Strawberry Pineapple Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Summer is the perfect time for light and refreshing desserts, and this Strawberry Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is just that. This cake is a delicious combination of sweet strawberries and tangy pineapples, and the cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of richness to the dessert. If you're looking for a dessert that's easy to make, looks impressive, and tastes amazing, this is the recipe for you.
Ingredients
To make this delicious cake, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. This will help them mix together more easily and will yield a better result.
Instructions
Follow these steps to create your Strawberry Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a small bowl, combine the milk, pineapple juice, and vanilla extract.
- Add the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter mixture, alternating between the two and mixing well after each addition.
- Fold in the diced strawberries and pineapples.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- To make the cream cheese frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Place one of the cake layers on a cake plate or serving dish. Spread a layer of frosting on top of the cake. Add the second cake layer and spread frosting on top of that layer as well as the sides of the cake.
- Decorate the cake with fresh strawberries and pineapples, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to help you make the most of your Strawberry Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:
- To make the cake even more moist and flavorful, brush the layers with pineapple juice or a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water.
- You can use canned pineapple if fresh pineapples are not available.
- You can also use frozen strawberries if fresh strawberries are not available.
- For an extra kick of flavor, add a teaspoon of grated ginger to the cake batter.
- If you're short on time, you can use a boxed cake mix and add fresh strawberries and pineapples to the batter.
- If you want to make this cake ahead of time, you can bake the cake layers and make the frosting up to two days in advance. Store the cake layers in an airtight container at room temperature and the frosting in the refrigerator. When you're ready to assemble the cake, bring the frosting to room temperature and frost the cake as directed.
Conclusion
This Strawberry Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delicious and refreshing dessert that's perfect for summer. With its combination of sweet strawberries, tangy pineapples, and rich cream cheese frosting, it's sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is easy to make and will impress your family and friends. Give it a try and see for yourself!