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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt using a whisk, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes of continuous blending.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Blend in vanilla bean paste or seeds until evenly distributed.
- 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.
- Evenly distribute the batter among prepared cake pans, smoothing the surfaces with a spatula for uniform layers.
- 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.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- For the frosting, blend cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer.
- Gradually introduce powdered sugar, beating on low speed to create a consistent frosting base.
- 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.
- Once cake layers are completely cooled, position the first layer on a serving plate.
- Apply a generous layer of strawberry cream cheese frosting atop the first cake layer.
- Carefully place the second cake layer and repeat the frosting process.
- Position the final cake layer and frost the entire cake, covering top and sides with the remaining frosting.
- 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