Description
Layers of zesty strawberry-lemonade cake dance with tangy frosting, promising summer’s sweetest celebration. Refreshing citrus notes and luscious berry hints create a dessert that welcomes pure indulgence and delightful memories you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 (15.25 ounces/432 grams) box strawberry cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Citrus Components:
- 4 lemons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to specified temperature on cake mix package and prepare cake batter following package instructions with eggs, oil, and water.
- Pour batter into two 8-inch round cake pans and bake according to package directions.
- Allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack, ensuring they reach room temperature.
- Zest two lemons, collecting 1 tablespoon of zest, and extract 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
- In a mixing bowl, whip cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and salt until ultra-smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate confectioners sugar gradually, blending until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Fold in lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice, mixing until evenly distributed.
- Once cooled, carefully slice each cake layer horizontally, creating four delicate layers.
- Position first cake layer on serving plate and generously spread frosting across the surface.
- Stack subsequent layers, spreading frosting between each, and finish with a final frosting layer on top.
- Apply remaining frosting over entire cake, using a bench scraper to create a rustic, partially exposed finish.
- Garnish cake top with thinly sliced lemon rounds for an elegant, citrusy presentation.
Notes
- Chill the cream cheese and butter before mixing to ensure a smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or a splash of lemon extract to the frosting.
- Create a gluten-free version by using a gluten-free cake mix and checking that all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prevent cake layers from sticking by lining the bottom of the pans with parchment paper and lightly greasing the sides.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg