French Strawberry Cake: A Sweet Classic with a Cozy Twist

When I was little, my grandmother had a way of making even the simplest desserts feel special. One summer afternoon, she handed me a bowl of strawberries and told me to slice them while she whisked a batter that smelled like vanilla and butter. We poured the berries right into the mix and slid it into the oven. What came out wasn’t a tall, frosted layer cake—it was something humbler but more magical: a golden French Strawberry Cake, tender in the middle, and bursting with fresh strawberries.

That memory has stayed with me, and it’s why French Strawberry Cake holds such a special place in my kitchen today. It reminds me that baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be wonderful. With a handful of pantry staples and fresh berries, you can create a rustic French cake that feels both simple and elegant.

Why You’ll Love French Strawberry Cake

• French Strawberry Cake is a rustic dessert with a golden sugar crust and custardy center.
• It’s flexible: you can serve it straight from the pan for casual gatherings or dress it up for special occasions.
• Unlike frosted American cakes, a French Strawberry Cake highlights the fruit baked directly into the crumb.
• It’s forgiving—perfect for beginner bakers since it uses basic ingredients and straightforward steps.
• Every slice offers a balance of sweetness, fresh strawberry flavor, and tender texture.

Ingredients and Preparation for French Strawberry Cake

The Essentials You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to bake a traditional French Strawberry Cake (serves 8–10):

• 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (plus 2 tbsp for topping)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream or plain yogurt
• 2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

These ingredients create the perfect balance of sweetness and structure that makes a French Strawberry Cake so irresistible.

For more ideas, browse through strawberry cake recipes or check out my homemade strawberry cake for another take.

Tips for Freshness and Perfect Texture

Swap in a spoonful of brown sugar for caramel-like depth.

Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the best spring strawberry cake flavor.

Pat berries dry to prevent sogginess.

Dust strawberries with flour to keep them from sinking.

Use room-temperature butter and eggs for a light, even crumb.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mixing the Batter Right

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a hand or stand mixer until pale and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Reduce speed to low. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the sour cream. Begin and end with the dry mixture for best texture.
6. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries, lightly dusted with flour to prevent sinking.
7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Baking and Cooling Like a Pro

8. Sprinkle sugar on top of the French Strawberry Cake.
9. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer carefully to a wire rack.
11. Serve warm for a rustic treat, or let cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar or topping with whipped cream.

Here’s a quick reference table for different pan sizes and baking times:

French Strawberry Cake

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• Author: Rosie
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A rustic French Strawberry Cake with a tender custardy crumb, sugar-crackled crust, and bursts of fresh strawberries.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar (plus 2 tbsp for topping)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream or yogurt
• 2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, sliced

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch pan.

2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

4. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

5. Alternate flour mixture and sour cream into batter.

6. Fold in sliced strawberries dusted with flour.

7. Spread batter into pan and sprinkle sugar on top.

8. Bake 35–40 minutes until golden brown.

9. Cool 10 minutes, then transfer to rack.

10. Serve warm or cooled with powdered sugar or cream.

Notes

Dust strawberries with flour to prevent sinking.

Rotate pan halfway for even baking.

Cake keeps well for 2 days at room temp or 4 days refrigerated.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Category: Cake, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg

Tips & Tricks for Best Results

Texture & Flavor Enhancements

1. Fold gently to keep the French Strawberry Cake crumb tender.
2. Add almond extract or lemon zest for a flavor boost.
3. Always sprinkle sugar for a crackled crust.
4. Mix in mascarpone for a richer custardy cake center.
5. Think rustic French farmhouse dessert—simple yet elegant.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

1. Flour strawberries to stop them sinking.
2. Pat berries dry to avoid soggy bottoms.
3. Rotate the pan midway for even baking.
4. Don’t overbake—a moist center is key to a proper French Strawberry Cake.
5. Use room-temperature ingredients for a fluffy crumb.

Variations & Serving Ideas

Fraisier-Style Layered Version

1. Classic French inspiration – A fraisier is a traditional French dessert made with sponge cake, pastry cream, and strawberries.
2. Add pastry cream – Slice the baked French Strawberry Cake into two layers and fill with a rich pastry cream.
3. Soak with kirsch (optional) – Brushing the layers with a little kirsch liqueur gives an authentic touch.
4. Decorate beautifully – Top with sliced strawberries and a glaze for an elegant patisserie-style finish.
5. Special occasion ready – Perfect for birthdays, spring celebrations, or Mother’s Day.

Rustic or One-Bowl Versions

1. Keep it simple – Skip the layers and mix everything in one bowl for a quick, rustic dessert.
2. Skillet bake – Pour the batter into a cast-iron skillet for a farmhouse-style cake.
3. French apple cake twist – Swap apples for strawberries in the classic French gâteau approach, keeping the custardy center.
4. Sugar topping only – Instead of frosting, just use the traditional sugar crust for an understated look.
5. Family-friendly baking – These versions are quick, less fussy, and great for weeknight desserts.

Serving & Presentation

Topping and Garnish Ideas

1. Powdered sugar – A light dusting adds instant charm without overwhelming the flavor.
2. Whipped cream – Softly whipped cream or Chantilly cream balances the cake’s sweetness.
3. Mascarpone topping – Mix mascarpone with a little vanilla and sugar for a rich, creamy finish.
4. Fruit glazes – A thin strawberry or apricot glaze gives shine and a bakery-style touch.
5. Fresh strawberries – Scatter extra berries on top for color and freshness.

Pairings & Occasions

1. Tea or coffee – The cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea or espresso.
2. Brunch spread – Serve alongside scones, muffins, and fresh fruit for a spring brunch.
3. Spring & summer dessert – Ideal for when strawberries are at their peak.
4. Mother’s Day or Easter – Its rustic-elegant charm makes it holiday ready.
5. Casual weeknight treat – Simple enough for everyday baking, not just special occasions.

Storage Tips & Make-Ahead

Best Storage Practices

1. Room temperature – Keeps well covered at room temp for up to 2 days.
2. Refrigeration – Store in the fridge up to 4 days; bring to room temp before serving.
3. Freezing – Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
4. Avoid sogginess – Always cool the cake completely before wrapping.
5. Glass dome storage – Use a cake dome to keep the sugar crust from softening too quickly.

Make-Ahead & Reheating Tips

1. Bake a day early – The flavor deepens after resting overnight.
2. Reheat gently – Warm slices in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to refresh.
3. Chilled serving option – Some prefer the custardy texture when served cold.
4. Freeze unbaked batter? – Not recommended, but freezing baked slices works beautifully.
5. Glaze later – If using a fruit glaze, apply just before serving to keep it shiny.

FAQs

Conclusion

French Strawberry Cake is proof that simple ingredients can create something extraordinary. With its rustic French charm, custardy crumb, and sweet bursts of strawberry, it’s a cake that feels both comforting and elegant. Whether you serve it dusted with sugar, layered fraisier-style, or baked in a cast-iron skillet, this dessert celebrates the beauty of strawberries in every bite.

If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, try exploring more strawberry cake recipes for inspiration. From rustic farmhouse styles to indulgent modern twists, there’s a strawberry dessert for every occasion. Happy baking!

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