Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Lemonade Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
Zest of 2 lemons
4 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup fresh lemon juice
¾ cup buttermilk
¼ cup sour cream
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
Optional: pink gel food coloring (for a rosy hue)
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, cold
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Zest of 1 lemon
2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Optional Garnishes:
Fresh strawberry halves
Lemon slices or twists
Edible flowers
Crushed freeze-dried strawberries or lemon zest for dusting
Preparation
🧁 Make the Cake Layers:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line four 8-inch cake pans with parchment.
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest until fluffy (3–4 min).
Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping sides as needed. Mix in vanilla.
Combine lemon juice, buttermilk, and sour cream in a measuring cup.
Add dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with buttermilk mixture (start and end with dry).
Fold in finely chopped strawberries and optional pink coloring.
Divide evenly between pans. Bake 22–26 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn onto racks to cool completely.
🍋 Make the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat butter until smooth and creamy.
Add cold cream cheese and beat just until combined and fluffy.
Mix in lemon zest, juice, and a pinch of salt.
Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Don't overmix — it should be creamy but not runny.
Assembly
Level cake layers if needed.
Place one layer on your cake stand. Spread a thick layer of frosting.
Repeat with remaining layers.
Apply a thin crumb coat, chill for 15–20 minutes, then frost the entire cake.
Decorate with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, and any garnishes you like.