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.
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
- Mixed Berry Galette
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
- Berry Icebox Cake
For more summer dessert inspiration, see my roundups of favorite Memorial Day recipes and BBQ cookout dessert recipes.
PrintOne 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; 60g) 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.
Keywords: strawberries, whipped cream, vanilla cake, summer
I made this cake and everyone loved it!
I have an event coming up and I wanted to make this cake in cupcake size. (Large cupcakes, used a jumbo muffin tin). They took about 21 mins to be fully cooked, but they ended up very dry! Is there anything I can do to prevent them being so dry?
Thanks!
Hi Leni! If the cupcakes were dry, it’s possible they were over baked just a bit (even just a minute or two can dry them out!). These tips on how to prevent dry and dense cakes may also help for next time.
Hi! Could I use buttermilk in place of whole milk?
Love your recipes!!
Hi Annie, you can use buttermilk instead of the whole milk here, yes. Hope you enjoy the cake!
How should I adjust the cake flour substitute so that I can get 1 1/4 cups and not 1 cup?
Hi D.M., we recommend following our cake flour substitute recipe twice to make two cups, then measuring from that. Enjoy!
If I wanted to add almond extract, how much do you suggest?
Hi Lisa, you could start with 1/2 tsp. Hope you love this cake!
Hi Sally, can I use the filling for a three layer white cake? I am worried it might leak into the cake. I plan on adding a thin layer of buttercream on the cake to avoid that but will that be enough? What’s the difference between using macerated strawberries and just regular sliced strawberries in the filling? Will one last longer or is it just for the extra sweetness?
Hi Harry, for a layered cake filling– you could add a layer of regular sliced strawberries (not combined with sugar/macerated) on top of buttercream. Or used whipped cream and fresh sliced berries like we do with this fresh berry cream cake. (Similar to this recipe!)
Mine came out incredibly flat. The taste is good. Is the thickness in the pictures here an accurate representation of what other bakers are getting?
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Hi Stephanie, thanks so much for giving this recipe a try. For flat cakes, have you seen our 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 we 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 our Room Temperature Butter post helpful too!
Hi Sally! I made two batches back to back for my brother-in-law’s birthday party. I did my first batch with a 9 in pan and it took 21 minutes. For my second batch I wanted to test out my new 8 in pan and it took 30 minutes to bake. Is this normal? I love your recipes!
Hi Lindsay, that’s fine — the cake will take a bit longer to bake in the 8 inch pan since there is more batter for a thicker layer. Hope the cake was a hit at the party!
Yummy recipe; I made double layer of this cake with oreo cake cream in center: (1 stick butter melted in small pan, stir in 4 tbsp flour, add 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Cook Med-low till thickened and let cool completely then blend to fluff). Then whipped heaving cream with vanilla and sugar for top and the strawberry mixture on top of that. Delicious!
Oops; Heavy cream, not heaving cream
My daughter loves this cake and is requesting that I make it for her birthday party. Is it possible to double the recipe? I need enough for 15 little girls!
Thank you Sally! We LOVE your recipes!
★★★★★
Hi Mary, rather than doubling, it’s best to make two separate batches. Hope it’s a hit at the birthday party!
This is a quick & delicious recipe that I can whip up & serve in little time. I like that it’s low sugar too. I’ve made it several times already this summer.
★★★★★
Hi Sally! Can this recipe be doubled to make a two layer cake? Or would it be better to slice one layer in half horizontally? Would the whipped cream stay in place between two layers? thank you !
Hi Meryum, rather than doubling, it would be best to make two separate batches and then yes, you can layer the cakes with whipped cream in between. You could try halving one layer, but they’ll be pretty thin. Let us know what you try!
This was so easy even for a novice baker and was delicious! My only problem was that it was pretty thin and not very thick and fluffy and I was hoping. What could I have done wrong/can do next time to make sure it’s even better!
★★★★★
Hi Jamie! This is a thinner cake, did you use a 9 inch pan? You can try baking in an 8 inch pan instead for a slightly thicker cake next time! How was the texture? If it seemed dense at all, make sure to use proper room temperature ingredients and be careful not to over-mix the cake batter.
Thank you for getting back to me! I did use a 9” pan but it was a little dense. I’ll make sure to leave the ingredients out longer next time, I’m sure that was it.
Thanks!
Can I add chopped strawberries in the batter as well before baking the cake?
Hi Mahija, since strawberries add so much moisture to the batter, it would take some recipe testing in order to guarantee results. Let us know if you do give anything a try.
Can this be made into cupcakes? If so, how many and the baking time?
Thanks as always.
Hi Sheila, absolutely. All standard size cupcakes, including these, usually take around 20 minutes. Should yield around 12 cupcakes.
Thank you so much.
Loved it! Quick and easy to make. I even used much less sugar than the recipe called for and it was deeelish!!
Thank you for the great recipe
★★★★★
Hi Sally,
Can this be baked in an 6” round tin?
Thank you!
