This one layer strawberry shortcake cake is a stunning (yet totally manageable!) ending to your meal. This single layer vanilla cake uses the reverse creaming method, which guarantees a uniquely moist and soft crumb. Top the small cake with vanilla whipped cream and plenty of juicy strawberries. It’s summery, refreshing, and wonderfully light!
I love a good dessert mash up.
- Blueberry Muffin Cookies? Yes.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Layer Cake? Oh yes.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes? Definitely.
Today we’re combining the delicious force of vanilla cake with the undeniable lure of strawberry shortcake. Though I’m sad to see the beloved biscuit go, we’re swapping it for something… dare I say… even better. This strawberry shortcake cake totally looks like a masterpiece, but it couldn’t be easier. It’s a nice manageable size for a small gathering and tastes light and refreshing during these warmer months. I’m officially obsessed. And readers are, too:
One reader, LK, commented: “Outstanding! Just made it—the cake turned out exactly as described and it is delicious and oh-so-easy to make! Another winner! ★★★★★“
One reader, Jennifer, commented: “This recipe was just what I was looking for! I didn’t need a whole 9×13-inch cake and this fits the bill with a 9-inch round cake pan. I prepared according to the directions using the cake flour substitute offered in the recipe. I found it to be perfectly sweet, perfect density, and the crumb was awesome as well! ★★★★★“
One reader, Denise, commented: “Hands down the best strawberry shortcake cake I’ve ever had! This is another one of Sally’s recipes that I will make over and over! ★★★★★“
3 Parts to Strawberry Shortcake Cake
- Vanilla Cake: This small vanilla cake comes together with 9 ingredients. If you occasionally bake, you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. Bake the vanilla cake first, then let it cool completely before topping with whipped cream and strawberries.
- Whipped Cream: Homemade whipped cream is always better (and creamier!) than the store-bought variety. And crazy easy to whip up at home. 😉
- Juicy Strawberries: The epitome of sweet springtime and summer freshness!
Reverse Creaming Method
Do you remember when I shared Tessa’s Blackberry Lavender Cake recipe? Prior to that cake, I had only used the reverse creaming method a few times. But I just loved her cake’s texture and wanted to replicate it here. Instead of starting with creaming butter and sugar together, the reverse creaming method begins with the dry ingredients and ends with the eggs. This method produces a lighter crumb with more spring. The cake is tight like pound cake, but not dense. It’s velvet soft and practically creamy.
You only need 1 mixing bowl. Sift the dry ingredients, including the sugar, into the bowl. Sifting with a fine mesh strainer is imperative because it aerates the dry ingredients and leaves behind larger sugar crystals. Remember, we aren’t creaming sugar and butter together where larger sugar crystals are usually broken down. Next, mix in cubed room temperature butter, a little milk, and the vanilla extract. There isn’t too much butter in this cake, so some milk and the vanilla allows the combination to blend. (Pictured above, right.) The butter coats the flour and this is where all the texture magic takes place. The coating of fat minimizes the flour’s formation of gluten, which helps result in a finer cake crumb. It’s uniquely good!
After that, we’ll add the rest of the liquids including the remaining milk, 1 egg, and a little oil. Avoid over-mixing the batter and don’t worry if there’s a few tiny lumps.
The Perfect One Layer Vanilla Cake
Isn’t it nice to have a recipe for a simple 1 layer vanilla cake? Not a layer cake or a sheet cake, but a simple 8-inch or 9-inch vanilla cake that’s baked in a basic cake pan. How convenient, right? Keep this cake recipe in your back pocket because even if you don’t dig the whipped cream and strawberries, you can top this with vanilla buttercream, chocolate buttercream, strawberry frosting, and more.
By the way, if you need a layer cake with these same flavors, you’ll enjoy my fresh berry cream cake. I also have a 1 layer chocolate cake and it’s actually gluten free! See my flourless chocolate cake.
Small one layer cakes have eluded me for years. They’re always too tall, dense, and/or spongey. I desperately wanted this recipe to work and I’m thrilled with the results. In addition to using the reverse creaming method, I encourage you to follow the ingredients and ratios closely. This includes using cake flour for an ultra light crumb, bringing cold ingredients to room temperature, and adding a little oil for extra moisture.
