Strawberry-Filled Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A strawberry-filled wedding cake is a perfect choice for a warm-weather wedding. This fruit is a great way to add a light and bright flavour to your cake. You can incorporate strawberries in many ways, such as using strawberry-flavoured cake, strawberry jam filling, fresh sliced strawberries, or even using them as a decoration on the exterior of the cake.

Strawberries can be used to create a charming pink hue for your wedding cake. You can also add a few drops of red food colouring to the frosting to enhance the pink colour.

- Use fresh strawberries instead of frozen ones as they will not work as well or taste as good.

- Make a strawberry reduction by blending the strawberries and then simmering them with sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt until it becomes a thick paste. This reduction can be used in the cake batter and frosting.

- Use a food scale to weigh your ingredients instead of measuring cups for better accuracy.

- If you want a very fluffy strawberry cake, you can try using cake flour instead of all-purpose flour.

- Create a cake dam by piping a ring of frosting around the edge of the cake layer before adding the strawberry filling to prevent it from coming out of the sides.

- Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to help it keep its shape when cutting.

How to make a strawberry reduction for the cake batter

To make a strawberry reduction for your wedding cake batter, start by preparing your strawberries. If you're using fresh strawberries, you'll need to chop them up, while frozen strawberries can be defrosted and then blended. Place your strawberries in a blender and pulse until you have a smooth puree.

Next, you'll want to cook the strawberry puree to reduce it. Add your blended strawberries to a saucepan along with some sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until the mixture has thickened and reduced by half. This process can take anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes, so be patient and stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Once your strawberry reduction has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool before using it in your cake batter. You can also make this reduction ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to 6 months.

Now, you're ready to make your strawberry-filled wedding cake! For a true strawberry flavor, be sure to use this reduction in your cake batter, as well as in your frosting and filling. Happy baking and congratulations on your wedding!

How to make a strawberry buttercream

To make a strawberry buttercream, you'll need to make a strawberry reduction first. This reduction will be used in both the cake batter and the buttercream frosting.

Strawberry Reduction:

Place your thawed strawberries into a blender and pulse a few times until they are liquid. You can use either fresh or frozen strawberries for this recipe. Pour the blended strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly reduce until the berries begin to break up and the mixture has reduced and looks like a thick paste. This can take a while—up to an hour. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent burning. You should end up with about 1 cup of thick strawberry reduction. Transfer it to another container and let it cool before use.

Strawberry Buttercream:

Place pasteurized egg whites and powdered sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add the whisk attachment and combine the ingredients on low, then whip on high for 5 minutes. You cannot use fresh egg whites for this buttercream. Add in your softened butter in chunks and whip on high for 8-10 minutes until it's very white, light, and shiny. It may look curdled and yellow at first, but keep whipping. Add in the strawberry reduction, salt, and vanilla extract, and continue whipping until incorporated.

Optional: Switch to a paddle attachment and mix on low for 15-20 minutes to make the buttercream very smooth and remove air bubbles.

Tips:

• If your buttercream looks curdled, it's too cold. Take out ½ cup of buttercream and melt it in the microwave until it's just barely melted. Pour it back into your whisking buttercream and it will become creamy.
• Make sure all your ingredients (egg whites, milk, butter, reduction) are room temperature or a little warm so that your batter doesn't curdle.
• I use Americolor electric pink food coloring to get my beautiful pink color. It may seem like cheating, but if you don't add it, the color from the strawberries will bake out and your cake will turn out gray.
• You must use egg whites for this recipe. The yellow from the egg could turn the inside of your cake peach.

How to make a strawberry compote for the filling

Making a strawberry compote is a simple process that will take no time at all. It is a great way to add a burst of flavour to your wedding cake and impress your guests.

To make a strawberry compote, you will need the following ingredients:

• Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• Granulated white sugar
• Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• Cornstarch
• Salt (optional)

You will also need a medium-sized saucepan, a whisk, and some food-safe plastic wrap.

