Perfect Vanilla Bean Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Sweet memories often bloom around special desserts, and this vanilla bean cake captures pure magic with its delicate strawberry cream cheese frosting.

Fresh ingredients dance together in a symphony of flavor that feels both familiar and enchanting.

Delicate specks of real vanilla beans whisper luxurious promises through each tender crumb.

Home bakers can create something extraordinary without complicated techniques or professional training.

Strawberries bring vibrant color and natural sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy, smooth frosting.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert feels like a warm hug wrapped in deliciousness.

We promise this recipe will become your new favorite celebration centerpiece.

Tips To Nail Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• Measure Accurately: Use precise measuring tools like kitchen scales and leveled cups to ensure perfect cake texture and consistency every time.
• Soften Ingredients Properly: Allow butter, eggs, and cream cheese to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients.
• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined to maintain a tender, light cake crumb and avoid tough texture.
• Control Frosting Consistency: Adjust strawberry cream cheese frosting thickness by gradually adding powdered sugar or liquid for ideal spreading and decorating.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a small splash of high-quality vanilla extract or using real vanilla bean seeds for more complex, rich vanilla notes in the cake.

Storing Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Made Easy

• Refrigerate the completed cake carefully in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or place it in a cake carrier to prevent the frosting from drying out or absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Store the cake for up to 3-4 days at a cool temperature between 34-40°F to preserve its delicate texture and flavor.
• Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance its creamy consistency.
• Keep strawberry cream cheese frosted cakes away from direct sunlight or warm areas to prevent potential spoilage.
• For best taste and texture, consume the cake within 2-3 days of preparation, as the moisture and quality will gradually decline over time.
• Avoid freezing this particular cake due to the delicate cream cheese frosting, which may separate or become grainy when thawed.

What Matches With Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• Pair with Sparkling Rosé: The delicate vanilla bean cake's sweetness perfectly matches a crisp, light rosé champagne, creating a luxurious dessert experience that elevates the strawberry cream cheese frosting's fruity notes.
• Complement with Fresh Berry Sorbet: Serve a small scoop of raspberry or strawberry sorbet alongside the cake to intensify the fruity flavor profile and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy frosting.
• Match with Vanilla Chamomile Tea: A smooth, gentle chamomile tea with vanilla undertones harmonizes beautifully with the cake's vanilla bean essence, offering a soothing and elegant pairing that enhances the dessert's delicate flavors.
• Enjoy with Whipped Mascarpone: Add a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped mascarpone on the side, which brings a luxurious creaminess that complements the cake's texture and amplifies the strawberry cream cheese frosting's richness.

Try These Swaps For Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• Berry Bliss Cake: Swap strawberries with raspberries for a tangy, vibrant cream cheese frosting that adds a bold color and bright flavor profile to the classic vanilla bean cake.
• Tropical Paradise Edition: Incorporate crushed pineapple into the frosting and add toasted coconut flakes between cake layers for a summery, exotic taste experience that transforms the traditional recipe.
• Chocolate-Kissed Wonder: Fold melted dark chocolate into half the cake batter to create a marbled vanilla-chocolate cake, then top with strawberry cream cheese frosting for a rich, decadent dessert.
• Lavender Lemon Infusion: Mix dried culinary lavender and lemon zest into the cake batter, creating a subtle floral and citrusy undertone that complements the strawberry cream cheese frosting beautifully.

Your FAQ On Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• What makes vanilla bean paste special in this cake recipe?

Vanilla bean paste provides a rich, intense vanilla flavor with visible specks of real vanilla beans, offering a more complex and authentic taste compared to regular vanilla extract.

• Can I use frozen strawberries for the frosting?

Fresh strawberries are recommended for the best flavor and texture, but if fresh aren’t available, thawed frozen strawberries can work. Just be sure to drain excess liquid to prevent the frosting from becoming too runny.

• Why use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Cake flour has a lower protein content, which creates a softer, more tender cake with a delicate crumb. It helps ensure the cake remains light and fluffy, giving it a more refined texture.

• How do I know if I'm overmixing the cake batter?

Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in a tough, dense cake instead of a light and tender one.

Why Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Shines

• Craft an Easy Showstopper: This vanilla bean cake transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary dessert experience with minimal kitchen skills required. Home bakers can confidently create a restaurant-quality treat that looks professionally made.
• Quick Celebration Design: Perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, or weekend gatherings, this cake comes together in under an hour of active preparation time. Its beautiful layers and vibrant strawberry frosting make any occasion feel special and memorable.
• Customize with Simplicity: Bakers can easily adapt the recipe by adjusting frosting thickness, experimenting with strawberry quantities, or swapping pan sizes. The flexible recipe welcomes personal creativity while maintaining foolproof results that guarantee delicious outcomes.
• Sensory Flavor Explosion: Combining delicate vanilla bean notes with bright strawberry cream cheese frosting creates a harmonious taste experience. Each bite delivers a luxurious balance of subtle sweetness and tangy fruit undertones that dance beautifully on the palate.

Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients List

Cake Ingredients:

• Cake Flour: Soft and fine flour for a tender, delicate cake texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for cake rise and lightness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Softened for smooth mixing and rich flavor, choose high-quality unsalted butter.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, room temperature is best.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Seeds: Provides intense, authentic vanilla flavor.
• Sour Cream, Milk: Add moisture and tangy richness to the cake.

Frosting Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese: Soft and at room temperature for smooth blending, full-fat recommended.
• Butter: Softened for creamy texture, unsalted preferred.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting consistency.

• Fresh Strawberries: Pureed for natural fruity flavor and color.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to the strawberry cream cheese frosting.

Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting How-To Guide

Step 1: Prepare Cake Foundations

Grab your cake pans and give them a good coating of butter and flour. Cut parchment paper circles to line the bottom of three 6-inch round pans. In a mixing bowl, combine cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly blended.

• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

In a separate large bowl, whip softened butter and sugar together until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture. Crack eggs one by one, stirring thoroughly after each addition. Splash in vanilla bean magic – either paste or fresh seeds work wonderfully. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream and milk. Mix carefully to keep the batter light and airy. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Step 2: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pans into a preheated oven at 350F. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 3: Whip Up Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, creating a dreamy white canvas. Fold in fresh strawberry puree and a splash of vanilla extract. Whip the frosting until it becomes light and cloud-like. Adjust consistency by adding more sugar or strawberry puree as needed.

Step 4: Create Cake Masterpiece

Once cakes have completely cooled, begin layering. Place first cake layer on a beautiful serving plate. Spread a generous layer of strawberry frosting. Carefully position second cake layer and repeat frosting process. Add final cake layer and cover entire cake with remaining frosting.

Step 5: Decorate with Flair

For an elegant finishing touch, scatter fresh strawberry slices on top or drizzle extra strawberry puree around the cake’s edges. Stand back and admire your delectable creation!

Vanilla Bean Cake With Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Heavenly vanilla bean cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting delivers pure dessert magic from first delectable bite. Sweet layers of delicate flavor and creamy richness combine perfectly for an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360 grams / 12.7 ounces) cake flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda

Cake Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks, 226 grams / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 ½ cups (500 grams / 17.6 ounces) granulated sugar
• 7 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 grams / 8.5 ounces) sour cream, room temperature

Frosting and Assembly Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (452 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup (2 sticks, 226 grams / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups (480 grams / 16.9 ounces) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (160 grams) seedless strawberry jam
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters / 6.1 fluid ounces) heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 6 tablespoons seedless strawberry jam
• 2 ¼ pounds (about 6 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Meticulously coat three 6-inch round cake pans with butter and flour, then line the bottoms with parchment paper to ensure effortless cake release.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt using a whisk, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes of continuous blending.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Blend in vanilla bean paste or seeds until evenly distributed.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with sour cream and milk. Begin and conclude with dry ingredients, mixing gently to maintain a delicate batter texture.
6. Evenly distribute the batter among prepared cake pans, smoothing the surfaces with a spatula for uniform layers.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center. The toothpick should emerge clean when the cakes are perfectly baked.
8. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
9. For the frosting, blend cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer.
10. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, beating on low speed to create a consistent frosting base.
11. Incorporate strawberry puree and vanilla extract, increasing mixer speed to create a light, fluffy frosting. Adjust consistency by adding powdered sugar or additional puree as needed.
12. Once cake layers are completely cooled, position the first layer on a serving plate.
13. Apply a generous layer of strawberry cream cheese frosting atop the first cake layer.
14. Carefully place the second cake layer and repeat the frosting process.
15. Position the final cake layer and frost the entire cake, covering top and sides with the remaining frosting.
16. Optional: Embellish with fresh strawberries or a delicate drizzle of strawberry puree for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother cake batter and better incorporation.
• Use a kitchen scale for precise flour measurement to avoid dense or dry cake texture.
• Sift dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and create a more uniform cake crumb.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, rubbery cake by stopping when ingredients are just combined.
• Layer cake can be made ahead and stored wrapped in plastic at room temperature for 1-2 days before frosting.
• For gluten-free option, swap cake flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum.
• Reduce sugar by 25% if using very ripe, sweet strawberries in the frosting.
• Freeze cake layers for 30 minutes before frosting to minimize crumbs and create cleaner decorating lines.
• Use fresh, high-quality vanilla bean paste or seeds for the most intense flavor profile.
• For a lighter frosting, fold in whipped cream after initial mixing to create a more airy texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 569
• Sugar: 59g
• Sodium: 210mg
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 135mg