Galentines Cake Strawberry Buttercream

Celebrate friendship and love with this Galentines Cake with Strawberry Buttercream. This festive and visually stunning vanilla layer cake is frosted with luscious strawberry buttercream in an eye-catching pink ombre effect, making it the perfect centerpiece for your next gathering.

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This American-style dessert yields 12 servings and is rated medium in difficulty. With a preparation time of 40 minutes and a baking time of 30 minutes, you can have this masterpiece ready to serve in about an hour and a half.

Ingredients

• For the Vanilla Cake:
• 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, room temperature
• For the Strawberry Buttercream:
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/2 cup (120 g) freeze-dried strawberries, finely ground
• 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Pink gel food coloring (optional, for ombre effect)
• For Assembly & Decoration:
• Fresh strawberries (optional, for garnish)
• Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)

Soft, absorbent towels keep counters dry while cooking, wiping spills, and handling dishes during everyday recipe prep.

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Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla extract.

Step 5

Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.

Step 6

Divide batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Smooth tops.

Step 7

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and cool completely.

Step 9

For the strawberry buttercream: Beat butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and ground freeze-dried strawberries. Mix in cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth.

Step 10

Divide buttercream into three bowls. Leave one plain. Tint the second bowl a light pink, and the third a deeper pink using gel food coloring.

Step 11

Place the darkest pink buttercream in a piping bag. Repeat with the medium and light pinks in separate bags.

Step 12

To assemble: Level cake layers if necessary. Place first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a layer of lightest buttercream. Repeat with remaining layers, using medium and dark buttercream as you stack.

Step 13

For the ombre effect: Spread the darkest pink buttercream around the bottom third of the cake, medium pink in the middle, and lightest pink on top. Smooth with an offset spatula or cake scraper to blend the colors slightly.

Step 14

Garnish with fresh strawberries and edible glitter or sprinkles if desired. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To ensure the best texture, make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before starting. If you want to prepare ahead, the cake layers can be baked and frozen for up to 1 month. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap once completely cooled.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For an extra burst of fruitiness, spread a thin layer of strawberry jam between the cake layers during assembly. You can also customize the ombre effect with different shades of pink or even other colors depending on the occasion.

Serviervorschläge

This cake pairs beautifully with sparkling rosé or a light fruity cocktail for a truly festive touch. Serve it on a white cake stand to let the vibrant pink ombre effect stand out.

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Each serving of this delicious vanilla and strawberry treat contains approximately 495 calories. It contains wheat, eggs, and dairy, so be sure to check ingredient labels if you have specific allergen concerns.

Toast bread, bagels, and sourdough evenly for breakfast, sandwiches, and quick meal prep.

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Recipe Questions & Answers

→ How can I achieve the pink ombre effect on the buttercream?

Divide the strawberry buttercream into three portions and tint each with varying amounts of pink gel food coloring—from light to dark. Apply the darkest shade at the bottom, medium in the middle, and the lightest on top, then smooth to blend.

→ What makes this cake moist and tender?

The combination of room-temperature unsalted butter, whole milk, and properly creamed sugar and eggs creates a moist, tender crumb with balanced sweetness and texture.

→ Can I prepare the cake layers ahead of time?

Yes, cake layers can be baked in advance and frozen for up to one month. Thaw completely before assembling and frosting.

→ What alternatives can I use if freeze-dried strawberries are unavailable?

Fresh strawberries can be pureed and reduced to intensify flavor, though freeze-dried provides concentrated taste without extra moisture, ideal for buttercream.

→ How should I store the finished cake?

Cover and refrigerate the assembled cake. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.