If you’re looking for a dessert that’s equal parts simple, delicious, and beautiful, this Strawberry Glaze Cake is the answer. This cake is light, moist, and topped with a homemade strawberry glaze that adds a burst of fresh fruity goodness. It’s the kind of cake that’s perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a weekend treat, a summer gathering, or even a special birthday dessert. Trust me, once you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked!
There’s something so magical about the combination of soft, tender cake and the fresh, vibrant flavor of strawberries. The glaze, which is made from fresh strawberries pureed into a smooth sauce, gives the cake a glossy, eye-catching finish. Plus, the optional touch of red food coloring gives the glaze a pop of pink that’s just too pretty to resist. I love that this cake looks as amazing as it tastes, and it’s a crowd-pleaser every single time.
What Makes This Cake So Special?
You might be wondering what sets this cake apart from other simple desserts. Well, there are a few key things! First, the cake itself is soft and fluffy, with a light crumb that practically melts in your mouth. Second, the homemade strawberry glaze is not only gorgeous but also packed with fresh strawberry flavor. There’s no store-bought jam or artificial flavor here—just pure strawberry goodness. And lastly, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make! It’s perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
One of my favorite things about this cake is how versatile it is. You can dress it up with some extra fresh strawberries on top, add a little sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even toss on some rainbow sprinkles for a fun, festive touch. The best part? You can adjust the sweetness of the glaze to your liking, and it’s just as good when served warm or cold. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast with a cup of coffee or as an after-dinner treat, this cake hits the spot every time.
Let’s dive into the recipe and get you on your way to creating this gorgeous Strawberry Glaze Cake!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat & Prep:
Before you even get started on the cake batter, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is key to ensuring your cake bakes evenly and turns out perfectly. Then, grab an 8×8-inch square baking pan and grease it lightly with butter or cooking spray. If you want to make your life even easier, line the pan with parchment paper—this way, you’ll have no trouble lifting the cake out after baking. A little extra effort at this stage can save you from a messy cake disaster later on!
Make the Cake Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. These three ingredients work together to give the cake its structure and light texture. Set this dry mixture aside while you tackle the wet ingredients.
Now, let’s move on to the fun part—mixing the wet ingredients! In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This process is key to getting a cake that’s soft and airy, so don’t rush it! The butter should be softened to room temperature so it blends seamlessly with the sugar.
Once the butter and sugar are perfectly creamed, add in the 2 large eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to give your cake a wonderful aroma and flavor.
Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with 1/2 cup of whole milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently each time. Don’t overmix at this stage—just stir until everything is combined. Overmixing could lead to a denser cake, and we want light and fluffy!
Once everything is combined, pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top, making sure it’s even so it bakes evenly. Now it’s time for the cake to hit the oven.
Bake the Cake:
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Be sure not to overbake, as we want the cake to stay moist and tender. Once it’s ready, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows it to set slightly before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Glaze for Your Cake
Now that your cake is cooling, let’s focus on creating that luscious strawberry glaze that will elevate your dessert to another level. The beauty of this glaze is in its simplicity—fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and just a touch of milk to bring everything together. The glaze is smooth, glossy, and adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness to complement the soft, fluffy cake.
Making this glaze is so easy that you’ll want to put it on everything from cakes to pancakes, or even use it as a dip for fresh fruit. Plus, it’s completely customizable. If you want a richer glaze, you can use heavy cream instead of milk. And if you’re after a vibrant pop of color, a drop of red food coloring will give your glaze that gorgeous pink hue that makes the cake look as amazing as it tastes.
Make the Strawberry Glaze:
The first step to making this glaze is to prepare your fresh strawberries. Start by hulling and chopping 1 cup of fresh strawberries. Make sure to remove the stems, as they can make the glaze a bit bitter. Once the strawberries are chopped, transfer them to a blender or food processor. Blend them until you have a smooth puree.
If you prefer a super smooth glaze, you can strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds. This step is optional, but it does give the glaze a silky texture without any crunchy bits. Personally, I like a little texture in the glaze, so I skip this part, but the choice is yours!
Once the strawberries are pureed, it’s time to bring them together with the powdered sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry puree and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Be sure to sift the powdered sugar before adding it, as this prevents any lumps from forming in your glaze. Stir everything together until smooth. The powdered sugar will help thicken the puree and turn it into a perfect glaze consistency.
Adjust the Consistency:
At this point, you’ll need to decide if your glaze needs to be a bit thinner or thicker. The glaze should be thick enough to pour over the cake but still flow smoothly. To adjust the consistency, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream. If you’re after a richer, creamier glaze, go for the heavy cream. If you’re looking for a lighter version, stick with milk.
Keep adding a little bit at a time, stirring well, until the glaze reaches your desired thickness. If you’re feeling extra, you can also add a drop or two of red food coloring to make the glaze pop with a bright pink hue. It’s not necessary, but it does make the cake even more visually striking!
Glaze the Cake:
Now that the cake has cooled completely, it’s time to glaze it! Pour the strawberry glaze evenly over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip slightly down the sides. The glaze will set quickly, so you don’t need to worry about it running everywhere. Take your time and make sure the glaze covers every inch of the cake for a beautiful finish.
