Zesty Strawberry Limeade Cake Recipe: A Fresh Summer Delight

Sweet summer memories burst to life with this delightful strawberry limeade cake that captures vibrant citrus essence.

Juicy berries dance through layers of moist, zesty goodness.

Bright lime zest whispers refreshing notes across each delectable slice.

Creamy frosting promises a cool, tangy embrace that melts on your tongue.

Colorful crumbs tell stories of backyard gatherings and sunshine-filled afternoons.

Clusters of fresh strawberries crown this irresistible dessert like edible jewels.

Bake this cake and watch smiles bloom around your table.

What Makes Strawberry Limeade Cake So Refreshing

• Burst with Seasonal Charm: Capture the essence of summer with vibrant strawberry and zesty lime flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Master Baking Skills: Perfect for home bakers looking to elevate their cake-making techniques with a delightful and impressive dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Ideal for summer gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations where you want to wow friends and family with a unique, refreshing treat.
• Customizable Creativity: Easily adapt the decoration and garnish to match different themes or personal preferences, making it a versatile recipe for any occasion.

Strawberry Limeade Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Butter: Contributes richness and helps create a smooth, moist cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft cake crumb.

• Lime Zest, Lime Juice: Brings a bright, tangy citrus flavor to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Strawberry Puree: Provides natural sweetness and fruity flavor to the cake.

• Baking Powder, Salt: Helps the cake rise and balances the flavors.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.

• Fresh Strawberries, Lime Slices: Adds a decorative and fresh finishing touch to the cake.

Baking Instructions for Strawberry Limeade Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep Pans

Get your oven toasty at 350F (175C). Grab two 9-inch round cake pans and give them a nice coating of grease and flour so the cake won’t stick.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set this mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until they become light and fluffy like a cloud.

This is where the magic begins!

Step 4: Add Eggs and Zesty Flavors

Crack eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each.

Sprinkle in lime zest and vanilla extract for an extra punch of flavor.

Step 5: Blend Wet Ingredients

Pour in lime juice, milk, and strawberry puree.

Mix until the batter looks smooth and silky.

Step 6: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until everything is just combined – don’t overmix!

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Cool the Cakes

Let the cakes rest in their pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Whip Up Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until fluffy.

• Strawberry puree
• Vanilla extract
• Lime zest

Step 10: Assemble the Cake

Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top.

Carefully place the second layer and frost the entire cake evenly.

Step 11: Final Touches

Decorate with fresh strawberries and lime slices if you want to make it extra pretty.

Slice and serve this delightful Strawberry Limeade Cake that bursts with sweet and tangy flavors!

Helpful Tips for Strawberry Limeade Cake Results

• Add extra lime zest to the batter for a more pronounced citrus punch that complements the strawberry notes perfectly.
• Pat strawberry puree dry with paper towels before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture that could make the cake dense.
• Chill the cake layers before frosting to create cleaner, more precise edges and prevent crumbs from mixing into the frosting.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring you use one with xanthan gum for better texture and structure.
• Macerate fresh strawberries in a little sugar before using as a garnish to enhance their natural sweetness and create a juicier topping.

Adjusting the Strawberry Limeade Cake Your Way

• Tropical Paradise Cake: Swap strawberry puree with mango puree and add shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical island flavor profile.
• Citrus Burst Cake: Replace lime with orange zest and juice, incorporate orange extract, and use orange-infused cream cheese frosting.
• Berry Blast Cake: Mix multiple berries like raspberries and blueberries into the puree for a vibrant, multi-berry cake experience.
• Lavender Lime Cake: Infuse the batter with dried lavender flowers and add a subtle lavender extract to create a sophisticated, aromatic dessert.

Great Foods to Serve with Limeade Cake

• Pair with Sparkling Summer Mocktail: Create a refreshing non-alcoholic drink mixing strawberry puree, lime juice, sparkling water, and fresh mint leaves to complement the cake's bright citrus and fruity profile.
• Match with Citrus-Infused Sorbet: Serve a light, zesty lemon or lime sorbet alongside the cake to enhance the tangy undertones and provide a cool, palate-cleansing contrast.
• Elevate with Tropical White Wine: Select a crisp, semi-sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that balances the cake's sweet-tart flavors and highlights its strawberry and lime essence.
• Complement with Whipped Cream Dollop: Add a light, airy vanilla-infused whipped cream on the side to soften the cake's intense flavor and provide a creamy textural counterpoint.

Best Methods to Store Strawberry Limeade Cake

Store cake covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

Wrap completely frosted cake in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.

Wrap unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost when ready to serve.

Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. For a warm slice, microwave individual pieces for 10-15 seconds on low power to maintain moisture and prevent toughening.

FAQs

• What makes the strawberry and lime combination unique in this cake?

The blend of sweet strawberries and zesty lime creates a refreshing, bright flavor profile that balances tartness and sweetness perfectly, offering a unique twist on traditional cake recipes.

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them completely and drain excess liquid before pureeing to ensure the right consistency for the cake batter and frosting.

• How do I know if my cake batter is properly mixed?

The batter should be smooth and free of lumps, with a consistent color and texture. Mix until ingredients are just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.

Strawberry Limeade Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberry limeade cake brings zesty summer vibes straight from Southern kitchens, blending tangy lime with luscious strawberry flavors. Creamy frosting and fresh ingredients create a delightful dessert you’ll crave at every backyard gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) strawberry puree

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups (440 g) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) strawberry puree
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lime zest (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cake foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside this dry mixture.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a separate large bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition. Mix in lime zest and vanilla extract to enhance flavor complexity.
4. Gently fold lime juice, milk, and strawberry puree into the creamy base, creating a smooth, vibrant batter.
5. Gradually integrate dry ingredients, stirring until just combined to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
6. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour coating.
7. Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans, ensuring uniform depth for consistent baking.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
10. Craft frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until silky and uniform in texture.
11. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
12. Enhance frosting with strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and optional lime zest for additional depth.
13. Position first cake layer on serving plate and generously spread frosting across the surface.
14. Carefully place second cake layer on top, then evenly frost entire cake exterior.
15. Optionally decorate with fresh strawberry slices and lime garnishes to elevate presentation.

Notes

• Swap whole milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version that maintains the cake’s moisture and texture.
• Reduce sugar content by using fresh strawberry puree instead of additional sweeteners, balancing natural fruit sugars.
• Fold in finely chopped fresh strawberries into the batter for extra bursts of fruity flavor and added texture.
• Chill cream cheese frosting for 15 minutes before spreading to achieve smoother, more stable cake decoration.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 456 kcal
• Sugar: 48 g
• Sodium: 145 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg