Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream
This homemade strawberry funfetti cake with strawberry buttercream is a fluffy vanilla cake filled with homemade strawberry cake filling and topped with the best strawberry frosting! This funfetti strawberry cake is so fun and festive—it would make a perfect Mother’s Day dessert, birthday cake or baby shower cake!
Sprinkles make everything better (true fact) so you pretty much can’t go wrong with this super fun Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream!
Have you seen those new Amazon commercials where there’s some great dramatic 80s song playing while the people are imagining themselves with the item they’re looking at?
I’ve been straight loving those commercials.
It’s such a simple concept, yet it’s so genius. Not only is it entirely relatable (major Amazon junkie over here), stick an 80s jam on anything and you can rest assured I’ll be into it.
There’s just something about 80s music, you know? How can you hear a power ballad and not immediately join in? (Tell me that’s not just me…) I don’t really karaoke, but if I did, it would be an 80s song for sure.
Even though I’m a 90s babe (and it was THE decade), I gotta give credit to 80s. They not only gave us amazing music (that gives us amazing commercials today), they also brought us the cake of cakes: Funfetti.
I think we can collectively agree that sprinkles make everything better. Similarly to 80s music, there’s just something about sprinkles, right?? They’re fun and brightly colored and oh-so-festive for any occasion. I mean, just look at this Chocolate Chip Funfetti Cookie Cake! Fun.
Strawberry cake (a lot like this Strawberry Bundt Cake) was my jam as a kid, but funfetti was a close second (what kid didn’t love a colorful cake?!).
So today, I bring you the marriage of my two childhood favorites: Strawberry Funfetti Cake.
And it’s a marriage that is sure to last a lifetime.
All right, so let’s talk about this cake.
The recipe calls for both butter and oil, which yields a flavorful cake that is also incredibly moist and fluffy in texture. Basically, butter = flavor and oil = moisture. While I do love a good butter cake recipe (take these Funfetti Vanilla Cupcakes), I was looking for a nice light texture with this cake (all butter cakes are slightly denser in texture).
This Strawberry Funfetti Cake also calls for beaten egg whites. There are two reasons for this:
- Removing the yolks keeps the color of the cake nice and white.
- The beaten whites add volume and air to the cake, adding to the nice lighter texture.
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Buttercream:
Homemade strawberry buttercream (aka strawberry frosting) is rich, creamy and perfectly pink! I’m kind of in love with it (if there was a theme song to go with this, it would definitely be along the lines of “Taaaaake my breath awaaaayyyy…”).
The biggest thing to note when making strawberry buttercream from scratch is that you need freeze dried strawberries. They add flavor, color and do not change the texture/consistency of the buttercream.
I have found that using fresh strawberries will add too much liquid to the frosting, which will lead to the frosting breaking down/looking curdled (not appetizing).
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Cake Filling:
This strawberry filling for cupcakes and cakes is made with fresh strawberries. The sugar, strawberries flour and lemon juice will cook down and thicken up, making this a bit of a strawberry jam cake filling (it will be a bit looser than a jam, however).
This is a strawberry filling without cornstarch, as the strawberry sauce will thicken up as it cooks. The addition of flour also helps it thicken.
While you are adding sugar to this filling, it is best to use sweet, flavorful strawberries. I know this might seem like a no brainer, but the tarter the strawberry, the tarter your strawberry cake filling will be.
Tips & Tricks for this Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream:
- Make sure to use jimmies (cylinder shaped sprinkles) in this funfetti cake. They do not melt or bleed as quickly in the batter as other types of sprinkles.
- You will need to spread a thin layer of frosting on the bottom cake layer, as well as pipe a frosting border around the top edge, before adding the strawberry filling. This keeps the filling in the center of the cake rather than having it soak into the bottom layer of the cake or seep out the sides of the cake.
- Because this cake has a fresh filling, leftovers will need to be refrigerated. Personally, I don’t like cold cake so I’d definitely suggest letting leftovers come to room temperature again before eating (but that’s totally up to you—if you like cold cake, by all means, enjoy it cold!).
This cake is my everything.
Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream
Ingredients
Strawberry Funfetti Cake
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3 Tbsp canola oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour*
- 1/4 cup cornstarch*
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup milk (whole milk is best)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional, but adds a lot of flavor)
- 1 cup colored jimmies (cylindrical sprinkles)
Strawberry Filling
- 1 cup strawberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
Strawberry Buttercream
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 - 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries
- 3-4 Tbsp heavy cream
- salt, to taste
Topping:
- Strawberries
- Jimmies
Instructions
Strawberry Funfetti Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two 8” or 9” circular cake pans.
- With a standing or hand mixer, whip egg whites until they reach stiff peaks. Set aside.
- Cream butter with a standing or hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add in oil and granulated sugar and beat for another 1-2 minutes (this really creates a light texture). Set aside.
- Sift flour, cornstarch, salt and baking powder together.
- Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Add in vanilla extract, almond extract and sprinkles and stir until just combined.
- Fold egg whites into the cake batter, gently mixing until the whites are combined.
- Divide batter evenly between the two cake pans and spread in an even layer.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool.
Strawberry Filling
- Mix strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and flour in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to continue cooking until it has reduced and thickened up (about 10-12 minutes).
- Allow to cool completely.
Strawberry Buttercream
- Beat butter with a standing or hand mixer for 3-4 minutes (this makes the frosting extra fluffy).
- Gradually add in powdered sugar, a half cup at a time, beginning with 3 cups.
