Easy Strawberry Limeade Cake Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Summer Joy

Summer’s sweet strawberry limeade cake bursts with vibrant, refreshing flavors that dance across your palate.

Unexpected zesty notes from fresh lime juice create a surprising twist on traditional desserts.

Perfectly moist layers showcase the brightest seasonal strawberries, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

Bright citrus undertones complement the natural sweetness of ripe berries, making this cake a true crowd-pleaser.

Delicate crumb and tangy frosting promise an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves unique dessert combinations.

Whip up this show-stopping treat and watch faces light up with pure delight.

You won’t be able to resist another slice of this incredible culinary creation.

Limeade Cake With Sweet Strawberry Swirl

• Burst with Summer Freshness: Zesty strawberry-lime combo creates a vibrant dessert that screams warm-weather joy.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Simple step-by-step instructions make this cake accessible for home bakers of all skill levels, requiring basic mixing and measuring techniques.
• Quick Weekend Treat: Total preparation and baking time around 45-60 minutes means you can whip up this delightful cake without spending all day in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations where guests will love the unique fruity twist on a classic cake recipe.

Strawberry Limeade Cake Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: Light and tender base for the cake, provides structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Sugar: Creamy foundation that creates a rich and sweet texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture to the cake.
• Lime Zest: Provides bright, citrusy flavor and aromatic notes.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.
• Lime Juice: Brings tangy citrus taste and moisture.
• Milk: Adds softness and helps create a smooth batter.
• Strawberry Purée: Introduces fruity flavor and natural sweetness.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Smooth and creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Strawberry Purée: Adds fruity flavor and pink color to frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Lime Zest (Optional): Adds extra citrus brightness to frosting.

• Fresh Strawberries, Lime Slices: Beautiful and flavorful decorative elements.

Strawberry Limeade Cake Baking in Just a Few Steps

Step 1: Create Delightful Cake Base

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Lovingly coat two round cake pans with butter and flour.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

In another large bowl, whip butter and sugar until they become light and dreamy.

Gently add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly.

Sprinkle in zesty lime zest and smooth vanilla extract.

Pour lime juice, milk, and vibrant strawberry purée, stirring until the mixture looks perfectly smooth.

Slowly fold in dry ingredients, mixing just until everything combines beautifully.

Step 2: Bake to Golden Perfection

Evenly distribute the cake batter between prepared pans.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Your cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Strawberry Frosting

In a spacious bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting becomes fluffy and light.

Stir in strawberry purée, vanilla extract, and a hint of lime zest for extra zing.

Step 4: Build Your Magnificent Cake

Place the first cake layer on a beautiful serving plate.

Spread a generous layer of frosting across the top.

Carefully position the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with smooth, loving strokes.

Step 5: Serve With Flair

Decorate with fresh strawberry slices and lime wedges.

Slice and savor this extraordinary Strawberry Limeade Cake bursting with tantalizing flavors!

Limeade Cake Tips for a Strawberry-Infused Finish

• Grate lime zest carefully to avoid the bitter white pith, releasing maximum citrusy flavor into your cake batter.
• Strain strawberry purée through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, ensuring a smooth, silky texture in both cake and frosting.
• Fold dry ingredients gently into wet ingredients just until combined to prevent a tough, dense cake texture.
• Bring eggs, butter, and cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent batter and frosting.
• Candied lime zest or fresh strawberry slices make stunning, professional-looking cake garnishes that elevate the visual appeal.

Store Strawberry Limeade Cake

• Store the cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a cake carrier to prevent drying out.
• Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavor.
• Wrap individual cake slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Warm individual slices briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power to maintain moisture and prevent hardening of the frosting.

Strawberry Limeade Cake Pairings

• Pair with Refreshing Beverages: Complement the cake's bright citrus and strawberry flavors with crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, which offer light, zesty notes that match the cake's tangy profile.
• Create a Tropical Drink Match: Serve alongside a classic mojito or strawberry margarita to enhance the lime and fruit elements, creating a vibrant and cohesive flavor experience that elevates the dessert.
• Boost with Complementary Dessert Wines: Select a chilled rosé or a sweet Moscato d'Asti to balance the cake's richness, providing a delightful and harmonious finale to the dessert course.
• Enhance with Sparkling Options: Pour a chilled prosecco or champagne to cut through the cream cheese frosting's richness while highlighting the cake's citrusy and fruity undertones.

S’mores Brownie Pie with Valentine Flair

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake maintains its soft texture and light crumb.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and cream cheese frosting with cashew-based cream cheese alternative for a plant-based treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, reducing overall calorie content while preserving the cake's delightful fruity essence.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Replace milk with almond milk, use dairy-free butter substitute, and swap cream cheese for coconut cream-based frosting to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

FAQs

• What ingredients give this cake its unique flavor profile?

The lime zest, lime juice, and strawberry purée combine to create a bright, citrusy, and fruity taste that makes this cake refreshingly different from traditional cake recipes.

• Is it possible to make this cake without fresh strawberries?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries or high-quality strawberry preserves to create the strawberry purée if fresh strawberries are not available.

• How can I ensure the cake stays moist?

Adding both milk and strawberry purée to the batter helps keep the cake tender and prevents it from becoming dry, ensuring a soft and delicious texture.

• Can I make this cake ahead of time?

You can bake the cake layers in advance and store them wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to two days before frosting and assembling the cake.

Strawberry Limeade Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful strawberry limeade cake brings summer’s zesty charm to your dessert table with a perfect blend of tangy lime and sweet strawberry flavors. Fresh ingredients and simple steps create a memorable treat you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Primary Dry and Wet Components):

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree (blended fresh strawberries)

Flavor Enhancers and Stabilizers:

• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup strawberry puree
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lime zest (optional, for extra lime flavor)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the cake foundation by combining dry ingredients in a mixing vessel, whisking flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly integrated.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture achieves a pale, airy consistency.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete blending after each addition, then fold in vibrant lime zest and aromatic vanilla extract.
4. Gently introduce lime juice, milk, and velvety strawberry purée, stirring until the liquid components merge seamlessly.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring delicately to maintain a silky, uniform batter without overmixing.
6. Prepare cake pans by generously coating with grease and flour, then evenly distribute the batter between two round vessels.
7. Position pans in a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing the cakes to bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until a testing skewer emerges clean.
8. Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
9. Whip cream cheese and butter together until achieving a smooth, luxurious texture for the frosting.
10. Methodically integrate powdered sugar, creating a fluffy, decadent frosting base.
11. Enhance the frosting by folding in strawberry purée, vanilla extract, and optional lime zest for heightened flavor complexity.
12. Position the first cake layer on a decorative serving plate, spreading a generous frosting layer across its surface.
13. Carefully place the second cake layer, then meticulously frost the entire cake with smooth, even strokes.
14. Optionally embellish with fresh strawberry garnishes and delicate lime slice accents for visual appeal.
15. Slice and savor the exquisite Strawberry Limeade Cake, celebrating its harmonious blend of sweet and tangy notes.

Notes

• Adjust the strawberry purée’s sweetness by tasting and adding sugar gradually to match your preference.
• Ensure ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother cake batter and better mixing.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend.
• Reduce sugar content by using fresh strawberry purée and adding a touch of stevia for balanced sweetness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 415
• Sugar: 47 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg