Welcome to strawberry season! Is there anything more delightful than fresh, ripe strawberries? We certainly don’t think so, and this Strawberry Shortcake Cake recipe is the perfect way to celebrate this sweet time of year. If you’re searching for an easy-to-make dessert that’s bursting with vibrant berry flavor and creamy goodness, you’ve found your new favorite. This isn’t just any cake; it’s a luscious, moist white cake topped with an incredibly smooth, sweet cream cheese frosting, all finished with a dazzling fresh strawberry glaze. It’s a requested favorite among family and friends, offering a delightful twist on the classic Southern Strawberry Shortcake, elevated into a celebration-worthy cake that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
Strawberry Shortcake Cake: A Sweet Slice of Summer
Imagine biting into a soft, tender cake, followed by a cool, velvety frosting, and then the burst of juicy strawberries. This Strawberry Shortcake Cake delivers exactly that experience. It’s a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of summer, bringing together light and fluffy cake layers with the irresistible freshness of peak-season strawberries. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is designed for success, promising a stunning dessert that tastes as good as it looks.
“Very very good. Made it for my wife who loves strawberry desserts. She couldn’t stop raving about this. Thank you! – Dan”
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Strawberry Cake Recipe
There are countless reasons why this Strawberry Shortcake Cake has become a beloved classic. Its simple elegance makes it perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to more formal celebrations. The use of a quality cake mix streamlines the baking process without sacrificing flavor or texture, resulting in a consistently moist and tender crumb. The rich cream cheese frosting adds a tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the fresh strawberries, while the vibrant strawberry glaze not only enhances the flavor but also creates a beautiful, glossy finish that’s utterly irresistible. Plus, the combination of a light cake with fresh fruit offers a refreshing contrast to heavier desserts, making it ideal for warmer weather or after a hearty meal. It’s a dessert that truly has something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Shortcake Cake:
Absolutely not! While a classic white cake mix provides a clean canvas for the strawberry flavors, feel free to experiment. A yellow or French vanilla cake mix would be excellent choices, adding a richer, more buttery note to the cake. For a fun twist, consider a Funfetti or Rainbow Chip mix, especially if you’re making this for a birthday or a playful occasion. Even a chocolate cake mix could offer a surprising and delightful flavor contrast, creating a chocolate-covered strawberry inspired dessert. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences.
Strawberry glaze is typically easy to locate in most major grocery stores. You’ll usually find it in the produce section, often right alongside the fresh strawberries themselves, or sometimes in the baking aisle. It comes in a convenient pre-made container, making this recipe even quicker. If you prefer a homemade touch or can’t find it at your local store, you can certainly make your own. Many simple recipes for strawberry pie glaze work perfectly for this cake, allowing you to control the sweetness and consistency. You can find a fantastic simple glaze recipe in our Strawberries and Cream Bars post that would be ideal.
Of course! This recipe is designed to be highly adaptable. While using a cake mix simplifies the process significantly, if you have a favorite scratch white cake recipe, feel free to use it. Making the cake from scratch will add an extra layer of homemade flavor and texture. Just ensure your scratch cake yields a similar volume to a standard 9×13 inch cake mix. One of our favorite classic white cake recipes can be found here, which would pair wonderfully with the creamy frosting and fresh strawberry topping.
Due to the fresh ingredients and cream cheese frosting, this Strawberry Shortcake Cake absolutely needs to be refrigerated. To keep it fresh, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When properly stored, it should remain delicious for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. If you anticipate having leftovers for longer, or wish to prepare it in advance, you can freeze the cake. However, we highly recommend freezing it *without* the strawberry topping, as the fresh strawberries can become mushy and release too much water upon thawing. Add the glaze and fresh strawberries only after thawing the cake and frosting.
Essential Ingredients for Your Strawberry Shortcake Cake:
Crafting this delightful cake requires a few key components, all chosen for their ability to deliver maximum flavor and ease. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, along with some helpful tips:
- White (or Yellow) Cake Mix: This is your foundational layer. While a classic white mix creates a beautiful contrast, a yellow or French vanilla cake mix would also be absolutely excellent, lending a richer flavor profile. Follow the package instructions carefully for best results.
- Egg Whites, Oil, and Water: These are the standard liquid ingredients called for on most cake mix boxes. Using egg whites (if specified for a white cake mix) helps maintain the cake’s light color and fluffy texture.
- Cream Cheese: Crucial for that tangy, sweet, and unbelievably creamy frosting. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free consistency. If you’re in a hurry, check out our tips on How to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar. This finely milled sugar is essential for creating a smooth, delicate frosting texture. Sifting it can help prevent lumps.
- Whipped Topping (COOL WHIP): This adds lightness and volume to the cream cheese frosting. While store-bought Cool Whip makes this recipe incredibly easy, you can certainly use homemade whipped cream if you prefer. Just be sure it’s stabilized so it holds up well.
- Strawberry Glaze: The star of the show! We opt for the store-bought variety for convenience, but a homemade version is also fantastic. As mentioned in our FAQ, you can find a simple glaze recipe in our Strawberries and Cream Bars post that works perfectly for this cake.
