Sweet French Strawberry Cake Recipe: A Dreamy Dessert Delight
Sweet summer nights call for a delightful French strawberry cake that whispers pure romance and indulgence.
Layers of delicate sponge mingle with luscious cream and vibrant berries, creating a dessert that sings of French pastry elegance.
Ripe strawberries burst with natural sweetness, perfectly complementing the light, airy texture of this classic treat.
Each slice promises a celebration of simple ingredients transformed into an extraordinary masterpiece.
The delicate balance of flavors dances on your palate, inviting you to savor every single bite.
Elegant yet approachable, this cake turns an ordinary moment into a spectacular culinary experience.
You’ll fall in love with this irresistible French dessert that brings a touch of Paris right to your plate.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Calories: 265 kcal
Servings: 9
Ingredients in French Strawberry Cake
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cake, providing structure and soft texture with its fine, powdery consistency.
Baking Powder: Creates the magical lift and airiness, ensuring a light and fluffy cake crumb.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
For Wet Ingredients:
Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and creates a tender, moist cake with its smooth texture.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior during baking.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together, add structure, and contribute to the cake's richness and color.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the strawberries beautifully.
Sour Cream: Introduces moisture and a slight tanginess, making the cake incredibly soft and tender.
For Fruit and Topping:
Fresh Strawberries: Burst with juicy sweetness and add vibrant color, creating delightful fruity pockets throughout the cake.
Granulated Sugar (for sprinkling): Creates a crispy, sparkling top that adds a delicate crunch and extra sweetness.
Tools for Baking a Beautiful French Strawberry Cake
9-inch round cake pan: Essential for baking the cake with the right shape and size.
Parchment paper: Prevents the cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
Mixing bowls (medium and large): Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
Whisk: Helps blend flour mixture and create smooth, lump-free batters.
Electric mixer or hand mixer: Crucial for whipping butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
Spatula: Gentle tool for folding strawberries into batter and scraping sides of the bowl.
Cake tester or toothpick: Helps check if the cake is fully baked by testing the center.
Wire rack: Allows the cake to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
How to Prepare French Strawberry Cake with Ease
Oven Preparation Warm up your oven and get your baking pan ready for a delightful adventure.
Flour Mixture Blend your dry ingredients with a gentle whisper of love, creating a soft canvas for your cake.
Butter Magic Whip the butter and sugar into a cloud-like dream, watching them transform into a creamy paradise.
Egg Dance Gently introduce eggs one by one, letting each one waltz into the mixture with grace.
Vanilla Whispers Add a splash of vanilla that sings with sweet memories.
Flour and Cream Symphony Alternately fold in flour and sour cream, creating a dance of textures and flavors.
Strawberry Love Softly tumble fresh strawberries into the batter, letting them peek through like little jewels.
Sugary Sparkle Sprinkle a touch of sugar on top, creating a golden promise of deliciousness.
Baking Transformation Place the cake in the oven and let magic happen, waiting until a gentle test reveals its perfect readiness.
Cooling Embrace Let the cake rest and cool, allowing its flavors to settle into a harmonious celebration.
Flavor Ideas for French Strawberry Cake Lovers
Macerate chopped strawberries with a tablespoon of sugar for 15 minutes before adding to the batter to intensify their sweetness and release more juices.
Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier taste or buttermilk for a lighter, more tender crumb that keeps the cake incredibly moist.
Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze unfrosted cake layers for future quick desserts by thawing at room temperature.
Dust the cake with powdered sugar, top with fresh strawberry slices, or create a simple whipped cream frosting using heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract for an elegant presentation.
Replace fresh strawberries with frozen berries during off-season months, but drain excess liquid and toss berries in a light coating of flour to prevent sinking in the batter.
Serving French Strawberry Cake for Any Occasion
Elegant Tea Party Pairing: Slice this delicate French strawberry cake alongside a traditional Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated afternoon treat that highlights the cake's fruity essence.
Summer Picnic Delight: Pack individual slices in cute containers for outdoor gatherings, complementing the cake with fresh whole strawberries and a light whipped cream garnish.
Brunch Centerpiece Showcase: Present the cake as a stunning dessert centerpiece during weekend brunch, accompanied by a dollop of vanilla mascarpone cream and extra fresh strawberry halves for a vibrant presentation.
Dessert Wine Companion: Pair thin slices with a chilled sweet rosé or sparkling moscato, enhancing the cake's delicate strawberry notes and creating an indulgent European-style dessert experience.
Storage Advice for French Strawberry Cake
Cake Care Corner: Smart Storage Solutions
Fridge Freshness Strategy: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent drying. Keeps perfectly fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated.
Room Temperature Charm: Leave the cake uncovered at kitchen temperature for 1-2 days if planning to enjoy soon. Ideal for maintaining soft texture and delightful strawberry flavor.
Freezing Finesse: Slice cake into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Stays delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
Reviving Refrigerated Slices: Before serving chilled cake, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. This gentle warming helps restore the cake's original softness and releases those wonderful strawberry aromas.
Delightful french strawberry cake showcases elegant French pastry techniques with fresh, ripe strawberries. Silky layers of delicate sponge and luscious cream create a memorable dessert that connects culinary traditions with seasonal sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups strawberries (rough chopped)
1 ⅓ cups flour (167 grams)
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter (113 grams, softened)
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (120 ml, low fat)
2 large eggs
1 ¼ tsps baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
Sugar (for finishing)
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 350°F and line a round cake pan with parchment paper for effortless cake removal.
Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
Creaming Process: Whip butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light, fluffy, and pale, achieving a silky smooth consistency.
Egg and Flavor Integration: Blend eggs one at a time, ensuring complete incorporation, then introduce vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
Batter Assembly: Alternately fold flour mixture and sour cream into the wet ingredients, maintaining a delicate, well-balanced batter texture.
Strawberry Incorporation: Gently fold chopped strawberries throughout the batter, distributing them evenly to ensure consistent fruity bursts.
Pan Preparation: Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface and sprinkling a light layer of granulated sugar on top for a caramelized finish.
Baking Process: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and testing with a clean toothpick for doneness.
Cooling Technique: Remove from oven, let rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing flavors to settle and intensify.
Notes
Strawberry Selection: Choose ripe, fragrant strawberries at peak season for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
Folding Technique: Use a gentle, figure-eight motion when incorporating strawberries to prevent crushing and maintain batter integrity.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature for smoother blending and more consistent texture.
Sugar Caramelization Tip: Sprinkle fine sugar on top just before baking to create a delicate, golden-brown crispy surface that adds subtle crunch and visual appeal.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.