Homemade Vanilla Cake With Strawberry Filling
Soft, fluffy homemade vanilla cake with strawberry filling is a classic flavor combination that creates a beautifully balanced dessert that feels elegant enough for celebrations (or even Valentine’s Day), yet simple enough to enjoy anytime you’re craving a fresh, fruity treat.
There’s something undeniably special about a classic vanilla cake, especially when it’s made completely from scratch!
With its soft, tender crumb and warm, buttery flavor, vanilla cake is a timeless dessert that never goes out of style. But when you add a luscious, homemade strawberry filling between those fluffy layers of moist vanilla cake, it transforms into a bakery-worthy treat that feels both elegant and comforting.
The combination of light vanilla cake and sweet, slightly tangy strawberries creates a perfectly balanced dessert that tastes just as beautiful as it looks.
This vanilla cake with strawberry filling is the perfect celebration cake for birthdays, spring and summer gatherings, Valentine’s Day, or anytime you want to make a dessert that feels extra special without being overly complicated.
The fresh strawberry filling adds a burst of fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with the delicate vanilla cake layers, creating a dessert that’s both refreshing and indulgent.
Whether you’re baking for a celebration or simply treating your family, keep reading to learn how to create a stunning cake that’s guaranteed to impress and have everyone reaching for seconds!
Ingredients Needed
Here’s everything you need to make this delicious homemade cake with sweet strawberry filling!
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Dairy – Unsalted butter and whole milk (or buttermilk
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Pure vanilla extract
- Fresh strawberries
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch
- Strawberry Vanilla Frosting
NOTE: For full recipe details for this delicious strawberry cake, please refer to the handy printable recipe card at the bottom of the post!
How To Make Vanilla Cake With Strawberry Filling
This cake is super easy to make! Just follow this step-by-step process:
1. Make the Strawberry Cake Filling
In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to release the juices.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Add this mixture to the strawberries in the saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
2. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
3. Make the Vanilla Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt). Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 4-5 minutes).
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk (beginning and ending with the flour). Mix until just combined and smooth.
4. Bake 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 comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Assemble the Cake
Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of strawberry filling over the first layer.
Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the frosting. Decorate with extra strawberries on top of the whole cake and drizzle with any remaining frosting if desired. Chill for about 45 min before serving.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Slice and enjoy your delicious vanilla cake with strawberry filling!
Feel free to adjust any part of the recipe to your liking! Enjoy baking your cake!
Vanilla Cake With Strawberry Filling Expert Tips
I recommend leveling the cake before adding filling between the layers and frosting cake – It’s really easy – just take a serrated knife and carefully slice off the top of the cake layers to make a flat surface. No fancy tools or perfection needed, but leveling the cake does provide a sturdy layer cake that doesn’t lean.
Use room temperature ingredients. Using ingredients at roughly the same temperature helps the batter mix evenly. To bring your ingredients to room temperature, set them out on the counter about 1 hour before making your cake.
Cool cake completely. Taking shortcuts by assembling semi-warm cake layers just doesn’t work – trust me (melted frosting, collapsing cake, etc). It’s 100% worth the time to make sure all layers are cool – put the layers in the fridge or freezer if you need to!
Chill before serving. After frosting the cake, let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to help set the frosting and cake layers. That will help your cake slice cleanly!
Variations To Try
Use a box mix – If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of making cake from scratch, you can use a box cake mix! It’ll save you a little time too.
Change the cake flavor – I love the way the white cake looks (and tastes) in this recipe. However, you could easily replace the white cake with yellow cake or even chocolate cake.
Make it gluten-free
You can make this delicious treat gluten-free! To do that, replace your cake with a gluten-free version. You can use your own favorite recipe or a gluten-free box cake mix.
The strawberry frosting is already gluten-free, so you don’t need to worry about that!
Vanilla Cake With Strawberry Filling Storage
After cooling and frosting, transfer the cake to an airtight cake carrier and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
Alternatively, you can slice the cake and arrange the slices in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze this cake, but I recommend freezing the layers separately, prior to frosting. Wrap each layer completely in clear wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
Thaw the cake layers before assembling and frosting the cake. Store the cake in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
More Delicious Desserts To Try
- Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe
- Cinnamon Coffee Cake Bundt Cake
- Raspberry Cheesecake
- Rainbow Unicorn Cake
- Death By Chocolate Poke Cake
- Homemade Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Pin For Later!
Homemade Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to release the juices.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Add this mixture to the strawberries in the saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 4-5 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk (beginning and ending with the flour). Mix until just combined and smooth.
- 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 comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of strawberry filling over the first layer.
- Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the vanilla frosting. Decorate with whole strawberries on top and drizzle with any remaining frosting if desired. Chill for about 45 min before serving.
- Slice and enjoy your delicious vanilla cake with strawberry filling! This delightful cake is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or simply indulging yourself.