Strawberries & Whipped Cream
Strawberries: Don’t you just love the glistening strawberries? Grab some fresh strawberries, slice them up, then toss with a little sugar and strawberry jam. The jam is optional, but it gives the strawberries extra sparkle and shine. I recommend mixing the strawberries, sugar, and jam together as the cake cools. This gives the strawberries time to release their natural juices which will seep down into the whipped cream and vanilla cake beneath. This is a VERY GOOD thing!
Whipped Cream: Did you know that you only need 3 ingredients to make real homemade whipped cream? Well technically, you only need 2, but vanilla extract is always a must. Whip cold heavy cream, a little sugar, and vanilla extract together in a large mixing bowl until medium peaks form. When you lift the beater out from the bowl, a slightly sturdy peak should form on it. The peak will slightly droop down, but not lose its shape entirely. Don’t be afraid to stop the mixer and check the consistency of the whipped cream as you go.
Room temperature or warm heavy cream won’t whip, so make sure the cream is extra cold. Pile it high on the cooled cake, then top with a mountain of strawberries. You may be thinking that all the whipped cream and strawberries won’t fit but I assure you… they do!!
Strawberry Shortcake Cake Video Tutorial
I wasn’t going to film a video for this recipe because it’s on the easier side, but the cake’s reverse creaming method is different from what I usually publish. I knew a quick video seeing the cake come together would be helpful!
More Simple Summer Desserts
- Key Lime Pie
- Fruit Pizza
- No Bake Cheesecake
- Peach Cobbler
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
- Berry Icebox Cake or Berry Galette
For more summer dessert inspiration, see my roundups of favorite Memorial Day recipes and BBQ cookout dessert recipes.
Print
One Layer Strawberry Shortcake Cake
- Prep Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
- Yield: serves 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This one layer strawberry shortcake cake combines vanilla cake, fresh juicy strawberries, and homemade whipped cream. It’s a refreshing, light, and totally manageable summertime dessert that’s perfect for a smaller crowd. This single layer vanilla cake uses the reverse creaming method, which guarantees a uniquely moist and soft crumb.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups (148g) cake flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons; 56g) unsalted butter, cubed and softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, at room temperature and divided
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) canola oil or vegetable oil
Strawberries
- 1 and 1/2 cups (240g) sliced strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon (20g) strawberry jam
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup (240ml) cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar*
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8-inch cake pan or 9-inch cake pan, line with parchment paper rounds, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. (If it’s helpful, see this parchment paper rounds for cakes video & post.)
- Sift the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. (Or if using a handheld mixer, any large mixing bowl.) Add the butter, vanilla, and 1/4 cup milk. Mix on medium speed until the dry ingredients are moistened, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl.
- Whisk the remaining milk, the egg, and oil together. With the mixer running on medium speed, add the egg mixture in 2 additions, mixing for about 15 seconds between. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl if needed, then mix for about 15 more seconds or until batter is completely combined. Avoid over-mixing. Some small lumps are OK.
- Pour batter into cake pan. Bake for around 20-22 minutes or until the cake is baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it’s done. Cool cake completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
- Mix the strawberries: When the cake is just about cooled, mix the sliced strawberries, jam, and sugar together. Let it sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator so the strawberries release some of their juices.
- Make the whipped cream when the cake is cooled: Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Medium peaks are between loose peaks and stiff peaks and are the perfect consistency for topping on cakes.
- Place the cooled cake on your serving plate or cake stand. Pile whipped cream on top, then gently spread it out to the edges. Top with strawberries.
- Slice and serve cake immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours before serving. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Freezing & Make Ahead Instructions: The cake layers can be baked, cooled, and covered tightly at room temperature overnight. For best taste, make the whipped cream and strawberries the day of serving. For freezing, bake and cool the cake, then wrap tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter, then continue with the recipe.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 8-inch Cake Pan or 9-inch Cake Pan | Fine Mesh Sieve | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand)
- Cake Flour: For the lightest, softest crumb, I recommend using cake flour. The same amount of all-purpose flour works too and the cake will be soft, just not as fluffy. If you can’t get your hands on cake flour, use this cake flour substitute instead.
- Sugar in Whipped Cream: Some bakers swear by granulated sugar in whipped cream; others swear by confectioners’ sugar. If you’re only working with a couple Tablespoons of sugar, it doesn’t really make a difference. Use either.
Reader Comments and Reviews
Wondering if there is a way to make this and use a 13×9 cake pan. How much batter would I need? Or do you have a recipe for a 13×9 strawberry shortcake sheet cake?
