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Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream

Cakes and Cupcakes

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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!

Homemade strawberry funfetti cake with strawberry frosting

Sprinkles make everything better (true fact) so you pretty much can’t go wrong with this super fun Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream! 

Slice of homemade strawberry funfetti cake with strawberry frosting and strawberry cake filling.

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.

Easy strawberry funfetti cake with fresh strawberry frosting

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.

Strawberry funfetti cake with strawberry filling and homemade frosting

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:

  1. Removing the yolks keeps the color of the cake nice and white.
  2. The beaten whites add volume and air to the cake, adding to the nice lighter texture.

Homemade funfetti strawberry cake with fresh strawberry filling and strawberry frosting on top

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).

The best strawberry funfetti cake with a homemade strawberry frosting and an easy strawberry filling

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.

Strawberry funfetti cake made with strawberry buttercream (strawberry frosting)

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!).

Slice of strawberry funfetti cake filled with fresh strawberry cake filling and strawberry frosting

This cake is my everything.

 

5 from 10 votes
Print
Strawberry Funfetti Cake with Strawberry Buttercream
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 
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!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: strawberry funfetti cake
Servings: 10 slices
Author: Michelle
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
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two 8” or 9” circular cake pans.
  2. With a standing or hand mixer, whip egg whites until they reach stiff peaks. Set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. Sift flour, cornstarch, salt and baking powder together.
  5. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Add in vanilla extract, almond extract and sprinkles and stir until just combined.
  7. Fold egg whites into the cake batter, gently mixing until the whites are combined.
  8. Divide batter evenly between the two cake pans and spread in an even layer.
  9. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool.
Strawberry Filling
  1. 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).
  2. Allow to cool completely.
Strawberry Buttercream
  1. Beat butter with a standing or hand mixer for 3-4 minutes (this makes the frosting extra fluffy).
  2. Gradually add in powdered sugar, a half cup at a time, beginning with 3 cups.
  3. 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.
  4. Add in crushed freeze dried strawberries and mix until combined.
  5. If desired, add in a pinch of salt, as this helps cut down the sweetness in the frosting.
Assembling the Cake
  1. Place one funfetti cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate.
  2. Spread a thin layer of strawberry frosting over the top of the cake layer.
  3. 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).
  4. Spoon strawberry filling in the center of the cake.
  5. 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).
  6. Place the second cake layer on top and press down gently.
  7. Spread remaining frosting on top and around the edge of the cake.
  8. Top with strawberries and sprinkles, if desired.
  9. Serve and enjoy!
  10. 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).
Recipe Notes

*Instead of using all purpose flour and cornstarch, you can substitute 2 1/4 cups cake flour. 

 

The best strawberry funfetti cake with homemade strawberry buttercream (easy strawberry frosting)

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Shared by Michelle

Comments

  1. Becky says

    June 12, 2019 at 7:08 am

    5 stars
    Yum, love strawberries, can’t wait to try this taste tempting recipe!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      June 15, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      Thank you so much, Becky! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Cindy D. says

    July 7, 2019 at 9:08 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      July 9, 2019 at 8:39 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Paola says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    Hi! Is it salted or unsalted butter?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      July 12, 2019 at 10:54 am

      Hi Paola! Unsalted butter 🙂

      Reply
  4. Ashley says

    September 26, 2019 at 10:48 am

    Can you make the cake with thawed out frozen strawberries?

    Reply
    • Ashley Singleton says

      September 26, 2019 at 10:50 am

      Actually I’m wondering for the filling, not the cake itself 🙂

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        September 28, 2019 at 7:05 pm

        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! 🙂

        Reply
  5. Taelor says

    February 28, 2020 at 10:50 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      March 6, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      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. ☺️

      Reply
  6. Aaira ibrahim says

    September 11, 2020 at 4:15 am

    5 stars
    Can you use the frosting to frost it as a semi naked cake

    Reply
  7. Jess says

    January 15, 2021 at 2:35 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      January 30, 2021 at 4:55 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Peg says

    January 19, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    5 stars
    Why is there an asterisk beside the flour and corn starch in the recipe?

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      January 20, 2021 at 10:40 pm

      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!

      Reply
  9. Peg says

    January 21, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    Ok, thanks for the quick response – going to try this on the weekend for my daughter’s birthday 🎂

    Reply
  10. Laura says

    January 26, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      January 30, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      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!

      Reply
  11. Laura says

    March 27, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    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.

    Reply
  12. Amber Osborne says

    May 17, 2021 at 7:25 am

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    June 19, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    5 stars
    When making the frosting do the freeze dried strawberries make the icing pinkish or should I buy food coloring? Making for my daughters birthday! 🙂

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      July 1, 2021 at 10:05 pm

      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! ❤️

      Reply
  14. Julie says

    September 21, 2021 at 5:03 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      September 24, 2021 at 10:28 pm

      Yes, the cake should be just fine without the sprinkles! 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Michelle and this is where you'll witness my baking addiction. I bleed coffee and breathe sugar. Come join me as I journey through life one recipe at a time! READ MORE
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