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Home » Cakes

Strawberry Lemonade Cake

Published: Mar 12, 2025 by Jenn ·This post may contain affiliate links ·

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Layers of moist lemon cake with pink strawberry buttercream frosting, topped with sliced strawberries makes the perfect Strawberry Lemonade Cake.  Real strawberry puree in the frosting and freshly squeezed lemon juice in the cake layers. This is the perfect spring cake to showcase fresh fruit or to enjoy on a hot summer day along with a glass of lemonade.

Two layer cake topped with strawberries on white table with flowers.

ingredients you need & why

  1. All Purpose Flour
    • Creates a soft cake crumb and works best for this layer cake.
  2. Unsalted Butter
    • Butter instead of oil is used in this cake to enhance the lemon flavor.
    • Make the cake batter with rich European style butter with 82% butterfat for the best flavor. Try brands like President, Plugra, Kerry Gold, or Vermont Creamery if you're in the States.
  3. Granulated Sugar
    • To add sweetness and structure to the cake crumb while enhancing the oils from the fresh lemon zest.
  4. Large Eggs
    • For structure and moisture.
  5. Whole Milk
    • To create a tender crumb for the lemonade cake.
  6. Fresh Lemons
    •  Extra lemon flavor is added to the cake with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
  7. Fresh Ripe Strawberries
    •  For a fabulous strawberry flavor and pink color in the strawberry buttercream frosting.
    • Sliced strawberries are added between the cake layers and on top.
    • **No need for freeze-dried strawberry powder.
  8. Pure Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste
    • Vanilla enhances the lemon flavor in the cake and the strawberry flavor in the frosting.
  9. Powdered Sugar
    • To sweeten and thicken the raspberry buttercream frosting.

**No artificial coloring or lemon extract is needed for this beautiful cake. But, if you prefer a little extra lemon kick start with just a ½ teaspoon and see if you like the results.

Close up of a layer cake with pink frosting topped with strawberries and flowers.

fresh strawberry buttercream frosting

Fresh fruit puree is used in the frosting to make a colorful strawberry flavored pink buttercream. The balance of soft flavors, ripe sweet strawberries, and confectioners' sugar makes the frosting taste just like a strawberry milkshake.

The trick to using fresh strawberries in place of freeze-dried strawberries in a buttercream recipe is to blend them into a liquid consistency first. Add the fruit puree to the beaten softened butter followed slowly by mixing in the powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.

This recipe makes enough strawberry frosting for the entire cake to cover the top and sides of the cake. I like to see the sliced strawberries in between the cake layers, therefore I chose to only frost the top of each layer.

step by step:

To assemble a layer cake, first make sure your cake layers are cold. I like to wrap my cooled layers in plastic wrap and set them in freezer for about 30 minutes. This really helps when I go to spread the frosting and prevents tearing the outer crumb layer of the cake.

Once cake layers are ready, add a small dollup of frosting onto the cake stand to help secure the first layer. Next, place the bottom layer on the cake stand and cover it with a generous layer of strawberry buttercream. Smooth the buttercream with an offset spatula and cover with sliced strawberries.

Plain layer of lemon cake on a plate.
Bottom layer of a cake with pink frosting on plate.
Single layer cake with pink frosting and sliced strawberries on table.

Next, gently place the top cake layer onto the first, repeating with the frosting and strawberry slices. Feel free to cover the sides of your strawberry cake layers with buttercream if you like. I just feel like the naked layers give a lovely appearance and is a nice ratio for this sweet dessert.

Finally, top the frosted cake with edible spring flowers for a little more decoration.

Two layers of lemon cake with strawberries and pink frosting in the middle on a white plate.
Layer cake with pink frosting on a white table next to vase of flowers.
Two layer lemon cake topped with sliced strawberries on table next to flowers.

helpful tips


Weigh Your Ingredients:
My recipes are all tested by weighing ingredient in grams to be the most accurate. By using a kitchen scale, your recipe will turn out as close to the written recipe as possible. This is the kitchen scale I use everyday.

