There's something inherently delightful about a cake that's both stunning to look at and incredibly moist and flavorful to eat. Our Strawberry Jell-O Cake recipe brings exactly that to your table! This isn't just any ordinary strawberry cake; it's a vibrant, tender creation infused with the magic of strawberry gelatin, giving it an unparalleled moistness and a beautiful pink hue.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a summer gathering, or simply craving a taste of something sweet and fruity, this Strawberry Jell-O Cake is sure to be a showstopper. It’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Jell-O Cake

• Unbelievably Moist: The secret ingredient, strawberry gelatin, locks in moisture, ensuring every bite is tender and delicious.
• Bursting with Strawberry Flavor: Between the gelatin and fresh strawberries, this cake delivers an authentic, sweet strawberry experience.
• Visually Stunning: Its lovely pink color makes it perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any event where you want to impress.
• Easily Adaptable: Simple to customize with different frostings or fruit additions.

Ingredients You'll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful dessert. For the cake base, you'll need standard baking staples like all-purpose flour, sugar, unsalted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, and buttermilk. The star ingredients that give this cake its signature flavor and moisture are a 3-ounce box of strawberry gelatin (like Jell-O) and finely chopped fresh strawberries.

For the luscious cream cheese frosting, you'll need softened cream cheese and butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of milk or cream to achieve the perfect consistency.

How to Make Strawberry Jell-O Cake (Step-by-Step)

Making this cake is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. You'll start by preparing your dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately before combining them to form a smooth batter. The key is to incorporate the strawberry gelatin directly into the batter, ensuring that vibrant flavor is distributed throughout.

Once baked to golden perfection, the cake layers are cooled and then generously frosted with a homemade cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the strawberry notes. Don't forget a garnish of fresh strawberries for that extra pop of color and freshness!

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them combine more smoothly, resulting in a lighter, more uniform cake batter.
• Don't Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough cake.
• Prepare Pans Properly: Grease and flour your cake pans, or line them with parchment paper, to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
• Cool Completely: Allow the cake layers to cool entirely on a wire rack before frosting. Frosting a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt and slide off.

Variations and Customizations

• Frosting Alternatives: While cream cheese frosting is divine, you could also use a classic vanilla buttercream, a light whipped cream frosting, or even a simple glaze.
• Add More Fruit: Fold extra fresh strawberry pieces into the batter or between the cake layers for an even more intense fruit experience.
• Different Gelatin Flavors: Feel free to experiment with other Jell-O flavors like raspberry, cherry, or even lemon for a different fruity twist.
• Bundt Cake: This recipe can easily be adapted for a Bundt pan. Adjust baking time as needed (usually a bit longer) and ensure the pan is thoroughly greased and floured.

Strawberry gelatin has a fascinating history, originating in the late 19th century and becoming a household staple due to its versatility and ease of use. It's truly a classic ingredient that continues to bring joy to desserts like this cake. For more on the history of Jell-O, you can explore its Wikipedia page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about making the perfect Strawberry Jell-O Cake? We've got answers!

This Strawberry Jell-O Cake is more than just a dessert; it's a celebration of fresh flavors and simple baking joy. We hope you and your loved ones enjoy every single slice. Happy baking!

FAQs

Strawberry Jell-O Cake

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (plus cooling time)
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This irresistible Strawberry Jell-O Cake is incredibly moist, bursting with vibrant strawberry flavor, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.

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Ingredients

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For the Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 (3 oz) box strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries (or strawberry puree)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
4-5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Pinch of salt
For Garnish (Optional):
Fresh strawberries, sliced

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line the bottoms with parchment paper and grease the sides.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and the dry strawberry gelatin powder until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and vegetable oil until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Gently fold in the finely chopped fresh strawberries (or strawberry puree) into the cake batter.
Step 6: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
Step 7: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Step 8: Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure they are fully cooled before frosting.
Step 9: While the cakes cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy.
Step 10: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and pinch of salt.
Step 11: Add milk or heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired spreadable consistency. Beat until light and fluffy.
Step 12: Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Frost the top evenly. Place the second cake layer on top and then frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, if desired.
Step 13: Serve immediately or store covered. Enjoy your delicious Strawberry Jell-O Cake!

Notes

For best results, ensure all cold ingredients like butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and a more even crumb. Do not overbake the cake; it should be just cooked through to maintain its moisture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 45g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 75mg

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