Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where summer classic becomes stunning celebration cake. Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake features tender vanilla cake layers filled with fresh macerated strawberries and fluffy whipped cream frosting for juicy, creamy perfection. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion.

Light, elegant, and ready in about 2 hours including cooling.

Why This Recipe Works

Vanilla cake stays moist with oil and buttermilk balance.
Macerated strawberries release juices for perfect filling.
Stabilized whipped cream holds shape without weeping.
Simple assembly creates showstopper presentation.
Shortbread crumbs add signature texture contrast.

Ingredients & Prep

Vanilla Cake Layers:

2½ cups cake flour
1½ cups granulated sugar
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup vegetable oil
4 egg whites
1½ cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling:

3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons strawberry jam

Whipped Cream Frosting:

2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon gelatin (optional for stability)

Shortbread Crumbs:

½ cup shortbread cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment.
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat in butter and oil until sandy.
Add egg whites, buttermilk, and vanilla; beat 2 minutes until fluffy. Divide into pans.
Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick clean. Cool completely.
Macerate sliced strawberries with sugar and jam 20 minutes.
Whip cold cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and dissolved gelatin to stiff peaks.
Level cakes. Pipe whipped cream dam on first layer; add strawberry filling. Repeat layers.
Frost outside; sprinkle shortbread crumbs on sides or top. Chill before slicing.

Flavor Variations

Variation	Key Ingredient	Dietary Tag	Flavor Profile
Lemon Shortcake	Lemon zest in cake	Bright	Citrusy, refreshing
Chocolate Covered	Chocolate ganache drip	Decadent	Rich contrast
Almond Whipped	Almond extract	Nutty	Warm, toasty
Gluten-Free	Gluten-free flour blend	Adaptable	Same tender crumb

Storage Tips

Refrigerate covered up to 3 days. Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months. Best served day-of for fresh strawberries.

FAQs

Cake sinking? Don’t overmix batter and ensure proper oven temp.
Whipped cream weeping? Use cold bowl/cream and gelatin stabilizer.
Strawberries watery? Macerate no more than 30 minutes.

Conclusion

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake transforms beloved dessert into elegant centerpiece with perfect cake-strawberry-cream balance. Fresh, festive, and unforgettable. Find more layer cake magic at dishfoody.com.

Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

A classic strawberry shortcake turned into a beautiful, fluffy layer cake with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream. Light, sweet, and perfect for celebrations.

Author: ssam
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Filling & Frosting:
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, mixing until smooth.
6. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 22–26 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool cakes completely.
8. Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks.
9. Place one cake layer on a plate, spread with whipped cream, and top with strawberries.
10. Add second layer, then frost with remaining whipped cream and top with more strawberries.

Notes

Chill the mixing bowl before whipping cream for best results.
Add a thin layer of strawberry jam between layers for extra sweetness.
Best served same day, but leftovers keep refrigerated for 2–3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 420
Sugar: 32g
Sodium: 230mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake, strawberry cake, whipped cream cake