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An easy strawberry cake is the perfect dessert when you want something impressive in just 30 minutes! This no bake cake combines fresh strawberries, creamy vanilla frosting, and ready-made wafer layers to create a bakery-quality treat without any baking required. Perfect for celebrations, birthdays, or whenever you’re craving something fresh and delicious!
If you love this easy strawberry cake, you’ll also enjoy exploring other no bake cake recipes that are just as simple and delicious. Check out my No Bake Pistachio Cake for a nutty twist, or try the No Bake Lemon Cake for a refreshing citrus flavor.
For more inspiration on quick cake ideas and no bake desserts, visit Taste of Home’s No Bake Dessert Collection for additional recipe ideas.
Ready to make this strawberry masterpiece? Let’s dive into the ingredients and step-by-step instructions below! You can watch the full Easy Strawberry Cake video tutorial at the end of this post for all the details and decorating steps.
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QUICK RECIPE INFO:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 16 pieces
- Cake Size: 10 inches (Ø 26 cm)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage: Up to 3 days in refrigerator
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE
Gather all your ingredients before you start! This easy strawberry cake requires just a few simple items: ready-made vanilla wafer layers, fresh strawberries, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
All ingredients are easy to find and most are likely already in your kitchen. For the cream, you have two options: prepare homemade vanilla frosting with heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract, or simply use whipped cream (vrhnje za slag) mixed with a touch of vanilla. Having everything ready will make the assembly process quick and effortless!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
No baking required – just simple assembly that takes minutes! Fresh strawberries combined with creamy vanilla frosting create a naturally delicious and refreshing taste that everyone loves. Ready in only 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or when you need a dessert quickly. The recipe is so simple that it’s perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike, with no special baking skills required.
This cake looks impressive and restaurant-quality, with beautiful layers and fresh berries on top, even though it’s incredibly easy to make. Uses simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have at home or can easily find at any grocery store. The no-bake method means no oven heating up your kitchen on hot summer days. Great for summer celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion when you want to impress your guests.
Makes enough to serve 10-16 people, perfect for family gatherings or small parties. Can be prepared ahead of time and chilled in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve, making it convenient for entertaining. The combination of light, fresh strawberries with smooth vanilla cream is simply irresistible and always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 thin vanilla wafer layers (Ø 26 cm / 10 inches) – store-bought or homemade baked a day ahead
- 500 g fresh strawberries (1.1 lbs) for decoration
For the Vanilla Cream:
Option 1 – Homemade Vanilla Frosting:
- 180 g vanilla instant pudding powder (6.4 oz)
- 500 ml cold milk (2 cups / 16 fl oz)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (25 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar or vanilla extract (5 ml)
Option 2 – Whipped Cream (easier alternative):
- 500 ml whipped cream – vrhnje za slag (2 cups / 16 fl oz)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (25 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar or vanilla extract (5 ml)
How to Make Easy Strawberry Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries
Start by washing the strawberries very well. I used organic strawberries for this easy strawberry cake, but if you are using regular strawberries, I recommend soaking them in cold water with a little baking soda for about 10 minutes. After that, rinse them well under fresh water.
Before cutting the strawberries, set aside the ones you want to use for decoration. I saved 16 strawberries because I marked my cake into 16 slices. I left the green tops on these strawberries because they make the cake look fresher and more beautiful when decorated.
Once the strawberries are washed, place them in a strainer and let them drain completely. This helps remove extra water, so the cake stays creamy, fresh, and not too watery.
Step 2: Make the Vanilla Cream
Pour 500 ml of very cold milk into a large mixing bowl. For instant vanilla cream, I always like to use well-chilled milk because it helps the cream thicken faster and makes it much easier to spread between the cake layers.
Add the instant vanilla cream powder, powdered sugar, and vanilla sugar to the milk. Start mixing on a lower speed first so the powder does not fly out of the bowl, then increase the speed and continue mixing until the cream becomes smooth, fluffy, and creamy.
The cream should be thick enough to hold its shape, but still soft and easy to spread. Be careful not to overmix it. If the cream is whipped for too long, it can become too stiff and lose the light, creamy texture that works best for this easy strawberry cake.
Step 3: Fill the Cake
Remove the cake layers from the package and place the first layer on a serving plate or cake board. Since the strawberries are washed and the vanilla cream is ready, you can start filling the cake.
Spread about one third of the cream over the first cake layer. You can also divide the cream into three parts before you start, so you have enough cream for both filling layers and for covering the outside of the cake at the end.
