Description
This Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake is a vibrant and refreshing summer dessert featuring layers of moist cake drenched in strawberry lemonade syrup, generously frosted with tangy lemon buttercream, and adorned with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, and optional mint leaves for a bright, fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Lemon Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup (227g) softened butter
- 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
For Assembly
- Strawberry lemonade syrup, about 1/2 cup
- Fresh strawberries, halved, 1 cup
- Lemon slices, thinly sliced, for garnish
- Mint leaves (optional), a handful
Instructions
- Beat Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until it becomes creamy and smooth.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to avoid dust clouds, then increase to medium speed and beat until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
- Mix Lemon Flavor: Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to the butter-sugar mixture, continuing to mix until everything is fully incorporated. Adjust frosting consistency by adding heavy cream one tablespoon at a time if it’s too thick.
- Layer Cake Base: After the cake layers have fully cooled, place the first cake layer onto a serving plate or cake stand.
- Drizzle Syrup: Generously drizzle strawberry lemonade syrup over the top of the first cake layer to infuse moisture and flavor.
- Spread Frosting: Spread a layer of lemon buttercream frosting evenly over the syrup-covered cake layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the syrup drizzle and frosting spread with the second cake layer, then place the third cake layer on top.
- Frost the Cake: Use the remaining lemon buttercream frosting to cover the top and sides of the entire cake, smoothing it out for a clean finish.
- Garnish: Decorate the frosted cake with halved fresh strawberries, thin lemon slices, and optionally mint leaves for a fresh, colorful presentation.
Notes
- Make sure cake layers are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
- You can adjust the tartness of the frosting by altering the amount of lemon juice and zest.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in the garnish and syrup.
- Keep the cake refrigerated if not serving immediately to maintain freshness.