- Fresh Strawberries: The absolute heart of this dessert. Choose firm, bright red strawberries for the best flavor and appearance. Hull and slice them just before combining with the glaze to maintain freshness.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Cake:
Making this incredible cake is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a dessert that will impress everyone.
Bake the Cake Base: Begin by preparing your chosen cake mix according to the package directions. For this recipe, we recommend using a 9×13-inch baking dish. Ensure you follow the specific amounts for eggs, oil, and water listed on your cake mix box. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step – attempting to frost a warm cake will lead to a melty, messy disaster!
Prepare the Creamy Frosting: While your cake cools, you can prepare the delicious cream cheese frosting. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer (or by hand with a whisk if you prefer a workout!) until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well incorporated.
Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Use a spatula and incorporate it carefully to maintain its airy texture. Mix until just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, which can deflate the whipped topping. This creates a light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet frosting layer.
Frost the Cooled Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the creamy frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure to cover the entire surface for a beautiful presentation and consistent flavor in every bite.
Prepare the Strawberry Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the premade strawberry glaze with your fresh, hulled, and sliced strawberries. Gently fold them together until the strawberries are evenly coated. This creates a vibrant, juicy topping that’s bursting with fresh berry flavor.
Add the Glazed Strawberries: Carefully spread the strawberry and glaze mixture over the frosted cake. Distribute the strawberries evenly for an appealing look and delicious fruit in every serving. The vibrant red against the white frosting is truly a sight to behold.
Chill, Slice, and Serve: Once assembled, refrigerate the cake for at least an hour to allow the frosting and glaze to set. This also helps meld the flavors together beautifully. Slice and serve this gorgeous dessert. Remember, this cake needs to be kept refrigerated to maintain its freshness and delicious texture. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Strawberry Shortcake Cake:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature. This makes for a smoother, lump-free frosting.
- Don’t Overmix the Frosting: Once you add the whipped topping, fold it in gently to keep the frosting light and airy. Overmixing can cause it to lose its volume.
- Chill Time is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step! It allows the cake, frosting, and glaze to set properly, making for cleaner slices and better flavor integration.
- Fresh is Best: While frozen strawberries can work in a pinch for the glaze, fresh, ripe strawberries will provide the best flavor and texture for this cake.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste your frosting mixture before spreading. If you prefer it sweeter, add a tablespoon or two more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired sweetness.
Variations and Serving Suggestions:
- Mixed Berry Delight: Instead of just strawberries, try combining them with raspberries or blueberries in the glaze for a mixed berry shortcake cake.
- Lemon Zest Boost: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to your cake batter or frosting for a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the sweet strawberries.
- Individual Servings: Instead of a large sheet cake, bake cupcakes using the same cake mix and top each with frosting and glazed strawberries for individual strawberry shortcake cupcakes.
- Garnish: For an extra touch of elegance, garnish each slice with a fresh mint sprig or a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Pair with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside a slice of this cake is a match made in heaven!
CRAVING MORE STRAWBERRY RECIPES?
If you love the sweet taste of strawberries as much as we do, you’ll want to explore these other fantastic berry-filled treats:
- Southern Strawberry Shortcakes
- Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake
- The Best Strawberry Bread
- Heaven on Earth Cake
- Strawberries and Cream Bars
- Strawberry Muffin Mix Waffles
- Strawberry Butter Swim Biscuits
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
- Strawberry Jell-O Parfaits
- Strawberry Dump Cake
- Strawberry Sauce
- The Best Strawberry Pie
- Strawberry Crumble
- Strawberry Poke Cake
- Cherry Pie Bars
- Easy Cherry Cobbler
Originally published: March 2012
Updated & republished: June 2025
Strawberry Shortcake Cake Recipe
Strawberry Shortcake Cake features a moist vanilla cake base, generously topped with a sweet, creamy frosting, and crowned with a luscious fresh strawberry glaze. It’s the perfect easy dessert for any occasion!
Average Rating: 4.99 out of 5 stars (83 Reviews)
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Prep Time: 20 minutes |
Cook Time: 30 minutes |
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 |
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (yellow or French Vanilla also work)
- Additional ingredients to make cake; eggs, oil and water (use amounts on back of box)
- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip)
- 13.5 ounce container premade strawberry glaze
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions
Prepare 1 box white cake mix according to package directions using the additional ingredients to make cake; eggs, oil and water for a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake using times on the back of the box. Allow the cake to cool completely.
Once cake is fully cooled, you can move onto this step. In a mixing bowl, combine 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature with 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth.
Gently stir in 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed and combine well.
Smooth over the cooled cake.
In a bowl combine 13.5 ounce container premade strawberry glaze with 3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced.
Spread this mixture evenly on top of the cake.
Slice and serve. Keep refrigerated.
Video Tutorial
Notes
- This cake needs to be kept refrigerated.
- You can usually find the strawberry glaze in the fruit section of your grocery store. Most grocers keep it right next to the strawberries. You can also make your own strawberry pie glaze if you have a favorite recipe for it.
Course: Dessert |
Cuisine: American
Nutrition Facts (Estimated Per Serving)
Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 493mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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