Name: Strawberry Cake That Tastes Like Summer – Easy Cake Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped; 1 box white cake mix; 1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin; 4 eggs; 1 cup vegetable oil; 1/4 cup water; 1/2 cup mashed strawberries

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I’ve baked a lot of cakes over the years, but nothing hits like a strawberry cake when the weather gets warm. It’s fruity, it’s soft, and let’s be honest—it smells like your kitchen just got a hug. This one’s a keeper. We’re talking real strawberries, not that fake boxed mix with questionable pink. Just honest, juicy berries folded into a batter so easy, you could probably pull this off while half-listening to a podcast. If you’re hunting for sweet easy recipes that don’t ask for fancy ingredients or a degree in pastry science, this is your match. I’ve tested this one with the air fryer too—yep, it works. But my go-to is still the oven for that just-right golden top. I make this when I want something that looks impressive but comes together in a pinch—hello, quick and easy recipes! This strawberry cake is one of those easy dessert recipes you’ll keep in your back pocket. Whether you want to impress your in-laws, treat your kids, or sneak a midnight slice (no judgment), it delivers. It’s a budget-friendly bake that feels like a splurge—homemade cake recipes don’t get much better than this.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Strawberry Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Strawberry Cake
4) How to Make Strawberry Cake
5) Tips for Making Strawberry Cake
6) Making Strawberry Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Strawberry Cake
8) Try these Cakes next!
9) Strawberry Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This is one of the easiest strawberry cake recipes to pull off even if baking isn’t your thing
You’ll use a cake mix, but the real strawberries and strawberry gelatin add homemade depth
Perfect for parties, birthdays, or a Sunday where you just want something sweet and pink
Customizable with frostings, toppings, and even different berries if strawberries aren’t available

2) Easy Strawberry Cake Recipe

Every now and then, I want a dessert that feels like summer without needing a full-on trip to the farmer’s market. This strawberry cake? It’s that. Bright, soft, and sweet, it’s a cake that makes people think you spent hours, but really, it came together while the coffee brewed.

I love easy cake recipes that still feel special. You mix, bake, cool, and boom — you’ve got a homemade cake people won’t believe started from a box. I use real strawberries, not just flavoring, so the texture is rich, not gummy, and the color’s naturally pink, not radioactively neon.

If you’ve been scrolling for sweet easy recipes, especially ones that can fit into a quick and easy recipes routine, this one checks all the boxes. It’s also flexible. Don’t want to frost it? Dust with powdered sugar. Want to go full glam? Whipped cream and sliced berries do the trick.

3) Ingredients for Strawberry Cake

2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped: These bring real flavor. None of that artificial strawberry vibe. Just juicy chunks folded into the mix.

1 box white cake mix: Go ahead, take the shortcut. We’re all friends here. It’s the base that lets everything else shine.

1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin: This is where the magic happens. That deep pink hue? Thank this little guy.

4 eggs: They make the batter rich, stable, and hold all the goodness together while baking.

1 cup vegetable oil: For moisture that lasts more than one day. No dry cake on my watch.

1/4 cup water: Just enough to help the batter loosen up. Nothing wild here.

1/2 cup mashed strawberries: These get worked into the mix. They give every bite that “real fruit” wow factor.

4) How to Make Strawberry Cake

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the cake from sticking and turning into a rescue mission.

Step 2: In a big mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and strawberry gelatin. Stir like you mean it until the powders are one color.

Step 3: Crack in the eggs, pour in the oil, add the water, and spoon in the mashed strawberries. Mix until everything’s silky smooth with no lumps.

Step 4: Fold in the chopped strawberries. They’ll look chunky now but trust me, once baked, it’s like biting into strawberry shortcake clouds.

Step 5: Pour the batter evenly into your cake pans. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. That’s the charm.

Step 6: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick slides out clean and the kitchen smells like strawberry heaven.

Step 7: Let the cakes cool completely. Then frost or don’t. It’s your party.

5) Tips for Making Strawberry Cake

Use fresh strawberries when you can. They taste better and don’t turn the cake into a soggy mess. Frozen works, but thaw them well and pat them dry.

Don’t overmix. Once everything’s combined, stop. Overworking the batter makes it tough, and no one wants a chewy cake.

If your cake rises with a little dome, just slice the top off to even it out. I usually eat that part standing at the counter while the rest cools. Call it a baker’s perk.

6) Making Strawberry Cake Ahead of Time

You can bake the cake layers a day ahead. Just let them cool, wrap them up tight in plastic, and keep them at room temp. They’ll stay soft and ready for frosting.

If you’re frosting it later, don’t slice into it early. That trap is real. The cake dries fast once cut. Patience pays off in full flavor.

Want to prep everything but bake later? Mix your wet and dry separately, then combine just before baking. The fresher the mix, the fluffier the cake.

7) Storing Leftover Strawberry Cake

Leftovers (if you have any) can chill in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just cover with foil or a cake dome so the edges don’t dry out.

If your cake’s frosted, let it come to room temp before serving again. The texture softens back up and the flavor pops a little more.

You can freeze the layers too. Just wrap them in plastic and stash in a freezer bag. They’ll last up to 3 months that way.

8) Try these Cakes next!

9) Strawberry Cake