Weigh Cake Batter for Even Cake Layers:
To bake even layers, I always weigh the batter filled cake pans, using my kitchen scale. Tap the pans on the counter to release any extra air bubbles from the batter. Use baking strips like these, which I wrap around my cake pans for even heat distribution.

DO NOT OVER BAKE the Cake Layers:
Avoid overbaking the cake layers to keep them from becoming dry and crumbly! The cakes are done when the center sets and the edges start turning golden brown. Lightly press your finger on the center of the cake to test—if it feels slightly firm or offers a bit of resistance, it's ready.

Keep an Eye on the Oven:
Ovens heat differently, causing slight variations in baking times. For best results, watch your cakes closely and adjust as needed.

Frost Cold Cake Layers:
Let cake layers cool in pan on rack before flipping out. Then, carefully invert the pans onto wire rack and allow to completely cool. Once cooled, leave parchment paper on bottom, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for about 25 minutes to slightly firm. Cold cake layers make assembly easy and prevent crumbs in your frosting.

Slice of two layer lemon cake topped with strawberries on a  stack of white plates on a table with flowers.

Optional Cake Topping

Use Strawberry Jam or Lemon Curd
Replace the sliced strawberries between the two layers of cake with chunky strawberry jam, fruit preserves, or lemon curd. Spread buttercream frosting onto the bottom cake layer. Followed by a layer of strawberry jam or curd just in the center of the frosting. Place the second cake layer and repeat. Finish with sliced strawberries for decoration.

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Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ★★★★★ rating in the recipe card below and consider leaving a comment as well, thanks!

Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, and email newsletter to get all the new recipes!

Two layer cake topped with strawberries on white table with flowers.
Jenn Davis

Strawberry Lemonade Cake

5 from 18 votes
Strawberry Lemonade Cake, is a moist two layer lemon cake made with fresh strawberry buttercream frosting and sliced strawberries.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Ingredient Tips
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 338
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

Lemonade Cake Batter
  • 344 grams (2 ¾ cups) all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 113 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 300 grams (1 ½ cups) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 80 grams (⅓ cup) fresh lemon juice
  • 240 grams (1 cup) whole milk, room temperature
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
  • 113 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 550 grams (5 cups) powdered sugar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • 167 grams (1 cup) fresh strawberry puree, *4-5 fresh strawberries pureed into liquid
  • kosher salt, as needed to taste
Cake Toppings
  • fresh strawberries, tops removed and sliced
Prevent your screen from going dark

Method
 

Cake Batter
  1. Preheat Oven to 350℉ / 180℃ / 160℃ Fan (convection). Prepare two 8-inch round baking pans with non-stick baking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, hand whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
    344 grams (2 ¾ cups) all purpose flour
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  3. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium with paddle attachment until fluffy. Scrape around the edges and across the bottom once or twice to make sure everything is incorporated.
    113 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter
    300 grams (1 ½ cups) granulated sugar
  4. Add lemon zest and vanilla, followed by the eggs one at a time while continuing to mix on medium low speed.
    2 tablespoons lemon zest
    4 large eggs
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  5. Slowly spoon half the flour into mixture at low speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
  6. Continue on medium speed alternating between spooning in flour and pouring in milk and lemon juice. Mix until a smooth cake batter is formed.
    80 grams (⅓ cup) fresh lemon juice
    240 grams (1 cup) whole milk
  7. Divide the batter between the three pans. ( or two if using 8 inch pans.)
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean after being inserted down the center.
  9. Let each cake completely cool on rack. Then invert and remove layers from pans. Remove parchment paper and place cakes directly onto the wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Now make your frosting!
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
  1. Clean and dry your stand mixer bowl and fit with the paddle attachment.
  2. Place the room temperature butter in the bowl and beat until fluffy.
    113 grams (½ cup) unsalted butter
  3. Add strawberry puree (strawberries blended into a liquid), vanilla, and 2 cups of the powdered sugar. Mix on medium speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of bowl as needed while making frosting.
    550 grams (5 cups) powdered sugar
    167 grams (1 cup) fresh strawberry puree
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  4. Continue to add remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar slowly until frosting is thick but still spreadable. If you want a stiffer frosting add more powdered sugar, a ¼ cup at a time. To thin the frosting add a tablespoon of whole milk.
    550 grams (5 cups) powdered sugar
  5. Taste the frosting and mix in a pinch of salt if it tastes too sweet.
    kosher salt
  6. Place one cake layer onto the cake stand.
  7. Using an offset spatula cover with frosting. Layer with sliced strawberries. Repeat with second layer.
    fresh strawberries
  8. Add top and cover with frosting. Then layer with more sliced strawberries.
  9. Slice and serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcal

