This strawberry buttermilk cake is one of those simple signature cakes every baker needs ~ soft, tender, full of fresh berries, and universally loved.
It’s the cake I come back to every strawberry season: simple to make, and so pretty. My strawberry buttermilk cake works for a weekend breakfast, feels special enough for company, and has earned a permanent place in my rotation.
What readers are saying about this strawberry buttermilk cake
➡ “Wow ~ this is the best cake I’ve ever had!”
➡ “Easy and fun to make. I’ve made this breakfast cake several times now and it always gets raves.”
➡ “We ate this entire cake in one sitting -SO GOOD!!
➡ “it is my favorite cake recipe ever! It has been a hit at every event I have brought it to!”
Ingredient notes
This recipe includes almost a pound of strawberries, which sounds like a lot for a one layer cake, but trust me, it works. The berries bake with the cake batter to create a soft, custardy interior which is magical.
- strawberries
- I like to use good quality ripe berries that aren’t too big ~ small to medium size berries have the best flavor, usually. Baking enhances the flavor of the berries, but it helps to start with good ones.
- sour cream and buttermilk
- Why use both? Buttermilk keeps the crumb light and tender, while sour cream adds richness and a little structure. Together they give this strawberry cake that just-right texture ~ soft, plush, and sturdy enough to hold all those juicy berries.
Baking details that matter
- Follow the recipe exactly the first time.
- Cake recipes rely on precision, and even small changes can affect the final texture. This strawberry buttermilk cake is simple, but it’s worth making as written before experimenting.
- Buy a 16-ounce package of strawberries.
- You won’t use every last berry. I found 14 ounces to be the sweet spot, so save a few for serving.
- Dry the berries thoroughly.
- After washing, spread the strawberries out on a clean dish towel and let them dry. Wet berries can add extra moisture to the batter and make the cake too soft in the center.
- Jumbo eggs are intentional.
- I used jumbo eggs for this cake, which I know is unusual, but they gave me the texture I was after. If you only have large eggs, use 3 large eggs instead ~ that works well too.
- Use a springform pan if you can.
- This cake is tender and fruit-filled, so the removable outer ring makes it much easier to slice and serve neatly. You can use a regular cake pan, but plan to serve the cake directly from the pan.
- Store it loosely covered.
- This cake is best the day it’s made. If you need to store it, cover it loosely with foil and keep it at room temperature; airtight wrapping can soften the top too much.
Best pan for making this strawberry cake
I recommend: 9-inch Spring Form Pan
A spring form pan is handy for a recipe like this because the cake is very delicate, and removing it from a regular cake pan would be impossible. With a spring form pan you can release the sides so that even the most delicate cakes can be presented and sliced perfectly. I use my spring form pan for cornbread too because I love to be able to remove it and serve it on the table beautifully sliced. USA makes a whole line of bakeware and I’m slowly replacing all my pans. Plus, they’re made in the USA!
Your questions
Fresh strawberries are best here because they hold their shape and don’t flood the batter. Frozen berries can work in some cakes, but I don’t recommend them for this one.
Yes, but plan to serve it from the pan. This cake is tender and fruit-filled, so a springform pan makes slicing and serving much neater.
It’s best the day it’s baked, when the top is prettiest and the texture is freshest. You can bake it earlier in the day and leave it loosely covered at room temperature.
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Strawberry Buttermilk Cake
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Equipment
- a 9 or 10 inch spring form pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, or 2 jumbo eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 14 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Lightly spray a 9 or 10 inch spring form pan.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.
- Cream the soft butter and sugar together in a stand mixer for 3-4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the side of the bowl a couple of times.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then beat in the vanilla.
- Stir the sour cream and buttermilk together to blend, and then add the flour to the mixing bowl alternately with the sourcream/milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until combined, but don't over mix.
