Oh how we love a big slice of strawberry cake, and today's moist & delicious easy strawberry cake recipe all starts with a cake mix!
We have an amazing scratch strawberry cake recipe that we love, but sometimes you need a tried and true doctored cake mix recipe that you can whip up in a flash & that is guaranteed to please a crowd. THIS is that recipe!
Cake Mix Recipes Vs. Scratch Baked...
Have you ever stumbled into the message boards section of a cake decorating site only to find a heated discussion between cake mix bakers and scratch bakers about whether or not cake mix cakes count as homemade?
It can be pretty entertaining, and did I mention heated? Well, I happen to love both scratch recipes and doctored cake mix recipes. If the cake tastes amazing, just bring me a fork, I'm not complaining!
We have tons of favorite scratch cake recipes in our Recipes section, and we have tons of fantastic doctored cake mix recipes too.
The plus of doctored cake mix recipes like today's easy strawberry cake is that they can be whipped up in no time, and the addition of extra ingredients and flavorings really takes the cake texture and flavor to another level!
How to make a Strawberry Doctored Cake Mix Recipe
Although you can easily find strawberry cake mixes at most grocery stores, we prefer to use white cake mix and then add a nice flavor boost from both pureed strawberries as well as strawberry jello.
This cake has received rave reviews over the years and we hope that you enjoy it too!
To make this recipe, prepare three 8 inch round pans.
Next, add all of the ingredients including the white cake mix, strawberry jello, flour, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and mashed strawberries.
(By the way, I love that this recipe calls for real strawberries rather than just the jello. It really does make a difference in the strawberry flavor)!
Then, it's just a matter of dividing the batter between the pans and baking!
How to make your cake extra moist
Once my cake layers have baked, whether I'm working with cake mix or scratch cake layers, I remove them from the oven, allow to cool (in the pans) on cooling racks for about 10 minutes, and then flip them out, wrap with plastic wrap, and then with foil.
Next, off to the freezer they go! Freezing the layers while they are still warm adds a noticeable boost in moisture. It's a myth that freezing cake layers somehow results in a less flavorful or moist cake.
We've been doing this for 15 years now! It really does make such a difference. We've frozen cake layers for up to 2-3 months and they still taste as fresh as the day they were made. I've even popped freshly baked, wrapped layers in the freezer for just a few hours when I'm in a time crunch!
When the cake layers are ready to thaw, simply place the layers, still wrapped, on the countertop and allow them to come to room temperature (or at least partially thawed if you prefer to assemble while the layers are firm). Keeping the layers wrapped will ensure that the condensation forms on the foil rather than the cake itself.
What Frostings & Fillings Taste Great with A Strawberry Layer Cake?
Well, this is a trick question, because there are so many options! I love strawberry cake with:
Cream Cheese Frosting (our Classic and Pipeable Cream Cheese Recipes are perfect)
Strawberry Whipped Cream Cheese Filling
We hope that you enjoy this wonderful recipe! We especially love strawberry cakes in spring and summer months, although I would never turn down a slice in the middle of winter ;0)
It's safe to say that strawberry cake is always a good idea, is sure to please any crowd!
Save this Doctored Strawberry Cake Mix Recipe for Later! Click Here!
We Have More Favorite Strawberry Cake Recipes to Share!
If you're looking for more delicious Strawberry Cakes, don't miss these recipes! Also, keep in mind that this versatile strawberry box mix recipe works well for strawberry cupcakes too!
Strawberry Cake- Doctored Cake Mix Recipe
This easy Strawberry Cake all starts with a simple cake mix! So flavorful!
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix ( 15.25 oz) (432g)
- 1 small box ( 3 ounce) (85g) strawberry Jello
- 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil ( I used canola oil)
- ½ cup milk
- ¾ cup pureed ripe strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees, grease and flour three 8 inch round pans or two 9 inch round pans
- Put all ingredients into your mixing bowl and mix on low speed until the ingredients are blended. Then increase speed to medium and mix for approximately 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl mid way through.
