Description

Are you ready to elevate your dessert game and bring a smile to everyone’s face? This delightful Strawberry Lemonade Cake is just what you need! Bursting with the bright flavors of summer, it’s the perfect treat to celebrate sunny days, family gatherings, and those unexpected moments when you just need a slice of something heavenly.

Ingredients

Scale

Let’s gather the goodies! Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Cake:

1 box of yellow cake mix
3 large eggs
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of lemonade (you can use store-bought or homemade)
Zest of one lemon (for that extra zing)

For the Strawberry Lemonade Frosting:

1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
4 cups of powdered sugar
1/4 cup of lemonade
1 cup of pureed fresh strawberries (feel free to sneak an extra berry or two in for garnish!)
A pinch of salt

Instructions

Steps to Make Strawberry Lemonade Cake

Alright, it’s showtime! Grab your apron, and let’s get baking!

1. Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because baking a cake in a cold oven is about as effective as trying to jumpstart a car with a spoon. Trust me; the cake will appreciate the warmth.

2. Mix the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, lemonade, and lemon zest.
Mix everything together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes. The batter should be smooth, so if you see any lumps, fear not! Just keep mixing gently until they disappear.

3. Bake it Up

Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan or divide it into two 9-inch round cake pans for a tiered effect.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center. While that’s happening, your kitchen will start smelling like a dream!

4. Cool and Prepare the Frosting

Once baked, remove the cake(s) from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, let’s whip up that frosting!

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy and fluffy. (And let’s be honest: we all love buttery goodness!)
Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating until well combined; it’s going to look like pure magic.
Then, mix in the lemonade, strawberry puree, and a pinch of salt until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more lemonade.
5. Frost the Cake
Spread the frosting generously over the top of the cooled cake. If you made two layers, don’t forget to frost between the layers as well! Garnish with additional fresh strawberries for that Insta-worthy touch.

Notes

Freshness Matters: For the best flavor, use fresh strawberries when making the frosting. You won’t regret it!
Let Your Cake Rest: Allow your frosted cake to sit for about 30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to mingle—what you might call a cake party!

Spread the frosting generously over the top of the cooled cake. If you made two layers, don’t forget to frost between the layers as well! Garnish with additional fresh strawberries for that Insta-worthy touch.