- Fold in the berries and turn into the prepared pan. Smooth out the top. Sprinkle the surface of the cake liberally with granulated sugar.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the cake no longer jiggles in the center and the top is golden and slightly crackled. The exact cooking time will depend on the pan size you use. You can insert a toothpick in the center to test.
- Let cool briefly, and then unlatch the spring and remove the outer ring. I like to run a spreading knife along the edge first to loosen any parts of the cake that are sticking to the pan. Cool completely on a rack before slicing.
Notes
- I used half sour cream and half buttermilk, but you can use all sour cream, all buttermilk, half and half, full fat yogurt, or full fat milk for this cake.
- You can bake this in a 9 inch cast iron skillet. Serve it right in the pan.
- Try it with other fruit, especially other berries like blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
Nutrition
What to make next with strawberries
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake is the iconic American summer dessert with ripe strawberries, whipped cream, and a delicate, crumbly shortcake.
Strawberry Sheet Cake
Strawberry sheet cake is a soft yellow cake topped with an irresistible fresh strawberry frosting. It’s a classic summer dessert, done right!
Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream
An old fashioned strawberry ice cream recipe.
The Best Spring Strawberry Cakes
The prettiest strawberry cakes to celebrate spring ~ perfect for Mother’s Day, Easter, birthdays, baby showers, and graduations. Spring is full of reasons to celebrate ~ birthdays, new babies, weddings, graduations, and backyard parties. That means you’re going to need a great strawberry cake or two, and luckily you’ve come to the right place. Here
Made this today, baked for 45 minutes. I think next time I will add a touch less sugar and use the whole 16 oz. of strawberries. Regardless, a delicious cake! Tastes like the cakeist pancake. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Thanks so much Caroline, I appreciate the feedback so much, it helps everybody. Wouldn’t this be amazing as pancakes!!
This looks amazing! I have a ton of blueberries and don’t want to go shopping again…, would you do anything differently with blueberries?
No, I think they’d work with the same recipe Nancy, let us know how it turns out.
I have all ingredients ready to go, but was wondering if anyone has tried it with 3 large eggs vs. 2 jumbo. I only have large … should I try three?
Hey Caz, I just made it with peaches, which will be up on the blog soon, and I used 3 large eggs, it worked great.
It’s very good! Made and approved!:)
Yay!
This cake is too good! My stomach hurts from eating so much. It is delicious. Will definitely make again!
Haha, sorry about the tummy ache, but glad you liked it Shawn.
This cake was a HUGE hit with my family. Strange thing though, I cooked it to the time frame, cake tester came out clean. When we cut into it, it was runny. Through it back in the oven for 20 more minutes. It was perfect. I forgot to dry the strawberries before slicing them. Do you think that could be the issue?
The extra moisture could have been the issue, Marge, and your strawberries could have been extra juicy. I’ll amend the recipe to note that the cooking time can be longer than expected.
Mine fell in the middle as it cooled. Can I still put it back in the oven? I will make a note on my recipe to bake longer next time to begin with. It looked and tested (the toothpick test) done. I’m hoping that I love this recipe!!
If you catch it quickly you can pop it back in the oven.
I might try this with rhubarb or a mix of strawberries and rhubarb.
Report back please!
My brother wants a strawberry cake for his birthday, this looks perfect! I feel as if he’d be disappointed without an icing however, what do you suggest?
Well, this cake is really more of a coffee cake than a dessert cake, and while you could frost it, it would be a little odd. If it were me, I’d maybe serve it with macerated strawberries or a strawberry sauce for some added excitement? Or maybe a strawberry glaze made with pureed strawberry mixed with powdered sugar.
This looks delicious and easy. PERFECT! Can’t wait to try it, maybe over Memorial Day weekend-family coming.
I just pulled a peach version out of the oven…
I have a bunch of fresh rhubarb from my moms garden. Do you think I could add some into this cake? It looks delicious
Absolutely I think that would be really great, the two go so well together. You could also use all rhubarb if you wanted to.