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Strawberry Lemonade Ombre Layer Cake

strawberry lemonade ombre layer cake - featured image
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This stunning ombre layer cake features vibrant pink layers flavored with real strawberries and zesty lemon, all wrapped in a luscious strawberry lemonade cream cheese frosting. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for celebrations, brunches, or any occasion that calls for a burst of summer flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 2 large lemons)
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup (120g) strawberry puree (blend fresh or frozen strawberries, then strain)
  • Pink or red food coloring (gel preferred, optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the Frosting:
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 12 oz (340g) cream cheese, softened (brick style)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup (80g) strawberry puree
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional for Decorating:
  • Fresh strawberries, halved or sliced
  • Lemon zest curls
  • Edible flowers

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Bring butter, cream cheese, eggs, and buttermilk to room temperature.
  2. Blend about 1 cup (150g) fresh or thawed strawberries until smooth. Strain to remove seeds. Reserve 1/2 cup for cake and 1/3 cup for frosting.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup butter with 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping bowl between additions. Add lemon zest, 3 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
  6. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry mix. Mix gently. Fold in 1/2 cup strawberry puree until just blended.
  7. Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain (lightest pink). For the second, add a few drops of pink/red food coloring and a spoonful more strawberry puree for a medium shade. For the third, add more coloring and puree for the deepest pink. Mix each just until color is uniform.
  8. Pour each colored batter into its own prepared pan. Smooth tops. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through if needed.
  9. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  10. For the frosting: Beat 1 cup butter and 12 oz cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar. Mix in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/3 cup strawberry puree, 1 tsp vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and creamy. Chill if too soft.
  11. To assemble: Place darkest cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Repeat with medium and lightest layers. Use remaining frosting to cover the cake.
  12. Decorate with sliced strawberries, lemon zest, or edible flowers. Swirl extra strawberry puree on the frosting if desired.
  13. Chill finished cake for at least 30 minutes to set layers. For best flavor, let sit at room temp for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients and weigh batter for even ombre layers. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tbsp lemon juice with 1 cup milk and let sit for 5 minutes. Gel food coloring gives the most vibrant color without thinning the batter. Cake can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with appropriate substitutions. Chill the cake before slicing for clean layers. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze slices for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry lemonade cake, ombre layer cake, summer dessert, pink cake, cream cheese frosting, birthday cake, baby shower cake, brunch dessert, fruit cake, easy layer cake

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/strawberry-lemonade-ombre-layer-cake-recipe-easy-stunning-pink-dessert/