Fresh Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake with a Zesty Twist

Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake is a soft, fruity cake. It is made with fresh strawberries, lemon flavor, and creamy buttermilk. This cake is sweet, tangy, and very moist.

One bite and you will fall in love with this cake. The mix of strawberry and lemon feels fresh and bright. It is the perfect treat for summer days.

This cake is simple to bake at home with easy ingredients. You can serve it plain or with a sweet glaze on top. It is loved by both kids and adults.

Why You’ll Love This Fresh Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake 

This cake isn’t just another fruit dessert—it’s a flavor-packed treat that stands out on any table. The buttermilk adds a soft texture that melts in your mouth while balancing the sweetness of strawberries and the brightness of lemon. 

Every slice of Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake has the right mix of tang and sweetness, making it light but still comforting. And when you top it with a strawberry-lemon glaze, you get a colorful finish that’s both eye-catching and irresistible.

Tools Needed for Baking

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Spatula
• 9×13 inch baking pan or round cake pans
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Zester and juicer
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

Here is ingredients of Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake:

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, mashed (plus extra for topping)

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Optional Toppings:

• Fresh strawberry slices
• Whipped cream
• Mint leaves

Step-by-Step Method For Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake 

1. Preheat 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust it with flour. This ensures your cake will come out perfectly without sticking.

2. Prepare the Strawberries

Wash, hull, and slice 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries. Mash them lightly with a fork so they release their natural juices. Set aside a few slices for topping later.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Set this aside.

4. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter and 2 cups granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy and light in color. This should take about 3–4 minutes.

5. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract until combined.

6. Add Buttermilk

Gradually add 1 cup buttermilk, alternating with the dry ingredients. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently on low speed just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense.

7. Fold in Strawberries and Lemon Zest

Gently fold in the mashed strawberries and zest of 2 lemons using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick and full of bright color.

8. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Prepare the Lemon Glaze

While the cake is cooling, make the glaze by mixing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3–4 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Whisk until smooth and pourable. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar or lemon juice if needed.

10. Glaze the Cake

Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the top. Use a spatula to help spread it if needed.

11. Add Strawberry Topping

Arrange the remaining fresh strawberry slices on top of the glaze for a beautiful, fresh finish. Add optional whipped cream or mint leaves for extra flair.

12. Serve and Enjoy

Slice the cake into squares or rectangles and serve chilled or at room temperature. This cake is perfect with a cup of tea, lemonade, or sparkling water.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (approx. 1 slice):

• Calories: 280
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Sugar: 24g
• Protein: 4g

Storage

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
• Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbaking: Cake turns dry → always check with toothpick
• Skipping Buttermilk: Reduces tenderness → always include it or a substitute
• Overmixing Strawberries: Cake turns mushy → fold gently
• Incorrect Oven Temperature: Cake may collapse → use oven thermometer if needed
• Not Cooling Properly: Glaze melts → cool cake completely before glazing

Pro Tips for the Best Cake

Here is best tips to make Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake perfect:

1. Prep strawberries in advance to save time.
2. Sift flour and sugar for an extra light texture.
3. Room temperature ingredients = smoother batter, more rise.
4. Use fresh lemon juice for a bright, tangy flavor.
5. Let glaze set 20–30 minutes before slicing for a clean cut.

Variations to Try

• Strawberry Shortcake Twist: Add whipped cream layers between cake slices.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
• Citrus Explosion: Mix orange zest with lemon for a unique twist.

For more Dessert Recipes:

• 3 Ingredient Blueberry Cobbler 
• Cannabis Hard Candy Recipe

Conclusion

This Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake is a bright, tangy, and sweet delight that’s perfect for any occasion. Fresh strawberries, zesty lemon, and moist buttermilk combine to make a cake that is soft, fluffy, and irresistible. Follow this guide step-by-step, and you’ll have a show-stopping dessert that everyone will love!

FAQs

1. What does buttermilk do to your cake?
   Buttermilk makes cakes extra moist and tender while adding a subtle tang that enhances flavors like lemon and strawberry.
2. Do lemon cake and strawberries go together?
   Yes, lemon and strawberries create a bright, fresh flavor combination that balances sweet and tangy in cakes perfectly.
3. What are the ingredients in strawberry lemonade?
   Strawberry lemonade typically includes fresh strawberries, lemon juice, water, and sugar for a sweet and tangy refreshing drink.
4. Can you put lemonade in cake mix?
   Yes, adding lemonade to cake mix gives a citrusy, tangy flavor and extra moisture, especially in lemon or berry-flavored cakes.
5. Can I use lemonade instead of baking powder?
   No, lemonade can’t replace baking powder; it adds flavor but won’t provide the leavening needed to make the cake rise properly.

Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake Recipe

Strawberry Lemonade Buttermilk Cake is the perfect dessert for warm days when you crave something fruity, refreshing, and light. This cake blends the sweetness of ripe strawberries with the tart flavor of lemonade, balanced beautifully with creamy buttermilk.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

For the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 cup fresh strawberries chopped

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp strawberry puree
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch cake pan.
• In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs one by one, then mix in vanilla extract.
• Add lemon juice, zest, and buttermilk, stirring until smooth.
• Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
• Gently stir in the chopped strawberries.
• Transfer batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
• Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing.
• To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and lemon juice until silky smooth.
• Drizzle glaze generously over the cooled cake before serving.

Keyword Strawberry lemonade cake