Easy Strawberry Cake (+Video)
This Easy Strawberry Cake starts with a boxed cake mix, strawberry jell-o, fresh strawberries and is topped with cream cheese frosting!
A SIMPLE STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
This Easy Fresh Strawberry Cake starts with a boxed cake mix, strawberry jell-o, fresh strawberries and is topped with a sweetened cream cheese frosting! It is a deliciously simple way to use all those fresh-picked strawberries. The cake mix makes it easy but the fresh strawberries and cream cheese frosting make it taste totally homemade!
TIPS FOR MAKING STRAWBERRY CAKE:
- For this recipe I am using a vanilla cake mix and adding strawberry Jell-O instead of using a strawberry cake mix. This gives the cake a more homemade flavor rather than tasting like a boxed cake mix. But if you want, you could certainly use a strawberry cake mix.
- I’m also using my go-to cream cheese frosting recipe that I like to use for my Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake. It really is the perfect frosting for this cake but you can use a store-bought canned frosting if that is your preference.
- Frozen strawberries can be used. Just make sure they are unsweetened and thawed before using.
- If you don’t like a cream cheese frosting, just leave out the cream cheese. It will then be a buttercream frosting. Adjust milk in the frosting to get the consistency you enjoy.
- It’s super important that the cream cheese is fully softened. If not, it won’t mix smoothly and you’ll end up with al bumpy frosting.
- This can be made as a layer cake. Just use (2) 8-inch round baking pans. Adjust baking time as necessary (you can go by cake mix instructions on the back of the box.)
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- vanilla cake mix
- strawberry gelatin mix (Jell-O)
- eggs
- vegetable oil
- water
- fresh strawberries
- cream cheese
- butter
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- milk
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Y’all know I love this kind that has flour in it. Perfect for baking.
Give your strawberries a good rinse then gently dry them with a paper towel. Remove the stems and dice them up.
Then stick them in a plastic Ziploc bag and start crushing them up. I’m using the flat side of my meat tenderizer here but you can use any heavy object or a rolling pin. This will probably take you a minute or two.
Then stick them in a plastic Ziploc bag and start crushing them up. I’m using the flat side of my meat tenderizer here but you can use any heavy object or a rolling pin. This will probably take you a minute or two.
In the bowl, combine cake mix with strawberry gelatin powder. Mix until combined.
Then stir in oil, eggs and water.
Once that is combined, add in 1 cup of your smooshed strawberries. You will want to gently stir those in by hand.
Then pour batter into baking dish.
Bake for about 30-33 minutes. Oven times do vary, so to make sure it is done, stick a toothpick in the center, if it comes out clean, it is good to go. Allow cake to cool completely before adding frosting. If you’ve ever made a strawberry cake before, you know they always brown a bit on top. No worries, that is normal. We are gonna cover it up with frosting anyway.
To make the frosting, mix together your softened butter and softened cream cheese. It’s easiest if you have an electric mixer.
Mix until smooth and creamy and lump-free. Then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Mix until smooth and creamy. Note: If you have any leftover crushed strawberries, you could always add it to your frosting.
Slather frosting onto cooled cake.
Then slice and serve. If there are any leftovers, you’ll want to cover it and put into the fridge.
CRAVING MORE STRAWBERRY RECIPES?
- STRAWBERRY MESS
- STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE CAKE
- STRAWBERRY KOOL-AID PIE
- HOT MILK SPONGE CAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES
- STRAWBERRY MUFFIN MIX WAFFLES
Easy Strawberry Cake (+Video)
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 15.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix (or white, yellow cake mix)
- 3 ounce box strawberry gelatin mix (Jell-O)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, (or 1 cup crushed fresh strawberries)
For the frosting:
- ½ block cream cheese (4 ounces), softened
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon milk
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Give the strawberries a good rinse then gently dry them with a paper towel. Remove the stems and dice.
- Put strawberries into a plastic Ziploc bag and start crushing them up using a rolling pin or other heavy object. This will probably take you a minute or two.
- In the bowl, combine cake mix with strawberry gelatin powder. Mix until combined.
- Then stir in oil, eggs and water.
- Once that is combined, add in 1 cup of the smushed strawberries. You will want to gently stir those in by hand.
- Then pour batter into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 30-33 minutes. Oven times do vary so to make sure it is done, stick a toothpick in the center, if it comes out clean, it is good to go.
- Allow cake to cool completely before adding frosting.
