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Perfect Vanilla Bean Layer Cake Recipe with Easy Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

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A soft, tender vanilla bean cake layered with a luscious, lightly sweetened strawberry buttercream frosting. Perfect for celebrations or any occasion that calls for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla bean paste or seeds from 1 vanilla bean pod
  • For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting:
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¾ cup (about 120g) fresh strawberries, pureed and strained
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a mixer bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time on medium speed, beating well after each addition.
  5. Mix in vanilla bean paste or scraped seeds until evenly distributed.
  6. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check at 25 minutes.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks, remove parchment, and cool completely.
  10. For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed until combined.
  11. Mix in strawberry puree, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust cream for consistency.
  12. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread strawberry buttercream generously over it.
  13. Top with second cake layer and frost top and sides evenly. Smooth with offset spatula or create swirls.
  14. Chill cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing to set frosting.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and milk for better batter consistency. Beat butter and sugar long enough to trap air for a tender crumb. Sift flour and powdered sugar for light texture. Strain strawberry puree to remove seeds for smooth frosting. Chill cake layers if kitchen is warm to prevent frosting from melting. If frosting is too soft, refrigerate 10-15 minutes and re-whip before spreading.

Nutrition

Keywords: vanilla bean cake, strawberry buttercream, layer cake, vanilla cake recipe, easy cake frosting, celebration cake, homemade cake

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/perfect-vanilla-bean-layer-cake-recipe-with-easy-strawberry-buttercream-frosting/