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Gathering Ingredients and Tools
The first step in making a classic homemade strawberry cake is to gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
Essential Ingredients
1. Fresh strawberries: The star of the show, fresh strawberries provide the natural sweetness and vibrant color that make this cake stand out. Look for ripe, juicy berries for the best results.
2. All-purpose flour: This will form the base of your cake. Ensure it’s properly sifted to avoid any lumps.
3. Granulated sugar: Adds the necessary sweetness to the cake batter and helps to balance the tartness of the strawberries.
4. Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents will give the cake its light and fluffy texture.
5. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
6. Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake.
7. Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and a creamy flavor to the cake.
8. Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla adds depth to the cake’s flavor profile.
9. Milk: Helps to create a smooth batter and adds tenderness to the cake.
Necessary Tools
1. Mixing bowls: For combining your ingredients.
2. Electric mixer: While you can mix by hand, an electric mixer makes the process easier and ensures a smoother batter.
3. Cake pans: Two 9-inch round cake pans are ideal for this recipe.
4. Cooling rack: To cool the cakes after baking.
5. Measuring cups and spoons: Precision is key in baking, so ensure you measure your ingredients accurately.
Step-by-Step Baking Process
With your ingredients and tools ready, it’s time to start baking. Follow these steps to create your classic homemade strawberry cake:
Preparing the Strawberries
Begin by washing and hulling the strawberries. Puree half of them in a blender or food processor until smooth. Chop the remaining strawberries into small pieces, which will be folded into the batter later for bursts of fruity flavor.
Making the Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk until fully incorporated. Gently fold in the strawberry puree and chopped strawberries, being careful not to overmix.
Baking the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Assembling and Frosting the Cake
Once the cakes are completely cool, it’s time to assemble them. For a classic look, you can use a simple cream cheese frosting. Here’s how to do it:
Making the Frosting
In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If you prefer a pink hue, add a few drops of red food coloring.
Assembling the Cake
Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Decorate with fresh strawberries on top for an added touch of elegance.
