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Fresh Strawberry Naked Layer Cake

This Fresh Strawberry Naked Layer cake by Snixy Kitchen is the perfect cake for bakers who may not be the best at fancy frosting techniques. The “naked” look is elegant, easy to make, and may even help cut down on calories with less frosting per slice!

Try more strawberry desserts or another delectable strawberry cake recipe from our selection of recipes.

Strawberry Layer Cake

Fresh Strawberry Naked Layer Cake

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cooling time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 1 6" Layer Cake
Calories: 509kcal

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Ingredients

Fresh Strawberry Naked Layer Cake

  • 8 oz fresh California strawberries hulled and puréed (a little more than ½ cup purée)
  • cups + 2 Tbsp 212g all-purpose flour (or 212g Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour)
  • tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup 205g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 large egg whites room temperature
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup whole milk room temperature

Strawberry Filling & Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz fresh California strawberries divided
  • 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

Strawberry Layer Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F,lightly grease three 6-inch cake pans with vegetable oil and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.
  • Reduce the strawberry purée. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, cook the strawberry puree, stirring often, until thick and bubbly and reduced to 1/3 cup, about 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and place in the fridge until completely cool.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides. Add the egg and egg whites one at a time and beat until completely mixed, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix until just combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Add the flour mixture in two parts, alternating with the milk, scraping down the sides as needed, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.
  • Add the strawberry puree and mix on low just until completely combined.
  • Evenly divide the cake batter among the three cake pans, smoothing out the top.
  • Bake for 28-32 minutes, until the center springs back when poked and a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few dry crumbs. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the outside before overturning the cakes upright onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Strawberry Filling & Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Roughly chop half the strawberries into ¼-inch pieces and set aside. Wash remaining strawberries for topping.
  • Prepare the frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth over medium speed. Add the butter and cream together over medium speed, scraping the sides as you go.
  • With the mixer on low, slowly add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth.
  • To frost the cake, place one cooled cake layer on your cake stand or platter. Top with about ½ cup frosting and spread evenly to the edges. Top with ½ of the chopped strawberries, leaving a 1-inch border of frosting around the outside. Repeat with another cake layer. Top with final cake layer and spread remaining frosting over the top and on the sides. Use a large offset spatula or bench scraper to smooth and scrape frosting off the sides as pictured. Smooth the top of the cake and top with remaining strawberries, whole or halved.
  • Chill the cake for 20-30 minutes before slicing. Store leftovers covered in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1  Slice | Calories: 509kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 274mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin C: 27mg

4 Comments on “Fresh Strawberry Naked Layer Cake

Janyce
October 28, 2022 at 11:31 am

Hi, this cake looks amazing! I’m excited to make this for my mother’s 60th birthday. She loves strawberry cake. I do have a Question for you. It says that it yields 1 (6’’) layer. But in the instructions, it says to evenly divide batter into three round 6 inch pans. I’m confused do I need to triple the recipe to make three layers, or just follow the recipe as is and divide into 3 cake pans?

Reply
CA Strawberries
January 3, 2023 at 2:26 pm

Hi there. You don’t need to triple the recipe. It just means the dimension of the cake is 6 inches, and it has three layers.

Reply
Rod
December 19, 2023 at 9:44 am

Your directions are confusing. It says it makes 1 – 6 inch cake but directions say divide between 3 pans. There’s no way this recipe can be divided into 3 pans.
I made and cooked a one layer 9 inch.

Reply
CA Strawberries
January 17, 2024 at 10:56 am

Hi Rod, sorry to hear that it didn’t work out. We will have the reviewed and revised. Thank you for the feedback.

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