Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Start by washing and hulling fresh strawberries, then chop them into small pieces to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to ensure even rising and texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which helps create the cake’s tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: Beat in eggs one at a time, then combine lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to infuse fresh flavor into the batter.
- Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the dry ingredients and milk (or buttermilk) in alternating batches, mixing gently to keep the batter light.
- Fold in Strawberries: Carefully fold the chopped strawberries into the batter to avoid breaking them up too much, maintaining their texture and flavor pockets.
- Bake: Pour the batter into a greased or lined cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost: Allow the cake to cool completely before spreading your choice of frosting, such as lemon cream cheese or whipped vanilla.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing and even rising.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
- Use ripe strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Line your cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of cake)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: strawberry lemon cake, summer dessert, fresh strawberries, lemon cake, light cake, refreshing dessert, berry cake, lemon zest cake