Introduction
Transform simple ingredients into a show-stopping Vanilla Bean Cake with luscious Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting! This recipe is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any day you want to treat your family to something truly special. It’s easier than you think to bake this masterpiece, promising delicious results that will leave everyone wanting more. Get ready to impress!
Why This Works
This recipe works because it’s the perfect balance of simple elegance and delightful flavor. The vanilla bean cake is moist and fragrant, while the strawberry cream cheese frosting adds a burst of fresh, fruity sweetness that complements the vanilla beautifully. It’s a recipe that’s easy enough for beginner bakers, yet impressive enough for seasoned pros.
Key Ingredients
- 🎂 Cake:
- 🧈 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 🥚 4 large eggs
- 🍯 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 🥛 1 cup buttermilk
- 🥄 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 🌾 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 🥄 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 🤏 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 🧂 1 teaspoon salt
- 🍓 Frosting:
- 🧈 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 🍓 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 🍯 4 cups powdered sugar
- 🍓 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and pureed
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
2️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3️⃣ Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste.
4️⃣ Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5️⃣ Alternate Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6️⃣ Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7️⃣ Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8️⃣ Make Frosting: While the cakes cool, make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined. Stir in the strawberry puree.
9️⃣ Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of frosting. Top with the second layer and frost again. Repeat with the third layer. Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
Handy Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for best results. This helps them blend together smoothly.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures the cake bakes evenly and doesn’t burn. If your oven runs hot, consider reducing the temperature slightly and checking for doneness a few minutes early.
Crunch Factor
This cake offers a wonderfully soft and tender crumb, contrasting beautifully with the creamy, smooth frosting. The strawberry puree adds a subtle burst of juicy texture to the frosting.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For extra vanilla flavor, use high-quality vanilla extract and bean paste.
- To make the frosting even smoother, chill it for 30 minutes before frosting the cake.
- A crumb coat (a thin layer of frosting before the final layer) helps to trap crumbs and create a flawlessly smooth finish.
Storage Tips
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Gift Packaging Ideas
This cake is perfect for gifting! Package it in a pretty cake box tied with a ribbon, or create a beautiful presentation on a cake stand.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Lemon Strawberry Swirl: Add the zest of one lemon to the cake batter and swirl in a lemon curd into the frosting.
🌟 Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting: Substitute raspberry puree for the strawberry puree in the frosting recipe.
🌟 Chocolate Vanilla Bean Cake: Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the cake batter.
🌟 Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting: Add ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut to the frosting.
Troubleshooting
- Cake is dry: Ensure you’ve used the correct amount of buttermilk and haven’t overbaked the cake.
- Cake is tough: Avoid overmixing the batter, ensuring the ingredients are just combined.
- Frosting is too thin: Add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
FAQ
- Can I use frozen strawberries? While fresh strawberries are best, you can use thawed frozen strawberries, but make sure to drain any excess liquid before pureeing.
- Can I make this cake ahead of time? Yes, the cake layers can be baked a day or two ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. Frost the cake just before serving.
- Can I substitute other types of flour? While all-purpose flour is recommended, you can experiment with cake flour for a lighter crumb. However, results may vary.
- What if I don’t have buttermilk? You can substitute milk or yogurt with a little lemon juice or vinegar added to create a buttermilk substitute.
Conclusion
This Vanilla Bean Cake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s a delicious and beautiful cake that’s perfect for any occasion. We hope you enjoy baking and sharing this recipe with your loved ones. Don’t forget to share your creations with us on Ratemyrecipes.com!
Vanilla Bean Cake with Dreamy Strawberry Frosting
A moist and flavorful vanilla bean cake topped with a light and fluffy strawberry frosting, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 u00bd cups granulated sugar
- u00bd cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- u00bd teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350u00b0C (175u00b0F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla bean paste.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cake cools, prepare the frosting by beating together the softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
- Add the pureed strawberries and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate, spread a layer of frosting on top, and then place the second layer on top.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining strawberry frosting. Decorate with fresh strawberries if desired.
Tips
- For a richer flavor, let the cake sit overnight before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make sure the butter for frosting is at room temperature for easy mixing and a smoother texture.