If you want to get a little creative, you can also garnish the cake with fresh strawberry slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. I love how this adds an extra layer of freshness and texture to each bite.
Let the glaze set for about 10–15 minutes before slicing the cake. This waiting period allows the glaze to firm up slightly, making it easier to cut clean, beautiful slices.
The Finishing Touches
Once the glaze has set and your cake is ready to serve, you’ll have a dessert that’s not only mouthwatering but also visually stunning. The combination of the soft cake and the vibrant strawberry glaze creates a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a casual afternoon tea or a special celebration.
This cake can easily be served on its own, or you can get creative with extra toppings. Some whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream would pair wonderfully with the fruity glaze. And, if you’re looking for something a bit more decadent, a drizzle of chocolate sauce would complement the strawberries perfectly.
The best part? This cake is so easy to make that it will become a go-to recipe in your kitchen. So, grab your ingredients, get your oven preheated, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this deliciously fresh Strawberry Glaze Cake.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Strawberry Glaze Cake
As we near the end of this deliciously easy-to-make strawberry glaze cake journey, I wanted to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions you might have about the recipe. If you’re wondering how to make this cake even better or if you have any substitutions in mind, keep reading!
1. Can I use frozen strawberries for the glaze?
Yes, absolutely! While fresh strawberries are ideal for this glaze, frozen strawberries work just as well. Simply thaw them before blending and proceed with the recipe as usual. You may want to strain the puree a bit more to remove excess liquid, but otherwise, they will create the same beautiful glaze.
2. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Definitely! This cake can be made a day or two ahead of time and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. I recommend glazing the cake just before serving, as the glaze will look its best when freshly poured. If you need to prepare it in advance, just store the cake and the glaze separately until you’re ready to serve.
3. How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make this cake gluten-free, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a good gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the blend you use is one that is formulated for cakes, as this will help with texture and moisture. The rest of the recipe remains the same, and you’ll still get that lovely, tender crumb.
4. Can I add other fruits to the glaze?
Yes, you can! If you’d like to mix things up, you can add other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries to your glaze. Simply substitute the strawberries with the fruit of your choice, and follow the same steps. Just keep in mind that different fruits may alter the color and flavor slightly, so your glaze might have a different hue or sweetness level.
5. What if I don’t have an 8×8-inch pan?
No problem! If you don’t have an 8×8-inch square baking pan, you can use an 8-inch round pan instead. The bake time might vary slightly, so keep an eye on it while it bakes. A 9-inch pan could also work if you prefer a thinner cake, though the bake time may need to be adjusted by a few minutes.
6. Can I use a different frosting instead of the glaze?
While the strawberry glaze is the star of this cake, you can absolutely experiment with different frostings! A light whipped cream frosting or a cream cheese frosting would pair wonderfully with this cake as well. Just keep in mind that the glaze adds a refreshing strawberry flavor that’s hard to replicate with frosting, so it will change the overall experience of the cake.
7. Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe to make a larger cake. If you want to make it in a 9×13-inch pan, simply double all the ingredients. Keep in mind that the bake time might increase slightly, so be sure to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Glaze Cake
This Strawberry Glaze Cake is the perfect balance of simple ingredients, fresh flavors, and beautiful presentation. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself on a weekend, this cake is bound to impress anyone who takes a bite. The moist, tender cake and sweet, vibrant glaze make for a dessert that’s both easy to make and hard to resist.
I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen, and I can’t wait for you to give it a try! The best part is that you can play around with the ingredients and make it your own. Add extra fruit, change the glaze to suit your taste, or even try a different frosting for fun! No matter how you make it, this cake is sure to bring a little sunshine to your day.
If you’ve tried this recipe or made any fun twists on it, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below or share your thoughts. And don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family—you never know, this might just become their new favorite dessert too!
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Strawberry Glaze Cake
Description
This strawberry glaze cake is a perfect spring or summer dessert, offering a sweet and fruity finish with a moist and fluffy cake base. The homemade strawberry glaze gives the cake a fresh, vibrant flavor, while the optional red food coloring adds an extra pop of color.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
For the Strawberry Glaze:
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1–2 tbsp milk (or heavy cream for richness)
Optional: 1–2 drops red food coloring for a brighter pink hue
Instructions
Preheat & Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour an 8×8-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Make the Cake Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk (start and end with the dry ingredients). Mix just until combined—do not overmix.
Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Make the Strawberry Glaze:
In a blender or food processor, puree the chopped strawberries until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, if desired.
In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry puree and powdered sugar. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk (or cream) until the glaze reaches your desired consistency—it should be thick but pourable.
Optional: Add a drop or two of red food coloring for a more vibrant pink color.
Glaze & Serve:
Once the cake has cooled completely, pour the glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to drip slightly down the sides.
Let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices or sprinkles, if desired.
Notes
The combination of tender cake and luscious glaze makes this dessert a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. You can also add a light dusting of powdered sugar for a simple yet elegant look or decorate with fresh strawberries for an extra touch of freshness.