• Chop your strawberries into small pieces. If you are using frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw them first and drain any excess liquid.
• Place the chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt (if using) into the saucepan. Stir to combine.
• Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it comes to a light simmer.
• In a separate small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and a small amount of water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
• Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan and continue to cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture returns to a light simmer. Allow it to simmer for about one minute to thicken.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
• Transfer the cooled strawberry compote to a medium bowl and cover it with food-safe plastic wrap. Press the wrap down onto the surface of the compote to prevent a thick film from forming.
• Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill the compote for at least 12 hours or overnight. This step is crucial as it allows the compote to thicken further and develop more flavour.

Your strawberry compote is now ready to be used as a filling for your wedding cake! It will add a beautiful pop of colour and a delicious, sweet-tart flavour to your cake.

How to layer and fill the cake

Layering and filling a cake is a delicate art, but with a few simple steps, you can achieve a beautiful and delicious strawberry-filled wedding cake. Here's a detailed guide on how to layer and fill your cake:

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layers

Before you begin layering, ensure your cake layers are completely cooled. If your cake is still warm, it's best to let it cool completely to avoid melting the filling or frosting. Place your cake layers on a flat surface, and if you're using a frozen cake, let it thaw before proceeding.

Step 2: Create a Dam

To prevent the strawberry filling from leaking out of the sides of your cake, it's essential to create a dam using frosting. Pipe a ring of frosting around the outer edge of each cake layer. This will act as a barrier and keep the filling contained. You can use a piping bag or a spatula to create this dam, ensuring it's at least 2-3 rings high to provide ample support.

Step 3: Add the Strawberry Filling

Now, it's time to add the star of the show—the strawberry filling! Spoon the prepared strawberry filling onto the center of each cake layer, being careful not to overfill. You want to fill it generously but not excessively, as too much filling can cause a mess. Smooth the filling with an offset spatula to ensure an even distribution.

Step 4: Stack the Cake Layers

Once you've filled the cake layers, it's time to stack them carefully. Place one layer on top of the other, ensuring they are aligned properly. Gently press down on the top layer to secure it in place and create a stable base for the next tier, if you're creating a multi-tiered wedding cake.

Step 5: Apply a Crumb Coat

After stacking the filled layers, it's a good idea to apply a crumb coat. This will seal in the crumbs and create a smooth base for the final coat of frosting. Apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake, including the sides and top. This doesn't have to be perfect, as it will be covered by the final coat of frosting.

Step 6: Final Frosting and Decorations

Now, it's time for the final coat of frosting! Apply a generous amount of frosting to the cake, smoothing it out with an offset spatula to create a sleek and elegant finish. Once the cake is completely frosted, you can add your choice of decorations. Fresh strawberries, edible flowers, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar can enhance the beauty of your strawberry-filled wedding cake.

Step 7: Refrigerate and Serve

After you've finished layering, filling, and decorating your cake, it's important to let it set. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the frosting to firm up and the flavors to meld. Remove the cake from the refrigerator about 1-3 hours before serving to bring it back to room temperature, as this cake has the best texture when served at room temperature.

How to decorate the cake

Now for the fun part: decorating your strawberry-filled wedding cake!

Firstly, decide whether you want to decorate the exterior of your cake with strawberries. If so, select the ripest, most vibrant strawberries you can find. You can place them on top of the cake, or artfully arrange them around the sides. You could even try a strawberry drip, where you drizzle a strawberry reduction on top of the cake for a show-stopping effect.

If you want to add a pop of colour, add a few drops of red food colouring to the frosting to make it a lovely pink shade. You could also tint the buttercream a pastel pink to hint at the strawberry flavour within.

Fresh blooms are a classic way to decorate a wedding cake. Opt for flowers that complement the colour scheme of your wedding. You could even add a cascade of blooms to the exterior of the cake for a truly romantic look.

For a whimsical touch, add fresh blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries alongside the strawberries. Or, for a more elegant affair, decorate the cake with edible flowers and gold leaf.

Finally, don't forget the cake topper! Whether it's a traditional bride and groom figurine or a personalised monogram, the topper will add the perfect finishing touch to your strawberry-filled wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions