Bake This Award Winning Strawberry Cake!

Strawberry Cake

yield: 12 SERVINGS

prep time: 30 MINUTES

cook time: 25 MINUTES

total time: 55 MINUTES

Ingredients

Strawberry Cake:

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mashed strawberries
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1

For the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper on the bottom.

2

Mix the storebought cake mix and Jell-O in a large mixing bowl. You could also use a stand mixer if preferred.

3

Add the eggs, oil, and water, and mix using a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth, about one minute. Fold in the fresh strawberries using a spoon.

4

Transfer the cake batter to both of the cake pans and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into middle of cakes comes out clean. Let cool.

5

For the frosting:

Add all frosting ingredients to a mixing bowl. Beat using a hand mixer, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. If frosting isn't thick enough to liking, add 1/2 to 1 cup of additional powdered sugar as desired.

6

Frost the first layer of cake, and then stack the 2nd layer on top, frosting cake completely. Decorate the top with fresh strawberries if desired. Enjoy!

Brought to you by Hip2Save.

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Desserts
47 Comments
Love Love Love I'd Have Seconds! Meh... Not Feeling It Needs A Do-Over
4.8 / 9 ratings
Print

slice of strawberry cake

Strawberry fans, listen up! Here’s a family favorite strawberry cake recipe for ya! 🍓

Consider making a yummy strawberry cake with a secret ingredient: Jell-O Gelatin! It’s a brilliant way to enhance an ordinary cake mix from the pantry, and give it a more delicious flavor and texture. I’m also sharing a delicious cream cheese strawberry frosting to spread on top of it, too!

This is an awesome cake idea that we are calling “award-winning” because my daughter actually entered it into a baking contest at school this year — and won with the most votes! 🙌

two people holding a starwberry cake

I love that it’s easy enough for kids to bake on their own and uses simple pantry ingredients. This has become a go-to cake for special occasions and family birthdays!

ingredients for strawberry jell-o cake

adding jello packet into storebought cake mix

adding strawberries to cake batter

pouring strawberry cake batter into cake pan

putting cake pans in the oven

mixing stawberry cream cheese frosting

frosting a strawberry cake

holding plate with strawberry cake slice on it

taking a bite with fork of strawberry cake


Print

Strawberry Cake

yield: 12 SERVINGS

prep time: 30 MINUTES

cook time: 25 MINUTES

total time: 55 MINUTES

This old-fashioned strawberry cake is easy to make and turns out moist and delicious. The cream cheese frosting makes it an over-the-top strawberry dessert!

Ingredients

Strawberry Cake:

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mashed strawberries
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1

For the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper on the bottom.

2

Mix the storebought cake mix and Jell-O in a large mixing bowl. You could also use a stand mixer if preferred.

3

Add the eggs, oil, and water, and mix using a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth, about one minute. Fold in the fresh strawberries using a spoon.

4

Transfer the cake batter to both of the cake pans and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into middle of cakes comes out clean. Let cool.

5

For the frosting:

Add all frosting ingredients to a mixing bowl. Beat using a hand mixer, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. If frosting isn't thick enough to liking, add 1/2 to 1 cup of additional powdered sugar as desired.

6

Frost the first layer of cake, and then stack the 2nd layer on top, frosting cake completely. Decorate the top with fresh strawberries if desired. Enjoy!

Additional Notes

Recipe adapted from TasteOfHome.com

Brought to you by Hip2Save.

frosted cake with fresh strawberries

Be sure to keep these recipe tips in mind when making this strawberry cake:

Prep two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper on the bottom. To easily get the right size for the parchment paper, put one of the cake pans on a piece of parchment paper, and then use a pen to trace around the pan. Once cut, you’ll get the correct shape to place on the bottom of both pans to avoid sticking.

Don’t have a strawberry cake mix on hand? We’ve used yellow and white cake mix with this idea too, and all have been great!  Also, try serving this with chocolate ice cream- such an awesome combination!

For the mashed berries in the frosting, I used a potato masher to mash them and then measured 1/2 cup.

You can never go wrong with strawberry cake!

I love this old-fashioned tasting cake, and really think you will, too! It stays super moist with the fresh strawberries, and the cream cheese frosting makes it over the top delicious!

plate with strawberry cake

Everyone will be voting for more of this cake, for sure! Enjoy!