For the frosting:
- Using an electric mixer, mix together the softened butter and softened cream cheese. Mix until smooth, creamy and lump-free.
- Then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Slather frosting onto cooled cake. Put the cake back into the refrigerator for about an hour to help the frosting set up.
- Then slice and serve! I like to top each piece of the strawberry cake with a slice of fresh strawberry .
Video
Notes
- If there are any leftovers, you’ll want to cover it and put into the fridge.
- It’s really important the cream cheese is fully softened. If not, it will stay lumpy as you try to mix it.
- If you are not a fan of cream cheese frosting, just leave it out and it will be a buttercream frosting. Adjust milk as necessary in the frosting to get the consistency you enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: February 2013
Updated & republished: May 2020
Big hit. So easy and delicious! My icing was too thick, so I added a bit of the strawberry puree which was fabulous, but after sitting it did get just a tad runny, but still tasted great.
In oven now but made with strawberry cake mix and blended frozen strawberries and followed the rest exactly. . Time will only tell now…… Will update here shortly.
I made this with a strawberry cake mix and left out the jello. Came out delicious. Also, you have to double the frosting recipe or there is not enough.
I have made about 6 of the cakes since I found this recipe and it is so good. My friends say that it is the best cake they have ever ate. My son loves it too. I put a cup and a half of strawberries in the cake. I use a block of cream cheese in the icing and no milk. I slice fresh strawberries for the top of cake too.
So, so good!
This cake was good, but it was really rich. The icing was delicious and sweet probably making it rich. I had to bake mine a little longer, the middle of the cake was slow getting done.
does this recipe require any changes to make as a layer cake
It is too simple!!! Today on my mother’s birthday, we made this cake. It was very delicious!!!! Everyone loved it!
I have made this cake about 14 times. I have also varied the recipe to make an “Orange Dream” cake. Replace the strawberry gelatin with orange flavored jello and replace the strawberries with mashed peaches (still fresh or frozen, no sugar added).. Delicious!
You can replace any flavor of gelatin and any fruit that has about the same moisture/texture.
Love it Kate!! And thanks so much for letting us know how it turned out with other combinations!!
Can you tell me how long to bake it if I’m using a bundt pan? This cake is my favorite!!
I have this cake in my oven now. Smells so good. I used frozen berries and partially thawed them in microwave, then put them in a bowl and smashed them with a potato smasher… Can’t wait to
try this!
Can this recipe be made in two round cake pans instead? I’m wanting to do a layered cake for my friend’s birthday.
Curious if you used 2 rounds. I want to try for daughters bday.
Loved this cake and will make it again. I added strawberries to the icing and added a little to much so it was a little runny but AMAZING!!! Thank you!
This is one of my favorites. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Instead of jello can I use strawberry extract?
I have never made it that way so I can't say for sure. If you try it this way, come back and let us know how it turned out for you.
Think I'll and use cheesecake pudding mix instead of the jello mix
Can you make and freeze for later?
This one disappears so fast I never have to worry with freezing but I think you could. Make sure you wrap it very tightly.
I am using the Betty Crocker rainbow chip super moist cake delight mix… I was wondering to I still use the 4 eggs you have for your recipe or do I go by what this box says? Thank you 🙂
Follow this recipe and use the 4 eggs.
I usually use applesauce in recipes that call for veg. oil. Can i Use applesauce with this recipe or will the applesauce and the strawberries together in the mix make it too runny?
Thanks!
I have not used applesauce in this recipe so I can't say for sure. I have used applesauce in other recipes with great success. If you try it this way, make sure you come back and let me know how it turned out for you.
How about for cupcakes?
This would be great for cupcakes too!
Could I use a bundt cake for this recipe bad just drizzle the frosting over it? I'm going to make this as a birthday cake….it looks so yummy.
Just made these as cupcakes with my godsister today. Substituted the oil for butter and the water for milk. Turned out great and the fresh strawberries were perfect! Posted pictures on facebook and one of my neighbors came and picked up few since we had so many.
Thanks i will give this a try. It is very similar to a recipe i just used.
Just curious if you can substitute the water for buttermilk?
made this today, it was sooo good!! thanks for sharing, I love your recipes:)
hi love the sound of this cake but in the uk we dont have yellow cake mix, do you know what the uk equivalent would be and is jello – jelly ? sorry to sound like such a thicko
If I use a white cake mix do I use all the eggs or just the whites.