Strawberry season is (almost) here, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious gluten free strawberry cake recipe? This recipe for a gluten-free strawberry cake is the perfect way to showcase the amazing flavor of fresh strawberries. Made with a gluten-free flour blend and no food coloring, this cake is sure to please everyone, even those with gluten sensitivities.
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The gluten free strawberry cake recipe is unique because it uses chunks of juicy fresh strawberries instead of pureed strawberries. This way, you get a surprise burst of strawberry flavor in every bite. This gluten-free strawberry cake recipe truly special. The cake batter is light and fluffy, and combined with the tender crumb and chunks of strawberry, the result is a deliciously moist cream cake.
But that's not all - I also add a homemade caramel to this recipe, giving it an extra depth of sweetness and richness. Making this gluten-free strawberry cake is truly easy and the end result is a delicious, homemade treat that will have everyone asking for seconds. You won't be able to resist the amazing strawberry flavor and tender crumb of this gluten-free strawberry cake. So, grab your apron and preheat the oven, let's make some delicious gluten-free strawberry cake!
For more gluten-free cakes, check out my other cake recipes like my Gluten Free Upside Down Plum Cake, Traditional Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake, and Mixed Berry Poundcake.
Why You'll Love This Gluten Free Strawberry Cake Recipe
- The recipe calls for a balanced amount of granulated sugar, making it sweet enough to satisfy your cravings but not overly sweet.
- This recipe utilizes fresh strawberries, which infuse an amazing strawberry flavor into the cake, giving it a natural and authentic taste.
- The gluten-free flour blend used in the recipe ensures that those with gluten sensitivities can also enjoy the delicious taste of strawberry cake.
- This recipe allows you to use fresh strawberries in a unique way, by lining them on the bottom of the cake pan, creating a surprise burst of strawberry flavor in every bite.
- Following this recipe will lead to baking with success, ensuring a perfectly moist and flavorful gluten-free strawberry cake every time.
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Cake
- The key dry ingredients in this recipe include gluten-free flour, a teaspoon of baking powder, and a teaspoon of baking soda. These ingredients work together to give the cake its structure and lift.
- Fresh strawberries are a crucial ingredient in this recipe as they provide the amazing strawberry flavor. The strawberries are used in two ways in this recipe, they are lined on the bottom of the pan and also used as a garnish on top of the cake.
- To sweeten the cake, the recipe calls for white sugar, also known as granulated sugar. This sugar not only sweetens the cake but also helps to create a tender crumb and a moist texture.
- A teaspoon of vanilla extract provides a rich, warm flavor and enhance the taste of the cake.
- Unsalted butter adds richness and flavor to the cake. Additionally, it also helps to bind the dry ingredients together and create a moist texture.
- Unsalted butter makes the caramel which is drizzled over the cake. Caramel adds an extra layer of sweetness to the cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Grease a cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- To make the caramel, mix the granulated sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture turns a golden brown color.
- Pour the caramel into the bottom of the cake pan. Make sure it is evenly distributed.
- Arrange the sliced strawberries on top.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and teaspoon vanilla extract for about 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the cake batter over the strawberries.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Once the cake is done, remove from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Once the cake is cooled, flip it over on a clean plate and peel off the parchment paper.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious gluten-free strawberry cake!
Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Cake from Scratch
- Use a medium bowl and a paddle attachment to mix the dry ingredients together.
- To ensure the cake is light and fluffy, beat the eggs, granulated sugar and vanilla extract for 3-5 minutes, this helps to add air to the mixture which is necessary for a tender crumb.
- To bake with success, it's important to line the bottoms of your cake pans with parchment paper. This ensures that the cake won't stick to the pan and that it will come out smoothly.
- One of the key ingredients for this recipe is fresh strawberries, so it's important to use the freshest and ripest ones to get the most intense flavor.
- Since this recipe does not use any milk, this makes the cake spongy and moist. Be careful not to overmix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Bake for 25-30 minutes and check if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the center.
How to Know When Cake is Done Baking
One way to tell if your vanilla cake or gluten-free cake is done baking is to check the baking time. Most cakes, including this recipe, will take between 25-30 minutes to bake. However, baking times can vary depending on factors such as the size and depth of your pan, and the altitude of your location.
Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake to check if a cake is done baking. If it comes out clean or with moist crumbs clinging to it, the cake is done. The toothpick test is a reliable way to check if a cake is fully cooked.