- Add in 3 Tbsp of heavy cream, beating until combined. If the frosting seems too thin, add in remaining powdered sugar. If the frosting seems too thick, add in remaining heavy cream.
- Add in crushed freeze dried strawberries and mix until combined.
- If desired, add in a pinch of salt, as this helps cut down the sweetness in the frosting.
Assembling the Cake
- Place one funfetti cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate.
- Spread a thin layer of strawberry frosting over the top of the cake layer.
- Place some of the frosting (about 1/3 of the frosting) in a piping bag (you can use a large tip, but you don’t need one) and pipe a thick border around the edge of the cake (this creates a dam effect and keeps the filling from seeping out of the center of the cake).
- Spoon strawberry filling in the center of the cake.
- Pipe a thin layer of frosting over the top of filling and with a knife or offset spatula, carefully spread the frosting in an even layer (this keeps the filling from seeping into the top layer of the cake).
- Place the second cake layer on top and press down gently.
- Spread remaining frosting on top and around the edge of the cake.
- Top with strawberries and sprinkles, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Leftovers should be refrigerated (because of the fresh fruit filling), but cake is best eaten at room temperature (it comes to room temperature from the fridge in about 30-60 minutes; individual slices come to room temp much more quickly).
Notes
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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Meet Michelle
I’m a self-taught baker who truly believes it’s impossible to be upset when eating dessert. It’s my life’s goal to bake everyone happy!
If I’m not baking, I’m probably reading a good book with a cup a coffee in hand.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!
Yum, love strawberries, can’t wait to try this taste tempting recipe!
Thank you so much, Becky! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Hello, when you say use freeze dried strawberries what do you mean? I’d like to make this cake for my husbands birthday because he loves strawberries.
Thank you!!
Hi Cindy! Freeze dried strawberries are sliced strawberries that have had all of their moisture removed (if you’ve ever had a strawberry cereal with pieces of strawberries, those are usually freeze dried). At my grocery stores, I find them in the dried fruit and nuts section. 🙂
Hi! Is it salted or unsalted butter?
Hi Paola! Unsalted butter 🙂
Can you make the cake with thawed out frozen strawberries?
Actually I’m wondering for the filling, not the cake itself 🙂
Hi Ashley! I think thawed frozen strawberries (as long as they’re drained) should work fine. I haven’t used them myself, but as long as they are not too juicy, I think they should work! 🙂
What baking time would you recommend for putting the cake batter in a 13×9” cake pan? I’m looking to make for a birthday party and would like to make a big rectangular cake instead or circular cake.
I would start with 25-28 minutes, and if it’s not ready then, I’d keep an eye on it because it’ll probably be just another minute or two. ☺️
Can you use the frosting to frost it as a semi naked cake
Hi ! Could you just use the frosting as a filling in itself? So essentially omit the filling all together or would the frosting be way too sweet? Also could I use the frosting as a crumb coat under fondant? Thanks!
Hi Jess, yes you can use the frosting as filling and omit the strawberry filling all together. And yes, this frosting should work as a crumb coat under fondant. 🙂
Why is there an asterisk beside the flour and corn starch in the recipe?
Hi Peg, the asterisks refer to the notes section of the recipe. 🙂 I use cornstarch and all purpose flour to create homemade cake flour, however you can substitute cake flour if you have that on hand. Thank you!
Ok, thanks for the quick response – going to try this on the weekend for my daughter’s birthday 🎂
How long can it be at room temp before serving? I want to assemble and decorate it today but concerned about the filling needing to be refrigerated. I read another source saying fruit filling only has to be kept cold if it has eggs in it. Would love to know how long you think it can be left out. Thank you!
Hi, Laura! I would probably store the filling in the fridge until you assemble. Once assembled, the cake should be fine at room temperature for a few hours. If you’re making it a day in advance, I’d suggest refrigerating overnight and then pulling the cake out a couple of hours before serving. 🙂 Hopefully that helps!
Omg the filling and frosting are out of this world. I haven’t made the cake itself yet but the filling and frosting were amazing on my white cake. Might be the best cake I’ve ever had thanks to these two show stoppers.
Very pretty cake with a nice texture, but it was way too sweet for me (which is something that literally never happens!)
I added extra salt, heavy cream, and lemon juice to the frosting to tone down the sweetness
When making the frosting do the freeze dried strawberries make the icing pinkish or should I buy food coloring? Making for my daughters birthday! 🙂
Hi Stephanie! The freeze dried strawberries will give it a subtle pink color, but if you want a really vibrant pink I do suggest using a little bit of pink food coloring as well. Happy birthday to your daughter! ❤️
I’m going to make this for my daughter’s birthday. Should the cake turnout just fine if I omit the sprinkles? I am assuming it would be fine but want to ask just in case!
Yes, the cake should be just fine without the sprinkles! 🙂
This cake was pretty good. We all really liked the freeze dried strawberries in the icing. Icing over the filling didn’t go very smoothly. The strawberry filling was key to preventing cake from being too dry. I didn’t use the almond extract this time and I will next time to strengthen the flavor of the cake!
Have made this recipe multiple times and love it more every time! This time I made just basic cupcakes and am wanting to use the frosting as we get to the cupcakes since my daughter doesn’t like frosting. Could the frosting be made in a batch and kept in the fridge to use as needed?
I thought you were from Philly using the “jimmies” terminology since that’s where I am from and what we call them. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Whoa. Just made this for my daughter’s birthday. This is an incredible cake recipe! That frosting! All of it! This will be something we pass down in the recipe book for sure!