Kind regards,
Francine
Hi Francine! This will be too much batter for a 6 inch cake pan. Our handy Cake Pan Sizes and Conversions guide can help you scale this recipe for your needs.
Sally, if you don’t have cake flour in the house, can you use all purpose or will this make the cake too dense?
Hi Mary Ann! If you can’t get your hands on cake flour, use this cake flour substitute instead. Enjoy!
Hi Sally
I was wondering could this cake be made into a sheet cake? 9×13 pan. If so do you have a recipe?
Hi Nikitress, 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 doubled the recipe for a 9×13 pan and baked it for 30 minutes at 350° and it seemed done. It probably varies oven-to-oven, but I’d recommend testing it sooner than 40 minutes. This recipe tastes amazing!
★★★★★
Have a question about the whipped cream.
I have a friend coming from the UK in a few weeks, and she requested strawberry shortcake. Biggest problem is, I have to transport it, somewhere….still working on the location and the time. Already planning on doing it “deconstructed “. Read a post where someone did it in cupcake form – which might be an idea. I know I can bake the cake layer and freeze it and get the strawberries ready to go(probably the day before). But the cream topping….What’s going to be best? Will it last a trip that could be anywhere between 10 miles or 40 miles, in the heat/humidity of GA in Aug?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Hi Sheila, whipped cream can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but it starts to lose its shape after that. If you make the whipped cream right before your trip and are able to transport it in a cooler, it should still be fine if consuming once you arrive (within 24 hours). Hope this is helpful!
Love this cake! I was wondering if it would be possible to make this as cupcakes instead of a 8 or 9 inch cake? If so, how long would you recommend baking the cupcakes for? Thanks so much.
Hi Elizabeth! Absolutely. All standard size cupcakes, including these, usually take around 20 minutes. Should yield around 12 cupcakes.
I made this yesterday and it is so good. The sponge was easy to make thanks to your fabulous instructions, illustrations and video. The 3 components individually are lovely but together they are wow! I may have slightly overbaked the sponge, not to the point of being dry but I could definitely tell there was oil in the batter as the edges were a bit crispy. I will make this again it is a lovely dessert. Thank you
★★★★★
I made this cake last night for a dinner with friends and it was INCREDIBLE! I couldn’t believe how easy the recipe was, especially the whipped cream. Will definitely be making this again and adding it to my favorites. Thank you, Sally, for another homerun!
★★★★★
uh, cake ingredients say “1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, at room temperature and divided” haha. should the milk be room temp?
Hi Rachael! That’s correct. The milk is added in 1/4 cup at a time (in step 2 and step 3). You also want the milk at room temperature. We recommend taking it out about an hour before you’ll make the cake.
This is the next recipe on my list to try!! Instead of strawberry jam I’ll be trying out chokecherry jelly and adding a splash of passionfruit liquor for added flavor. 🙂 I’m also thinking of doing a white chocolate whipped cream instead of plain. Will update my comment after trying it out with my alterations. 🙂
Hi Sally, I assume a 8 or 9″ square baking pan would be fine for this too… don’t you think? I would say no change to the cooking time really, just make sure the toothpick comes out clean. It would make it very easy for taking to a picnic! Thanks!
Hi Heather, and 8″ square pan should be just about the correct size. Let us know if you give it a try!
How high is just the cake supposed to be? Roughly—thanks!!
Hi Deb! I would guess about an inch and a half to two inches – a little shorter on the sides. Hope you love it!
Made this today for the 4th of July and it was a huge hit. Light, fluffy… the perfect crumb and taste for a strawberry shortcake. I will definitely make this again. Thank you!
★★★★★
I made mine in a heart shaped spring form pan. It was as deep as a regular single layer cake. It’s very good and I’ll be baking this all summer. We are growing strawberries, YUMMY!
★★★★★
do you know how to make heavy whipping cream or we should buy the heavy whipping cream
Thanks,
Sherlyn
Hi Sherlyn, we purchase heavy whipping cream at the store (usually by the milks). You’ll then use the heavy whipping cream to make your own homemade whipped cream. Hope this is helpful!
This was super easy and tasted great! I’m wheel chair bound and with the exception of plugging in the mixer I made this completely on my own! It’s that easy & looked like the pic!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Diana!
I made this today and it is delicious!! Super easy to make and the jam is totally worth using. Half of it was eaten immediately by my family. Will definitely make this again!!
★★★★★
I made it and all my family and friends went nuts for it. Easy, fast , and very very delicious. I’m addicted to your blog now
★★★★★
We’ve made this recipe 3x in the last two weeks to use our fresh-picked strawberries (before they go bad!) and then we gobble it up within a day. It is so delicious and not too sweet.
Hi Sally! I want to make this cake but have the whip cream and strawberries in the middle so it’s flat on top. Is that possible?
Hi Vanessa! You could try to slice the cake in half (it would be very thin!) and place the strawberries and whipped cream in the middle, or double the cake recipe so you have to layers of cake to work with. Let us know what you try!