Hi Robin, doubling this recipe and using a 9×13 pan should be fine as the original recipe is so small. It should take about 40-45 minutes at 350F, but use a toothpick to test for doneness. Let us know how it goes!
I had the cake in the oven when I realized I had forgotten the sugar. Oops! My second attempt was perfect, however. And everyone loved it for our early Easter dinner this evening.
I went back and forth on the size of the pan and ultimately chose an 8″. The baked cake was almost 2″ tall – just what I had hoped for. The taste and texture reminded me of the type of shortcake I had as a child so I was very pleased with the effort.
Thank you, Sally, for doing all of the hard work testing a single layer round cake. I’ll be making it again and again!
I want to make strawberry shortcake cupcakes! Would you recommend this cake batter in cupcakes, or a traditional vanilla cupcake recipe?
The cake turned out incredible I doubled it and made a 2 layer cake for my husband’s birthday and he loved it! Thank you Sally for all of your amazing recipes <3
Hi Sally, I made this today, and it was excellent! The cake had a lovely texture and taste, and was a perfect match with the strawberries and cream. Thank you again for all your great recipes! This one is a keeper.
Hi Sally, if you have whipped cream previously should to still whip the sugar and vanilla extract with it, or will it become grainy?
Hi Sarah, you can fold confectioners’ sugar (and vanilla) into unsweetened whipped cream. Best to use confectioners’ sugar just in case the granulated sugar leaves any texture.
Hi Sally
I love your cake recipes especially carrot pineapple cake (recommended by my lil sister) and today I asked my daughter to try this one but unfortunately it turned out completely flat. It was such a disastrous experience! She did add cornflour to replace all purpose flour as you had mentioned. The other thing which I can think of is baking powder which might not have worked. But she used it for carrot pineapple cake last week and it was fab!
Hi Aamna, thank you so much for trying this recipe– did you use the cake flour alternative with all-purpose flour and cornstarch (cornflour)? You mentioned you used all cornflour so that is why the cake didn’t turn out.
I made this cake for my daughters 2nd birthday because she loves strawberries. It was amazing. There was one tiny piece left!
Can you double this recipe?
Hi Giovanna, for best results, we recommend making two separate batches.
Can I use all purpose flour with cornstarch instead of cake flour? And what would be the quantity?
Yes, see the recipe notes on how to make your own DIY cake flour this way.
I wanted to double the recipe to make two of these. Should I make it separate or do you think I can double it and just measure the batter so both cake pans have the same amount of batter??
Hi Kimmy, For the best results and texture we recommend making two separate batches instead of doubling. Happy baking!
For what it’s worth, I have doubled this recipe in one bowl and it comes out just fine. I think I’ve done it that way three times. Normally I wouldn’t risk overloading the mixer but this being a “smaller” recipe I’ve had no problem.
The cake tastes good but I made it in a 6 inch pan and it’s still not as thick as the one here! I didn’t go wrong with the measurements. I see from the comments that someone else has also had a similar issue. I was hoping to bake it in a smaller pan so I could slice it into two to make a layer cake.
Hi Haresh, There’s simply too much batter for one 6 inch cake pan. When you overfill a baking pan the cake will be too heavy to rise properly and will not be able to bake evenly. Here’s our favorite 6 inch vanilla cake if you’d like to try it.
Hi Sally!
I’m planning on making this for a birthday celebration. (3 layers). I want to give it that slightly naked iced look – should I make a vanilla buttercream icing for the outside, or use extra whipped cream to ‘ice’ the outside edges?
Hi Lisa, Either way works! Enjoy 🙂
The crumb was so unique! It is like a lighter, fluffier pound cake. Only substitution I made was almond milk instead of whole milk. Loved that this was a smaller cake. It was perfect for a small gathering of 6 people.
Family loved it and I made it non-dairy to go with our meal (not healthy, just not dairy). I sure it’s even better with Butter and milk.
Hi Sally! Since finding your website at the beginning of this year, I have absolutely LOVED your recipes (and especially the additional tips/notes at the bottom). I’ve started being much more vigilant about using room temperature ingredients where noted and have started weighing out my ingredients too! I have one question for you (or your team); my cakes always turn out much flatter than I believe they should (or how your pictures look). I’m using fresh ingredients and following the instructions as best I can – any thoughts on what is going on? Thanks!!!