Another test for knowing if the cake is done is checking for the color of the cake. A good vanilla cake or gluten-free cake should have a nice golden brown color on the top and sides and start to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Lastly, when you gently press on the center of the cake, it should spring back. It's important to note that overbaking the cake can result in a dry and tough cake, so it's best to check for doneness a few minutes before the recommended baking time to achieve a tender cake with moist crumbs.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Vegan
To make this recipe vegan, you will need to make some substitutions for the traditional ingredients. Here are some suggestions for how to make a vegan strawberry cake:
- Use vegan egg replacer, such as flax eggs, or chia eggs or aquafaba as an egg replacement. You can make these by mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg.
- Use vegan butter or oil instead of regular butter. You can find vegan butter in many grocery stores or you can make your own by blending cashews, coconut oil, and salt
- Use non-dairy milk instead of regular milk for serving. You can use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- Use a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. Almond flour is naturally gluten-free and has a similar texture to wheat flour, making it a great substitution. Make sure the gluten-free flour blend is vegan as some contain milk powder.
- Use fresh strawberries! They are naturally vegan.
- For the caramel use vegan alternatives like maple syrup or date syrup, or use granulated sugar like the recipe and use vegan butter instead of regular butter.
It's important to note that these substitutions may change the texture or taste of the final product slightly, but with a little experimentation you can create a delicious vegan strawberry cake that is sure to please. Make sure to check the ingredients of the gluten-free flour, baking powder and other ingredients to ensure they are also vegan.
Ingredient Substitutions
- If you're looking for a sweeter cake, you can substitute some of the granulated sugar with powdered sugar for a softer sweetness.
- If you don't have fresh strawberries on hand, you can use frozen strawberries or even freeze-dried strawberries as a substitute. Simply grind the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder and use it in the same amount as the fresh strawberries.
- If you're looking for a different flavor, you can substitute the gluten-free flour with coconut flour. Keep in mind that coconut flour absorbs more liquid than wheat flour, so you may need to add more non-dairy milk or a thickening agent to the batter.
- If you're looking for a nutty taste, you can substitute the gluten-free flour with almond flour. Almond flour will give the cake a nuttier taste, and it is also gluten-free.
- If you don't have vanilla extract, you can substitute it with other flavorings like almond extract, lemon extract or even other berries extract if you want to experiment with different flavors.
- You can also use Frozen strawberries in place of fresh strawberries and thaw them before use, or you can use pureed strawberries for the recipe, which is a great way to get the strawberry flavor in the cake if you don't have fresh strawberries on hand.
Delicious Strawberry Cake Recipe Variations
- To make the cake even sweeter, you can add powdered sugar to the frosting or drizzle some on top of the cake before serving
- To add a different texture to the cake, you can add some crushed freeze-dried strawberries to the batter or as a topping
- To add an extra burst of strawberry flavor, you can use pureed strawberries in the batter or as a topping. You can use a store-bought strawberry puree or make your own by blending fresh strawberries.
- To add a tangy flavor, you can make a strawberry cream cheese frosting to top the cake. This is made by mixing cream cheese, powdered sugar, and strawberry puree until it reaches a smooth consistency
- For a classic frosting, you can make a strawberry buttercream frosting. This is made by mixing powdered sugar, butter, strawberry puree and vanilla extract until it reaches a smooth consistency.
- To add a nutty flavor, you can use almond meal or almond flour in the cake batter instead of gluten-free flour. This will give the cake a nuttier taste and adds a great texture.
- You can also make a layered cake by splitting the batter into 2-3 pans, and sandwiching layers of fresh strawberries or strawberry puree between each cake layer and frost the entire cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting or strawberry buttercream frosting.
What gluten free flour brand is best for this recipe?
King Arthur Measure-for-Measure Gluten-Free Flour is an excellent choice for this recipe. It is a flour blend specifically formulated as a direct substitute for wheat flour in recipes.
One of the key ingredients in this blend is tapioca flour, which is a starch derived from the root of the cassava plant. Tapioca flour helps to create a light and tender texture in the cake, making it similar to the texture of a traditional wheat flour cake.
In addition to tapioca flour, the blend also includes potato starch, which is another gluten-free starch that is often used in baking. Potato starch helps to add structure to the cake and keeps it moist.
Another benefit of using King Arthur Measure-for-Measure Gluten-Free Flour is that it is a pre-mixed flour blend which eliminates the need to measure out individual ingredients, which makes it convenient for home bakers.
Additionally, the gluten-free flour blend is also free from common allergens like dairy, soy, and nut and has been tested for gluten-free certification, ensuring that it is safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
How to Measure Gluten Free Flour
Measuring gluten-free flour is a bit different than measuring wheat flour, as it is typically denser and more delicate. The best way to measure gluten-free flour is by using a food scale. This ensures that you are using the correct amount of flour and that your recipe will turn out as expected.
When using a food scale, you will want to set it to zero with an empty bowl or measuring cup on the scale. Then, you can add your gluten-free flour blend, one scoop at a time, until you reach the desired weight. Be sure to level off the top of the flour with a straight edge, such as a butter knife.
However, for simple recipes like cakes and cookies measuring cups work just fine. When measuring with measuring cups be sure to use the scoop and sweep method, scooping flour out of the bag with a measuring cup and sweeping the top flat with a straight edge such as a butter knife or spatula.
Recommended Equipment to Make Cake
Here is a list of equipment you will need for this recipe:
- Medium bowl for mixing the dry ingredients
- Paddle attachment for an electric mixer
- Electric whisk for whipping the eggs and sugar
- Food processor for pureeing the strawberries, if needed
- Plastic wrap for covering the cakes and storing leftovers
- 9-inch round cake pans for baking the cakes
- Serrated knife for slicing the cakes
- A cake server for serving the slices of cake
Some additional tools that are helpful but not necessary are:
- Oven thermometer for checking oven's temperature
- Kitchen scale for measuring ingredients
- Parchment paper for lining the bottom of the pan
- Wire rack for cooling the cake
- Spatula or butter knife for frosting the cake
- A container or plastic wrap for storing any leftover strawberry or other ingredients.
Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Cake
Here are some suggestions for serving this gluten-free strawberry cake:
- Serve the cake with a cold glass of almond milk, coconut milk, or other dairy-free milk. This can help to cut the sweetness of the cake and make it a refreshing dessert.
- Top the cake with fresh berries such as sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. This can add a burst of color and flavor to the cake.
- Use leftover strawberry or other berries puree as a topping or drizzle on top of the cake.
- To add a different twist you can serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or non-dairy whipped cream.
- You can serve the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or strawberry ice cream.
- You can serve the cake with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- You can also serve the cake with a side of berry compote or a berry reduction
No matter how you choose to serve it, this gluten-free strawberry cake is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves the taste of fresh strawberries and tender, moist cake.
Storage Tips
Store this gluten-free strawberry cake in a few different ways depending on how much of it you have left and how quickly you plan to eat it.
- If you have a whole cake that you want to keep fresh, you can wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. This will help to keep the moisture in and prevent the cake from drying out. You can store the cake at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If you have a few slices of cake left, you can wrap them individually with plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- If you have leftover strawberry puree or fresh strawberry puree, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- It's also a good idea to store the cake on a plate or cake stand with a lid if you have one, this will prevent it from getting squashed or smashed.
It's important to note that if you are storing the cake with frosting, it is best to store it in the refrigerator to prevent the frosting from melting or getting too soft.
FAQ
Yes, you can make the cake ahead of time and store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but you will need to thaw them before using them in the recipe.
Yes, you can make this cake dairy-free by using a dairy-free butter substitute or oil and a non-dairy milk such as almond or soy milk in place of regular milk.
To make the cake more moist, you can try adding a little extra non-dairy milk or strawberry puree to the batter, or you can brush the top of the cake with a simple syrup made of equal parts sugar and water before baking.
While this recipe specifically calls for gluten-free flour blend, you can use a different kind of gluten-free flour, such as almond flour, however, it may change the texture of the cake.
Yes, you can make this cake vegan by using vegan egg replacer, vegan butter, and non-dairy milk and using vegan alternatives for the caramel.
Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake Recipe (vegan option)
Ingredients
The Cake
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup gluten-free flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
The Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 1 round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Grease a cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- To make the caramel, mix the granulated sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture turns a golden brown color.
- Pour the caramel into the bottom of the cake pan and spread it around until it's evenly distributed.
- Arrange the sliced strawberries on top.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and teaspoon vanilla extract for about 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Pour the cake batter over the strawberries.
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Once the cake is done, remove from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Once the cake is cooled, flip it over on a clean plate and peel off the parchment paper.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious gluten-free strawberry cake!
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