Gently spread the cream over the entire cake layer. Do not press too hard, especially because this easy strawberry cake is soft, creamy, and delicate. Cut half of the strawberries into pieces and arrange them closely over the cream. I cut each strawberry into 4 pieces so the pieces are still nice and visible, but not too large.
Place the second cake layer over the strawberries, then add the second part of the cream. Spread it gently, without pressing too much, so the filling from the first layer does not squeeze out. Add the remaining chopped strawberries over the second layer of cream.
Once all the strawberries are added, place the third cake layer on top and press it down very lightly, just enough to help the cake settle. Make sure the strawberries are well drained before adding them to the cream. This keeps the easy strawberry cake creamy and stable without making the filling too watery.
Step 4: Decorate the Easy Strawberry Cake
Once the cake is filled, spread the remaining cream around the outside of the cake. Use a spatula to gently apply the cream over the top and sides, then smooth it as evenly as you can.
I like this easy strawberry cake to have a natural, homemade fruit cake look, so I did not make the outside perfectly smooth. After covering the cake with cream, I lightly tapped the spatula over the surface to create soft, uneven waves in the cream. This gives the cake a fresh and simple texture without needing any special decorating tools.
At the end, I marked the cake into 16 slices using a cake divider. Then I placed one whole strawberry on each slice, using the strawberries I saved at the beginning for decoration. The green tops make the cake look fresh, colorful, and more beautiful for serving.
Step 5: Slice and Serve
Once the easy strawberry cake is fully decorated, let it chill for a little while before slicing. This helps the cream settle nicely and makes the cake easier to cut into clean, beautiful slices.
Carefully cut each piece and place it onto a dessert plate. Every slice is filled with soft vanilla cream, fresh strawberries, and light cake layers, making the cake look just as beautiful inside as it does on the outside.
This easy strawberry cake is the perfect dessert for warm spring and summer days because it feels light, fresh, creamy, and not too heavy. The combination of juicy strawberries and fluffy vanilla cream creates a simple but incredibly delicious flavor that everyone loves.
Serve the cake well chilled and enjoy every bite of this soft, refreshing, and beautiful summer strawberry dessert.
Storing and Freezing
Store the easy strawberry cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because this cake is made with fresh strawberries and vanilla cream, it needs to stay chilled until serving.
For the best taste and texture, keep the cake in a cake container or cover it gently with plastic wrap. This helps prevent the cream from drying out and keeps the strawberries fresh.
If you want to freeze it, I recommend freezing individual slices instead of the whole cake. Place each slice in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw the slices slowly in the refrigerator before serving.
The cake will taste best when served fresh, but freezing can work if you have leftovers and want to save them for later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Strawberry Cake
Can I make this easy strawberry cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake is actually even better after a few hours in the refrigerator because the layers become softer and the flavors blend together beautifully. You can make it the night before serving and keep it chilled until ready to enjoy.
How long does easy strawberry cake last in the refrigerator?
The cake stays fresh for about 3 days when covered and stored in the refrigerator. Because it contains fresh strawberries and cream, it should always be kept chilled.
Can I freeze easy strawberry cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake or individual slices. For the best texture, place the slices in an airtight container and thaw them slowly in the refrigerator before serving.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh strawberries?
Fresh strawberries work best for this easy strawberry cake because frozen strawberries release a lot of liquid after thawing, which can make the cream too soft and watery. If you use frozen strawberries, make sure they are completely thawed and well drained before adding them to the cake.
Why should strawberries be well drained before adding them to the cake?
Strawberries naturally contain a lot of water. If they are too wet, they can thin out the cream and make the cake layers soft and unstable. Letting the strawberries drain well helps keep the cake creamy and easy to slice.
Do I need to bake anything for this recipe?
No, this is a completely no-bake dessert. That is one of the reasons why this easy strawberry cake is perfect for warm spring and summer days when you want a quick, fresh, and simple dessert without turning on the oven.
Watch the Full Easy Strawberry Cake Video
Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: approximately 210 kcal
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 7 g
Sugar: 18 g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the brand of ingredients used. One serving is based on 16 slices of easy strawberry cake.
Conclusion
This easy strawberry cake is the perfect dessert when you want something quick, fresh, creamy, and beautiful without spending hours in the kitchen. With soft vanilla layers, fluffy cream, and juicy strawberries, every bite tastes light and refreshing.
One of the best things about this easy strawberry cake is how simple it is to make. There is no baking, no complicated decorating, and no special equipment needed, which makes it perfect for beginners and busy days.
Whether you make it for a family gathering, birthday, summer party, or just as a simple homemade dessert, this cake always looks impressive and tastes delicious.
If you try this recipe, I hope you enjoy every creamy and fruity bite. Enjoy your homemade easy strawberry cake!
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