Hi Nicole, thank you so much for the sweet comment. I’m so glad you are loving my website and recipes! For flat cakes, have you seen my How to Prevent a Dry or Dense Cake post? A few of those tips will help. Additionally, check your baking powder and baking soda. They should be replaced every 6 months, but I find they begin losing their strength after about 3. Make sure you’re using a sifter here (and other recipes that may call for sifting ingredients) and using cake flour where applicable. Also, make sure your butter is at room temperature, which is cooler than most think. You’ll find my Room Temperature Butter post helpful too!
Hoping to make this tomorrow! Would it be possible to split the cake in half and then add a layer of whipped cream+strawberries in between?
Hi Michelle, You certainly could but it’s not a super tall cake to split. You can make it twice for two layers or use this two layer white cake. Let us know what you try!
Hi Sally! Every single recipe I have tried of yours taste so delicious and this was one did not disappoint. My husband actually requested it as his birthday cake. Great job! Thanks!
Hi Sally, I was wondering if you can substitute whipping cream for the milk in the cake. Thanks!
Hi Penelope, no, heavy cream in the cake batter is much too thick and heavy.
Hi sally I was wondering if I double the recipe would I be able to make this recipe a two layer cake
Hi Victoria, you can absolutely make this cake into two layers (best to make two separate batches) and it would be amazing with whipped cream and strawberries between them. Enjoy!
Can you make the whipping crean ahead of time? I am making your cake today! Love your recipes!
Definitely! 1 day in advance would be just fine. Keep covered and refrigerated.
Thank you! The cake was Amazing and the cream was easy and very good! Will make this recipe again!
My daughter made this cake and it was delicious! I am going to try making it now but I don’t keep vegetable oil in the house. Any substitutes that could work?
Can I use cream cheese frosting instead of whipped cream? Does it go well with the combo? And can I use frozen strawberries – make a compote instead of fresh ones?
Had to change plans last minute and looking for smthing easy
Hi Pratt! You can use any frosting you’d like to pair with vanilla cake and strawberries. Frozen strawberries aren’t ideal because they will thaw on the assembled cake and begin to liquify the frosting underneath. But thawed frozen strawberries should be ok. They will be extra juicy though.
I made this cake and topped it with your strawberry buttercream frosting. The cake was light and moist and not too sweet and that strawberry frosting is so good I wanted to plant my face in the bowl. It was the perfect combo for my father’s 94 birthday!
I’ve made this recipe twice in as many days! First as a birthday cake for a small outside gathering for a friend, and then again for my own household as one slice was not enough. It is delicious and light and I love the dense-yet-moist texture of the cake. Thanks, Sally!
Will the whipped cream and strawberries melt off the cake if I’m going to take the cake someplace else for a party?
I messed up, got distracted and added 100% of the egg mixture all at once. Sped up the machine a bit and it still turned out great.
My additions:
I had over-ripe berries on hand so I used macerated strawberries instead (sliced over-ripe berries + pinch sugar + splash balsamic+ a few hours) Super good!
I always add a scant 1/2 tsp of almond extract to my whipped cream.
Thanks for the recipe!!!
My friend is asking me to make her daughter’s 1st bday cake. I am no pro but wanted to try the vanilla cake for a 2 layer 9 or 10 inch round baking pan. Will your swiss meringue buttercream be good for the frosting for an outside party?
Hi Marie! The Swiss meringue buttercream holds up nicely in warmer weather, yes.
This recipe is now my go to summer dessert. It looks impressive and tastes divine (that 1 T of strawberry jam intensifies the strawberry flavor so much). I have made it 3 times already since I found the recipe about a month ago! Making it again this coming weekend. Never any leftovers; the oohs and aahs from our guests are always so satisfying. Thank you Sally.
Okay great! And how many cupcakes should this yield/ how full should I fill the tins?
Thank you,
Lizzy
Hi Sally,
I was wondering if you could make the cake batter into cupcakes for quicker baking time (I will be baking this with little kids and they get antsy). Please let me know how long they would bake in a cupcake tin!
Thank you,
Lizzy
Hi Lizzy, Absolutely. The bake time will be around 20 minutes.
Can you use almond milk instead of whole milk?
Wonderful cake recipe, soft and buttery as you describe and just the right size for our family over 4th of July weekend. Thanks Sally!