Are you looking for a delightful treat to enjoy with your afternoon cup of tea or coffee? Look no further than our scrumptious Best Strawberry Lemonade Cake recipe! This delightful dessert perfectly marries the sweet tanginess of fresh strawberries with the zesty flavor of lemonade. The result is a moist, flavorful cake that is sure to impress your family and friends. Let’s dive into the recipe and get baking!
**Best Strawberry Lemonade Cake**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup whole milk
– 3 large eggs
– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons lemon zest
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or baking spray. Set aside.
2. **Prepare the Batter:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
3. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
4. **Fold in Strawberries:** Gently fold in the diced strawberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. **Bake the Cake:** Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. **Cool and Serve:** Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
7. **Enjoy:** Slice the Best Strawberry Lemonade Cake into generous pieces and serve it alongside a refreshing glass of lemonade or your favorite beverage. This cake also pairs well with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
Get ready to indulge in the delightful flavors of strawberries and lemonade with every bite of this moist and aromatic cake. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself to a cozy afternoon at home, our Best Strawberry Lemonade Cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, don’t wait any longer – gather your ingredients and get baking!
