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Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake Recipe

This Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake features layers of moist white cake, whipped cream frosting, fresh strawberries, and shortbread crumbs, making it a refreshing and delicious dessert.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • stand mixer
  • Cake pans
  • baking sheet
  • piping bag

Ingredients
  

White Cake

  • 2.5 cups cake flour sifted
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 4 large egg whites room temperature
  • 0.5 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1.25 cups full-fat buttermilk room temperature; DIY recipe in notes

Baked Shortbread Crumbs

  • 0.75 cups cake flour
  • 2.5 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 0.125 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Strawberries

  • 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 2 tablespoon strawberry jam
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 1.5 tablespoon cold water
  • 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream cold
  • 0.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Make the White Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C and prepare three 6-inch or two 8-inch cake pans by spraying the sides with baking spray and fitting a parchment paper circle to the bottom of each pan.
  • In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter at high speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and cream it together with the butter at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl and paddle at the halfway point.
  • Turn the mixer to low and add the egg whites one at a time, mixing until they are just combined and scraping down the bowl and paddle as needed.
  • Add the vegetable oil and vanilla, increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 1 minute.
  • Turn the mixer off and add the flour mixture all at once. Mix the ingredients on low speed until just combined, then slowly pour in the buttermilk. Continue mixing at low speed for about 30 seconds, until the batter is uniform and combined.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 28 to 32 minutes. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 5 minutes before removing them to cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Shortbread Crumbs

  • Preheat the oven to 250°F/121ºC and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix with a rubber spatula until the mixture begins to form small clusters.
  • Spread the clusters onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Allow the crumbs to cool completely before using in the cake assembly.

Make the Strawberries

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the sliced strawberries, strawberry jam, and granulated sugar. Let sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator while you make the whipped cream frosting.

Make the Whipped Cream Frosting

  • Chill the metal bowl of your stand mixer for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator or freezer. Sprinkle the gelatin into a small glass measuring cup or microwave safe dish. Add the cold water and whisk until the gelatin is dissolved.
  • While the gelatin is setting, add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into the chilled metal bowl and mix on low speed to combine. Turn the mixer to high speed and beat until the mixture is thickened, stopping just shy of reaching soft peaks, about 1 min.
  • If the gelatin is solidified, pop it into the microwave for 5-10 seconds until the mixture has re-liquified but is still cool to the touch. Use a whisk to briefly stir the gelatin mixture together.
  • With the mixer on low speed, drizzle the liquid gelatin into the cream. Slowly increase the speed to medium-high and continue to beat until you have reached stiff, fluffy peaks, about 2 minutes.

Assembly

  • Once the White Cake layers are cooled, level them to your desired height. Add the first layer onto a cardboard cake round and add some of the strawberry juice as a soak.
  • Fit a piping bag with Wilton Tip 6B and fill it with the Whipped Cream Frosting before piping shells along the outer edge of the cake layer.
  • Pipe a second row of shells to fill in the center of the cake layer. Top with about ⅓ Cup of the strawberries and sprinkle shortbread crumbs on top.
  • Place the next cake layer on top and repeat the process. Continue for any additional layers.
  • Garnish with chamomile flowers if desired.

Notes

DIY Buttermilk recipe: add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a jar and top it with 1 Cup of whole milk. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes before using in the recipe. Make Ahead Tips: The white cake layers can be made ahead and stored at room temperature, covered tightly in plastic wrap, for up to two days, or frozen for up to two months. The shortbread crumbs can be baked ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to one month. The strawberries can be made one day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The whipped cream frosting cannot be made ahead. Store assembled cake or leftovers for 1-3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 3mg
Keyword baking, cake, layer cake, shortcake, strawberry, summer dessert
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