Description
This French Strawberry Cake is a rustic, buttery single-layer cake topped with juicy fresh strawberries that sink into the crumb as it bakes. Lightly sweet, elegant yet unfussy, it’s the perfect summer dessert that feels sophisticated but couldn’t be easier to make. Ideal for brunches, celebrations, or when you simply want to eat dessert first!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) white sugar, plus extra for topping
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) cake flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 lb (450 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1–2 tbsp sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9-inch cake pan.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix dry and wet: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet mixture alternately with milk, mixing until just combined.
- Assemble: Pour batter into pan and smooth top. Arrange halved strawberries cut side down on top. Sprinkle 1–2 tbsp sugar.
- Bake: Bake 45–50 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let cool 15 minutes before removing. Serve warm, room temp, or chilled with cream or yogurt.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor and texture.
- Sprinkling sugar on top creates a crisp, caramelized crust.
- Cake flour gives a tender crumb, but all-purpose flour works too.
- Add lemon zest for brightness if desired.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour to keep the cake soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake, Summer Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: french strawberry cake, strawberry dessert recipes, rustic strawberry cake, strawberry butter cake, easy strawberry cake, summer strawberry cake recipe