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Perfect Stars and Stripes Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake

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A triple-layered, cream-drenched, red-white-and-blue strawberry shortcake layer cake perfect for patriotic occasions and summer celebrations. This easy recipe balances moist vanilla cake, macerated strawberries, and fluffy whipped cream for a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 4 cups (about 600 grams) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • ¼ cup (30 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans or line with parchment circles.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently on low speed until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  8. While cakes cool, toss sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  9. Chill mixing bowl and beaters for 10 minutes. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  10. Assemble cake by placing one layer on a serving plate. Spread whipped cream, then half the macerated strawberries. Add second layer and repeat. Finish with a final layer of whipped cream and decorate with extra strawberries and blueberries.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and milk for smooth batter and even baking. Chill bowl and beaters before whipping cream to achieve stable peaks. Macerate strawberries to bring out natural sweetness and juiciness. Cake layers can be baked a day ahead and wrapped tightly. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine, milk with almond or coconut milk, and whipped cream with whipped coconut cream. Trim cake tops if uneven for better stacking.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry shortcake, patriotic dessert, Fourth of July cake, layer cake, summer dessert, whipped cream cake, berry cake

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/perfect-stars-and-stripes-strawberry-shortcake-layer-cake-recipe-easy-patriotic-dessert-idea/