Notes

Cake Pans:
This recipe will make a three layer 6-inch cake or a two layer 8-inch cake.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was! Tag and share on Instagram @twocupsflour

Reader Interactions

5 from 18 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Jenn

    April 24, 2018 at 6:56 am

    thanks Ashley! Baking the cakes on same rack is key. Depending on your oven, may need a bit longer, try the toothpick test and if it comes out gooey give them a couple more minutes. Oh yes, I have had buttercream break before, best to let your butter sit out for 3 hrs prior to making, so that its room temp. So glad it tasted yummy!!

    Reply
  2. Karen

    May 15, 2018 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    I saw this cake on Instagram and decided to give it a go for my sister's birthday. Turned out great and we are still eating on it.

    Reply
    • Jenn

      May 15, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      Yay! So glad you are loving it! I froze several pieces for later:)

      Reply
  3. Amy

    May 24, 2018 at 2:03 am

    Baked this cake a few weeks ago - the cake was beautiful and so delicious- the texture and flavor were amazing!

    Reply
    • Jenn

      May 24, 2018 at 8:26 am

      That's wonderful Amy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you for sharing:)

      Reply
  4. Jan

    June 03, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    5 stars
    This cake is both beautiful and delicious! The lemon flavor of the cake compliments the wonderful strawberry buttercream, which I think tastes just like strawberry ice cream. I could eat it with a spoon!! This cake is a winner!!

    Reply
  5. Bernice

    July 17, 2019 at 7:18 pm

    Does this recipe work well as cupcakes. If so, are there any changes needed for success?

    Reply
    • Jenn

      July 31, 2019 at 10:51 am

      Hi Bernice! yes it does! I am working on a blog post for this. Fill cupcake cups to the top and lower temp to 325F.

      Reply
  6. Arpita Mishra

    May 06, 2020 at 1:12 am

    hi! how is cake flour different from APF?

    Reply
    • Jenn

      May 06, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      The cake flour adds a lighter texture to the crumb. But if you would rather use just All Purpose Flour thats ok too.

      Reply
  7. Mary Condon

    May 17, 2020 at 2:15 am

    5 stars
    Just made this cake! yes I am sitting here typing this as i am eat my slice! it is so amazing! lite and so yummy! it didnt come out as pretty as yours but so yummy and i made it for my husband and he loved it!
    Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Mara

    July 09, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Would this work for two 9 inch pans? I love all your recipes 🙂

    Reply
  9. Ronak Mehta

    September 22, 2020 at 11:52 pm

    5 stars
    Baked this cake for my birthday and it was an absolute hit! So moist and tasty. Thank you for doing what you do

    Reply
  10. Lili Alvarez

    June 14, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    I love this recipe!, I made it sugar free and change a little bit the frosting for one with less calories...and it turns delicious!!

    Reply
  11. Chloe

    April 10, 2025 at 5:51 am

    Do you have any recommendations for an egg substitute?

    Reply
5 from 18 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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