring and summer baking.
There's nothing like a sweet slice of strawberry cake! It reminds me of my childhood growing up as we would always have strawberry cake for birthdays.
The layers in this cake are incredible. The sweet and freshly sliced strawberries are sprinkled on top of the vanilla cake batter. The buttery sugar streusel is like the cherry on top, it melts and crisps up while baking, pairing everything so perfectly together.
I love how easy it is to bake too, you don't even need an electric mixer!
Ingredients Notes
Here are a few key ingredients needed in this easy strawberry cake. Continue scrolling for the full recipe card.
- Butter: This will be softened for the streusel, and melted for the cake batter.
- Eggs: Use large eggs if you can. Make sure they are at room temperature before beginning.
- Flour: I used all-purpose flour. No other flour has been tested for this recipe so I recommend using this one!
- Strawberries: Slice fresh strawberries into small pieces (Image below in step-by-step for reference)
- Orange: One medium-sized orange is grated. The zest from the orange adds so much more flavour into this cake and pairs so well with the strawberries.
- Vanilla: Using a high quality vanilla matters!
- White sugar: Make sure you are using granulated white sugar, and not powdered sugar.
Step by step instructions
Here is how to make and bake this easy strawberry cake. You will need a 9×9 baking pan lined with parchment paper, 4 mixing bowls, a spatula, and a whisk.
Step 1 – Prep. For easy removal of the cake, use parchment paper.
Step 2 - Make streusel. In a medium-sized bowl, add flour, softened butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and white sugar. Mix together until a streusel forms. Set in the fridge to chill while the cake batter is made.
Step 3 – Mix dry ingredients. In a medium sized bowl, add in the dry ingredients. Stir to combine and set aside.
Step 4 - Whisk eggs and sugar. In a large bowl, add white sugar and eggs. Whisk together for 2-3 minutes until well combined and air bubbles are appearing.
Step 5 - Add orange zest. Whisk in the orange zest (optional, but recommended).
Step 6 - Add butter and oil. Add in the oil and melted butter and continue whisking.
Step 6 - Add in yogurt and vanilla. Whisk in the yogurt and vanilla until smooth.
Step 7 - Mix together the ingredient. With a spatula, mix the dry and wet ingredients together until a soft cake batter forms.
Step 8 - Add strawberries. Into the bowl with the sliced strawberries, add 1 tbsp of flour and mix around to evenly coat the berries. This will prevent them from sinking as they bake.
Step 9 - Layer. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the strawberries and then the streusel.
Step 10 - Bake. Bake the cake for 40-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Mine took 50 minutes exactly.
FAQ
How do I store this cake?
This strawberry cake is best enjoyed fresh or next day. It stays fresh on the counter for 3 days, and in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I doubt it will last that long though!
Can I use another berry?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any fresh berries such as raspberries, blackberries, or even sliced rhubarb.
Can I use just butter or oil?
Yes. After recipe testing, I found that using both makes the best moisture, but you can use either or as long as it is 2/3 cups total.
How do I know my cake is ready?
When a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out dry with no wet batter.
Do I have to add streusel?
No, but I highly recommend it as it brings this cake to the next level and adds so much flavour.
Easy Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour + 1 tbsp for dusting
- 3/4 tsps baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cups white sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1/3 cups oil
- 3/4 cups yogurt or kefir or buttermilk*, room temperature
- Zest of 1 orange about 1 tsp total, optional*
- 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries washed and sliced
For the streusel
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter softened
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350℉/176℃ and line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
For the streusel
- In a medium-sized bowl, add softened butter, flour, cinnamon, white sugar, and brown sugar. With your hands or a fork, mix together until combined. Set in the fridge to chill as the cake batter is made.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 tbsp light brown sugar, 6 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/8 tsp cinnamon
For the cake
- Prep: Melt the butter and allow it to cool. Slice the strawberries into small pieces and set aside to use later. Lastly, zest the orange to use later.1/3 cup unsalted butter, 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, Zest of 1 orange
- In a medium-sized bowl, add in the dry ingredients. Stir together and set aside.2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 tsps baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt
- In a large-sized bowl, add in white sugar and eggs. Whisk together for 2-3 minutes until well combined.2/3 cups white sugar, 2 large eggs
- Add the orange zest in and continue whisking.Zest of 1 orange
- Add the butter and oil in and keep on whisking.1/3 cups oil, 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- Add the yogurt and vanilla in and mix until well combined.1 tbsp vanilla, 3/4 cups yogurt
- With a spatula, mix the dry and wet ingredients together until a soft cake batter forms. Do not over-mix!
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan.
- In the bowl with the sliced strawberries, add 1 tbsp of flour. Mix around until evenly coated. This will prevent the berries from sinking as they bake.
- Sprinkle the strawberries evenly on top of the cake, then sprinkle the streusel.
- Bake the cake for 40-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool, slice, and enjoy!
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