Galentines Cake Strawberry Buttercream

Celebrate friendship and love with this Galentines Cake with Strawberry Buttercream. This festive and visually stunning vanilla layer cake is frosted with a luscious strawberry buttercream, featuring an eye-catching pink ombre effect that makes it the perfect centerpiece for any gathering.

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This medium-difficulty dessert yields 12 servings, making it ideal for sharing. By using pink gel food coloring to create a gradient of shades, you can transform a simple vanilla cake into a work of edible art that tastes as good as it looks.

Ingredients

• For the Vanilla Cake: 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp fine salt, 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar, 4 large eggs (room temperature), 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk (room temperature).
• For the Strawberry Buttercream: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter (room temperature), 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar (sifted), 1/2 cup (120 g) freeze-dried strawberries (finely ground), 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, pink gel food coloring (optional).
• For Assembly & Decoration: Fresh strawberries (optional), edible glitter or sprinkles (optional).

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Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla extract.

Step 5

Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.

Step 6

Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Smooth tops.

Step 7

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely.

Step 9

For the strawberry buttercream: Beat butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and ground freeze-dried strawberries. Mix in cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth.

Step 10

Divide buttercream into three bowls. Leave one plain. Tint the second bowl a light pink, and the third a deeper pink using gel food coloring.

Step 11

Place the darkest pink buttercream in a piping bag. Repeat with the medium and light pinks in separate bags.

Step 12

To assemble: Level cake layers if necessary. Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a layer of lightest buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers, using medium and dark buttercream as you stack.

Step 13

For the ombre effect: Spread the darkest pink buttercream around the bottom third of the cake, medium pink in the middle, and lightest pink on top. Smooth with an offset spatula or cake scraper to blend the colors slightly.

Step 14

Garnish with fresh strawberries and edible glitter or sprinkles if desired. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer is essential for achieving the right consistency for both the cake batter and the buttercream. For the smoothest ombre finish, use an offset spatula or a dedicated cake scraper to blend the three pink shades together while the frosting is still fresh.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For an extra burst of strawberry flavor, you can spread a thin layer of strawberry jam between the cake layers before adding the buttercream. This adds a nice textural contrast and deepens the fruit profile of the dessert.

Serviervorschläge

This cake is best served slightly chilled to maintain the structure of the buttercream layers. Pair it with a glass of sparkling rosé or a light, fruity cocktail to enhance the festive theme of your Galentines celebration.

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Each slice of this cake contains approximately 495 calories, 24 g of fat, 65 g of carbohydrates, and 4 g of protein. It is a vegetarian-friendly treat that contains wheat, eggs, and dairy, making it a rich and indulgent way to celebrate with those you love.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ What gives the pink ombre effect on the buttercream?

The ombre effect is created by tinting the strawberry buttercream in three shades of pink using gel food coloring, then layering and smoothing the colors on the cake.

→ Can freeze-dried strawberries be substituted?

Fresh strawberries can be used to flavor the buttercream, but freeze-dried strawberries provide a concentrated flavor and a dry texture ideal for smooth frosting.

→ How should the cake layers be prepared for assembly?

After baking and cooling, layer the cake evenly, leveling if needed, then spread the buttercream in layers to build the cake before adding the ombre effect on the exterior.

→ What tools are recommended for smooth frosting?

An offset spatula and cake scraper help blend the colored buttercream layers smoothly and achieve the delicate ombre finish.

→ How can I enhance strawberry flavor in the layers?

Adding a thin layer of strawberry jam between cake layers intensifies the strawberry flavor and adds moisture.