Make an easy and fresh strawberry pie next!


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 47

  1. Samantha G.

    Sounds ahhhhmazing! I think I’ll make it this weekend for my mothers birthday! It reminds me of the birthday cakes my mom used to make me growing up! Thank you!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Thanks Samantha! Happy birthday to your mom 👍

      • sammygal

        Thanks, Lina! 🎂🎉❤️

  2. Lisa

    Looks delicious! Do you have the recipe on Pintrest to save for another day?

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      So if you are on the H2S app you may not see our pin it button. If you press the triangle dots in the upper right corner – then you can share to Pinterest.

  3. Allison

    Lina. Thanks for the recipe! Could you use vegetable oil in place of coconut oil? Also could I cook this in a 13″ x 9″ pan? If so what temp and time?

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yes and yes of course that would work too. I have not tried but I found a resource online that says about 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees until an inserted toothpick comes back clean. Thanks 😊

      • Allison

        Thanks so much! I am going to make this tonight!!

  4. thrift

    Pinned another Lina post:):):) Thanks!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh yay thanks!

  5. J

    Thank you!

  6. Queenie

    Yum!

  7. Hayley

    Looks delicious! Has anyone tried making these into cupcakes? Thank you!

    • brianroberts

      Just use the time and temp on the back of the box for cupcakes. Should work out just fine! 👍🏻

      • Hayley

        Thank you! 😊

  8. Michele

    If you look below the picture above, you can Pin the recipe there.

  9. LuvtheBeach

    Thank you!!! My kids always request strawberry cake and the plain box mixes just don’t cut it for me. Excited to give this recipe a try!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yes! I think you’ll love this then 🥰

  10. Denise

    Thank you soo much Lina! My husband loves strawberries will make this for him for Father’s Day

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh yay! This will be so great 😃 thanks Denise!

  11. 1withthelord

    Looks so good. Would you possibly have a homemade version of the cake versus boxed? I prefer only homemade. TIA

  12. Tami

    Any sub ideas for the coconut oil? Daughter is allergic.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      You can use vegetable oil instead 👍

      • Tami

        Thank you!

  13. Thia

    OMG!!! Yummy! Thank you so much for posting! Love when you post recipes!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh yay thanks so much Thia – this is a yummy one!

  14. Juju

    I made this cake about a week ago. Nobody liked it and I wound up throwing in the trash! It was dry as dust!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh we just posted this yesterday. Lol – With the fresh strawberries it’s actually very moist unsure what happened.

    • Jen S.

      The original/adapted from recipe added 3 tbsp sugar & 3 tbsp flour. I wondered if anyone has made the original vs. this adapted version and how they compare?

      • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

        Yes I have made the original too over the years and personally didn’t tell much difference leaving out the extra sugar and flour. But you could always put them in. 👍
        Adding cream cheese to the frosting was the best change though! Yum.

  15. onieka

    Any suggestions a coconut oil substitute? I’d like to omit it.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh -You can use vegetable oil instead 👍

      • onieka

        Thank you!

  16. Carie

    I feel like you could add pretzels and make it a strawberry pretzel salad cake! Yum.

  17. Susan Palmer

    I don’t like the jello cakes, ( they were all the rage in the 80’s) they are too moist for my taste 🙂

  18. Beka

    How can I make the frosting more frosting like? i made it but its more like a glaze?

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Add more powdered sugar to stiffen it.

    • Brooke

      Does this need to be refrigerated after icing it?

      • Rosie

        With cream cheese in the frosting I’d say yes!

    • Brooke

      Another suggestion, if you don’t want to add more sugar, is too use freeze dried strawberries for the frosting. I pulverize them in my little Ninja blender, and it’s perfect for making delicious strawberry frosting!

      • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

        That’s a great tip!

  19. Denise

    Thank you Lina I made it for my husband for Father’s Day and it was excellent! I will be keeping this recipe

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh I’m so glad – thanks for sharing 💕

  20. Mamamia

    Anyone seen the tik tok strawberry and salt water video?? 😣

  21. Nancy

    Hi Lina, did you add anything in the middle between both layers? Like a filling? Can’t wait to try this!

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hey there! ❤️ For this you’ll frost the first layer of cake and then add the 2nd layer on top! YUM! 😋 Hope you love it if you decide to try it, Nancy! 🤗

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?