There’s a special kind of anticipation that comes when slicing into a white chocolate strawberry cake—that beautiful moment when the creamy white layers reveal themselves, dotted with ruby-red berries and filled with pink-tinged frosting. It’s summer on a cake stand, no matter what season it happens to be outside.
Welcome to another time-saving recipe from Daily Easy Meals that makes homemade cooking possible even on your busiest days! As a mom who understands the chaos of family life, I’ve discovered that this white chocolate strawberry cake recipe brings joy to your table while making everyday moments feel celebratory. The combination of delicate white chocolate cake with the bright freshness of strawberries creates a dessert that looks like it took hours but comes together with surprising ease.
My mother, coming home from long nursing shifts, would occasionally make what she called “celebration cakes” even when there was nothing specific to celebrate. “Sometimes,” she’d say while slicing fresh strawberries, “we need to create our own special occasions.” This white chocolate strawberry cake recipe honors that wisdom—creating a dessert that transforms an ordinary family dinner into something worth remembering.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why Busy Families Will Love This White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe
- Creates a bakery-worthy dessert with simple techniques
- Perfect balance of sweet white chocolate and bright strawberry flavor
- Beautiful pink-and-white presentation that impresses without complicated decorating
- Flexible ingredient options that work with fresh or frozen berries
- Makes weeknight dinners feel special without hours in the kitchen
- Celebrates berry season in spring and summer (but works year-round)
- Time-saving shortcuts that don’t sacrifice that made-from-scratch taste
- Approachable recipe that brings smiles to busy family tables
- Can be prepared in stages when time is limited
I first made this white chocolate strawberry cake recipe for my daughter’s birthday when I was short on time but wanted something more special than a basic cake. The look on her face when she saw those beautiful strawberry layers told me everything I needed to know—this would become our family’s “special day” cake. Since then, it’s made appearances at countless family celebrations, both planned and spontaneous.
The White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe That Makes Any Day Feel Special
Ingredients You’ll Need white chocolate strawberry cake recipe
White Chocolate Strawberry Cake
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicate white chocolate cake with fresh strawberry filling and strawberry white chocolate frosting – a beautiful dessert perfect for celebrations and family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the White Chocolate Cake Layers:
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 6 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
For the White Chocolate Strawberry Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ¼ cup strawberry puree (from about ½ cup fresh strawberries)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
For the White Chocolate Cake Layers:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper.
- Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in egg whites one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extract (if using).
- Pour in melted white chocolate and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk (beginning and ending with flour). Mix just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For the Strawberry Filling:
- Combine diced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until berries break down, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in cornstarch mixture and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until completely cooled and thickened, at least 1 hour.
For the White Chocolate Strawberry Frosting:
- Puree fresh strawberries and strain if desired to remove seeds.
- Beat butter until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add melted white chocolate and beat until well incorporated.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with strawberry puree. Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Assembly:
- Level cake layers if needed.
- Place one layer on serving plate. Pipe a ring of frosting around edge to create a dam.
- Spread strawberry filling within frosting dam.
- Place second cake layer on top.
- Apply thin crumb coat of frosting, refrigerate 15-20 minutes, then apply final layer of frosting.
- Decorate top with fresh strawberries.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients are crucial to prevent white chocolate from seizing
- Use real white chocolate containing cocoa butter for best results
- Choose ripe, red strawberries for the best color in the frosting
- For frozen strawberries in the filling, add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 64g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: white chocolate strawberry cake recipe, strawberry cake, white chocolate cake, strawberry dessert, celebration cake, berry cake, special occasion dessert
For the White Chocolate Cake Layers:
- 2¼ cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional but enhances the strawberry flavor)
- 6 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
For the White Chocolate Strawberry Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ¼ cup strawberry puree (from about ½ cup fresh strawberries)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Let’s Make This Berry Delicious Treat white chocolate strawberry cake recipe
For the White Chocolate Cake Layers:
- Prep your workspace. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Prepare the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Create the creamy base. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This creates the perfect foundation for a tender cake.
- Add flavor elements. Beat in the egg whites one at a time, then add vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
- Incorporate the star ingredient. Pour in the melted white chocolate and mix until well combined.
- Complete the batter. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk (beginning and ending with flour). Mix just until combined after each addition.
- Bake with care. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges just begin to pull away from the sides.
- Cool completely. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely before filling and frosting.
