A creamy vanilla buttercream meets strawberry-studded cake layers for a wow-worthy strawberry-vanilla cake.

‘Tis the season for ripe and delicious ruby red strawberriesand this strawberry-vanilla cake.

They are a versatile fruit, which means they can shine in bothsavory and sweet recipes.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake sliced on a cake plate to serve

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And when it comes to springtime celebrations, from bridal showers to graduation celebrations, strawberries really show-off.

Case in point: this wow-worthy strawberry-vanilla cake that is both delicious and beautiful.

Prepare the cake layers in advance, then wrap in plastic wrap and freeze or chill.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake ingredients

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you’re free to frost up to a day in advance, too.

Learn how to make this beautiful strawberry-vanilla cake, and you’ll have your new favoritespring dessert.

Topped with a decadentvanilla buttercream, it’s a layer cake just about everyone will love.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake sliced on plates to serve

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Store fresh strawberries used as garnish separately, if possible.

Bring to room temperature before serving.

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1/2tsp.baking soda

1/4tsp.table salt

1cupwhole buttermilk

1cupchopped fresh strawberries

Vanilla Buttercream:

2cups(1 lb.)

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake beating the butter and sugar together

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unsalted butter, softened

7cups(about 28 oz.)

Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.

Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake adding the eggs and lemon juice to the batter

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Beat in lemon juice and vanilla until combined.

Fold in chopped strawberries.

Grease parchment with butter, and dust insides of pans with flour.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake stirring together the dry ingredients

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Spoon batter evenly among prepared pans, and smooth tops.

Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes.

Invert cakes onto wire racks; let cool completely, about 1 hour.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake adding the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk

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Beat in vanilla and salt.

Increase mixer speed to medium; gradually add cream, beating until fluffy and spreadable, about 30 seconds.

Assemble cake:

Place 1 Cake Layer on a serving plate or a cake stand.

Southern Living Strawberry Cake folding in the chopped strawberries

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Top with about 3/4 cup Vanilla Buttercream, spreading over top to edge of layer.

Top with second Cake Layer; repeat spreading process with 3/4 cup Vanilla Buttercream.

Top with remaining Cake Layer.

Southern Living Strawberry Cake layers after baking

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Frost top and sides of whole cake with remaining Vanilla Buttercream.

Add decorations:

Decorate with whole and halved strawberries.

Fold in chopped strawberries for the same pop of fresh strawberry flavor throughout.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake layers after baking

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This cake can also be made into cupcakes.

Cool, frost, and top with fresh strawberries before serving.

Yes, it’s possible for you to use frozen sliced strawberries in the cake layers.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake beating the butter until smooth

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Use straight from the freezer without thawing and fold into the cake batter as directed.

Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake adding the powdered sugar to the frosting

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Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake frosting after beating until fluffy

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Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake spreading the frosting on one of the layers

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Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake adding frosting to the second cake layer

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Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake covering the entire cake with frosting

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Southern Living Strawberry Vanilla Cake adding the strawberries to the cake

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