- The mashed strawberries should be well blended into the batter.
- Bake for 30 min. or until tooth pick comes out clean.
In addition to this doctored cake mix Strawberry Cake Recipe, we also have a scratch Strawberry Cake Recipe that we know you'll love! Make sure to hop over and print or save a copy here!: Strawberry Cake from Scratch!
Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check out our full collection of favorite Cake Recipes and Tutorials. We have hundreds to share with you that we have created over the past 10+ years! We hope that you will find something that you'd like to try!
Hi,
Is it possible to make this in 2, 9 inch round pans instead of 3, 8 inch? If so, would I need to adjust anything?
Thanks!
I’m wondering the same thing!! And if so what is the bake time difference?
Hello,
Can I use two 9 inch round pans instead of three 8 inch? If so, would anything need to be adjusted?
Thank you!
Hi... I'm going to ask the same question.. Can i make this in 2 nine inch pans.. How would the baking time be adjusted.. Also can i make cupcakes out of these? How would the time be adjusted
Hi Alyssa, I am sorry your questions was overlooked. Yes, you can use 2 (9x2) inch round pans. Bake at 350 for 23 to 28 minutes. Keep an eye on it. It will be done when a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. You can use the recipe for cupcakes. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes
Hi Alyssa.. Quick question again...for a wedding cake.. How would this be adjusted for the ten inch base layer... Cooking time and temp
I think the recipe makes 5 to 5 1/2 cups batter. One 10 inch round pan can hold 6 cups. Double the recipe for two 10 inch rounds. Bake At 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes
Thanks so much..i have a family event i wanted to make this for.. Plus I'm adding some chocolate dipped strawberries for decor..
I’m making this cake for my granddaughter’s birthday. She wants a whipped cream filling with strawberries. Would the chantilly cream work with this cake with cut fresh strawberries? I want to use the chantilly for the frosting too. (She doesn’t like cream cheese in frosting.)
Hi Inez, yes you could do this cake with Chantilly cream and fresh strawberries in the filling! We did something similar in our Berry Chantilly Cake. It will be great!
https://www.mycakeschool.com/recipes-tutorials/berry-chantilly-cake/
I am making your doctored Strawberry cake tomorrow and I pureed the strawberries but messed it by adding a bit of water to it when I put in to simmer. Can I use 1 cup of the Strawberry puree and omit the milk or use the 3/4 cup puree and 1/4 cup milk. What should I do. I am baking this cake tomorrow so I need your help.
Hi Nadine, the recipe calls for 3/4 pureed or mashed strawberries and 1/2 cup milk. I am not sure why you would reduce the milk to 1/4 cup. Do you feel your strawberries are to watery? You could simmer and reduce further if you want. I would use 3/4 cup puree and 1/2 cup milk. Doctored cake mix cakes are very forgiving, your cake should turn out just fine. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for the response. Yes I thought it was too watery but after I blended it came together more, not like the what I was expecting but way better so I will be following the recipe exactly as stated. Thanks because I was panicking for a moment there.
I followed your instructions and it turned out great. It was light and fluffy. I filled it with Strawberry filling. Thanks alot
I followed your instructions and it turned out great. It was light and fluffy. I filled it with Strawberry filling. Thanks alot
I make this all the time and it's awesome. My customers love it. I wanted to ask if you or anyone has subbed raspberry jello and pureed raspberries to make a raspberry cake? Seems like it would work as it's the same ingredients/consistency?
hi there
can I use a box strawberry cake mix instead?
also question about the strawberry puree.
if I don't add it you mentioned increasing milk to 1 cup?
thanks
Hi April, you can try it- it becomes a very different recipe with these changes and so I can't say what the flavor/texture would be. Back when we wrote this recipe, we didn't care for the flavor of strawberry cake mix but it has been years, and it may have improved. I couldn't find the comment you were referring to re: the milk but generally you would keep the total amount of liquid the same when making a substitution- The puree really helps to give it more of a scratch flavor. Good luck with your experimenting!
How long should I leave it in the oven if doing cupcakes?