For the Strawberry Filling:
- Create the berry base. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the berries begin to break down and release their juices, about 5 minutes.
- Thicken to perfection. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cool completely. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until completely cooled and thickened further, at least 1 hour or overnight.
For the White Chocolate Strawberry Frosting:
- Prepare the strawberry element. Puree fresh strawberries in a blender or food processor and strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds if desired.
- Create the frosting base. Beat the butter until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add white chocolate. Pour in the melted white chocolate and beat until well incorporated.
- Build the frosting. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the strawberry puree. Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. The frosting should be a beautiful pale pink color.
Assembly:
- Level if needed. If the cake layers have domed tops, use a serrated knife to level them for even stacking.
- Create your base. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Pipe a ring of frosting around the edge to create a dam for the filling.
- Add the filling. Spread the cooled strawberry filling evenly within the frosting dam.
- Complete the stack. Gently place the second cake layer on top of the filling.
- Frost with love. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting all over the cake. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes, then apply the final layer of frosting.
- The finishing touch. Decorate the top with fresh strawberries, either whole or halved, arranged in a circle or any pattern you prefer.
Stuffani’s Notes from Years of White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Success
- Room temperature ingredients are crucial. Cold eggs or buttermilk can cause the melted white chocolate to seize up. Set everything out about an hour before you begin.
- Quality matters with white chocolate. Use real white chocolate that contains cocoa butter (check the ingredients list), not “white chips” which are often made without cocoa butter and won’t melt properly.
- For the pinkest frosting, choose the ripest, reddest strawberries you can find. The deeper their color, the prettier your frosting will be.
- If using frozen strawberries for the filling, there’s no need to thaw them first. Simply add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch to account for the extra liquid they’ll release.
- Storage suggestion: This cake should be refrigerated due to the fresh strawberry components. It keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe
Q: Can I use a white cake mix instead of making the cake from scratch?
A: Absolutely! While the homemade version has a wonderful flavor from the white chocolate in the batter, you can certainly use a white cake mix for a quicker option. After preparing the mix according to package directions, stir in 4 ounces of melted white chocolate to give it that special flavor boost.
Q: I don’t have buttermilk. Is there a substitute?
A: Yes! Make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. The slight acidity helps create a tender crumb in the cake. white chocolate strawberry cake recipe
Q: Can I make this cake in advance for a party?
A: This cake works beautifully as a make-ahead dessert. You have a few options: 1) Bake the cake layers up to 2 days ahead, wrap tightly and keep at room temperature; 2) Make the filling a day ahead and refrigerate; 3) Assemble the entire cake the day before your event and refrigerate overnight, which actually allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
4 Simple Variations on This White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe
- Triple Berry Delight
Replace half the strawberries in both the filling and frosting with a mixture of raspberries and blueberries for a more complex berry flavor that pairs beautifully with the white chocolate. - Strawberry Champagne Celebration
For an adults-only version perfect for anniversaries, replace 2 tablespoons of the buttermilk with champagne in the cake batter, and add 1 tablespoon of champagne to the frosting for a subtle special-occasion twist. - Strawberry Lemon Brightness
Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the cake batter and replace the almond extract with lemon extract for a bright, summery flavor combination that enhances the strawberries. - Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Cake
Drizzle the frosted cake with melted semi-sweet chocolate and garnish with chocolate-dipped strawberries for a dessert that mimics the popular chocolate-covered treat.
A Few Final Tips for White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe Success
If you’re making this cake when strawberries aren’t in season, good-quality frozen strawberries work beautifully in the filling. For the frosting and decoration, you can use freeze-dried strawberries (ground into a powder for the frosting) and save the few fresh berries you can find for the top decoration.
For the most beautiful presentation, try this simple trick: After frosting the cake, use the back of a spoon to create subtle swirls in the frosting, then place halved strawberries around the top edge, points facing outward, like a strawberry crown.
This time-saving white chocolate strawberry cake recipe proves that creating a celebration-worthy dessert doesn’t require professional baking skills or an entire day in the kitchen. At Daily Easy Meals, we believe these approachable baking solutions—recipes that look impressive while remaining completely doable—are exactly what busy families need to bring joy to the table for both special occasions and everyday moments worth celebrating.
With warmth,
Stuffani
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Looking for more white chocolate inspirations? Check out our complete guide to white chocolate cake recipes or try our White Chocolate Coconut Cake Recipe for another delightful flavor combination.
