Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers

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Imagine slicing into a cake that captures the sweet brightness of strawberries and the tangy zip of fresh lemonade in every single bite. This Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers recipe is a celebration of summer flavors and vibrant color, offering both a nostalgic and refreshing dessert that looks as beautiful as it tastes. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or just want something that feels extra special, this cake delivers in both presentation and flavor.

Each layer of soft, citrus-kissed lemon cake is stacked with luscious strawberry frosting and slices of real berries, creating a fruity balance that never feels too heavy. The contrasting flavors of tart and sweet work in harmony, while the natural pink hue of the frosting makes it a stunner on any table. It’s a homemade showstopper with a bakery-style finish you can absolutely achieve in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers Recipe

You’ll love how this cake brings a touch of summer no matter the season. The lemon flavor is punchy but not overpowering, and the strawberry frosting brings in that classic pink lemonade vibe. This recipe is simple enough for casual bakers but impressive enough for special occasions. Plus, using fresh berries gives every bite an added pop of brightness and texture.

What Kind of Lemon Flavor Works Best?

For this cake, using fresh lemon juice and zest gives you the best natural citrus flavor that pairs beautifully with strawberries. Bottled juice can work in a pinch, but you’ll miss out on the fragrant oils from the zest. If you’re looking to amplify the lemon even more, a few drops of lemon extract will do the trick. But keep the balance — you want to taste the strawberries just as much as the lemon.

Ingredients for the Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers

To create this layered beauty, you’ll need a mix of simple pantry staples and fresh produce. The ingredients are carefully chosen to highlight the fruit flavors while giving you a moist, tender crumb. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Eggs
• Fresh lemon juice and zest
• Buttermilk
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh strawberries
• Powdered sugar
• Cream cheese

Each of these ingredients plays a key role in the recipe. Lemon juice and zest add bold citrus flavor to the cake layers, while buttermilk keeps the texture tender and rich. The strawberries infuse the frosting with a naturally sweet and fruity flavor, and cream cheese helps stabilize it while giving it a tangy richness.

How To Make the Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs, one at a time. Mix in the lemon zest, juice, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2: Combine and Bake

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, mixing gently just until combined. Divide the batter into greased and floured round cake pans. Bake at 350°F until a toothpick comes out clean, usually around 25–30 minutes. Let cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Puree the strawberries and strain to remove excess moisture. Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and strawberry puree. Chill slightly to thicken.

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

Spread frosting between each cake layer and gently press in sliced strawberries if desired. Finish with a generous layer of frosting on top and sides. Garnish with lemon slices or extra berries for a decorative finish.

How to Store and Serve This Layered Cake

This recipe yields a tall, stunning cake that feeds 10 to 12 people, making it perfect for celebrations or gatherings. Once frosted, the cake should be kept in the refrigerator, especially because of the cream cheese frosting. It stays fresh for up to 4 days when covered properly.

Before serving, let it sit out for about 15 minutes so the frosting softens slightly and the lemon and strawberry flavors shine. You can even freeze individual slices by wrapping them well and storing them in an airtight container.

What to Serve With Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers?

Fresh Whipped Cream

A light and airy side that complements the richness of the frosting.

Iced Lemon Tea

Serve a chilled glass of lemon iced tea for a double citrus moment.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Scoop alongside for an extra creamy touch that cools each forkful.

Strawberry Basil Salad

Toss fresh strawberries and basil with a hint of balsamic glaze for a bright contrast.

Sparkling Water with Lemon

Keep things refreshing and simple with a glass of bubbly citrus.

White Chocolate Shavings

Garnish the plate or the top of the cake with curls of white chocolate for elegance.

Roasted Almonds

Add a small dish of lightly salted almonds for a crunchy, savory counterpoint.

Want More Cake Ideas with a Fruity Twist?

If you loved this Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers recipe, you might want to try more dessert recipes that balance fruit and indulgence:

• Southern Hummingbird Cake for a banana-pineapple spice cake with rich cream cheese frosting.
• Rhubarb Shortbread Bars if you love tart fruit on buttery crusts.
• Easy Banana Cream Pie for a chilled, silky classic.
• Blueberry Cheesecake Heaven Rolls for a warm baked treat packed with fruit and creaminess.
• No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake if you’re in the mood for creamy layers without the oven.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use fresh strawberries or try it with raspberries? Did you go bold with lemon curd between layers? I’d love to hear your twist!

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and seasonal sweets on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your next craveable creation.

Conclusion

Strawberry Lemonade Cake Layers bring together the nostalgic charm of pink lemonade with the comfort of a homemade layer cake. Bursting with real fruit, creamy frosting, and sunshine in every bite, it’s a dessert that feels joyful, fresh, and totally irresistible.

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