Grab some spoons and get ready to dive into this irresistible Strawberry Spoon Cake. Sweet macerated strawberries on top of rich, buttery vanilla cake, paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream - it's a dessert dream come true.
Strawberry Spoon Cake combines the best of both worlds, with the soft, cake-like texture and the fruity, gooey goodness of a cobbler. It's a delicious fusion of two beloved desserts that's sure to satisfy any sweet craving.
Looking for more strawberry treats, then you might enjoy trying my Strawberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake and Strawberry Apple Pie.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Strawberry Cobbler
- Easy to make- This strawberry cobbler is wonderfully simple to prepare. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a delicious dessert that's perfect for any occasion.
- Perfect for a crowd- This fantastic dessert and all its comforting flavors are universally loved. Whether you're hosting a family gathering, a potluck, or a backyard barbecue, strawberry cobbler is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Strawberry flavor- This dessert is a great way to showcase strawberries when they're in season. Bursting with natural sweetness and intense flavor of fresh strawberries.
- Vanilla butter cake- Made with plenty of butter ensures a rich, moist texture, while real vanilla adds a fragrant and authentic flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
What Is Strawberry Spoon Cake?
A spoon cake is a type of cake served with a spoon due to its soft and moist texture. The sweet and buttery cake batter serves as the base, while the macerated strawberries, when baked, meld into the cake, forming a juicy and jammy strawberry sauce. It's a delightful dessert that's both comforting and indulgent.
With no mixer required and a quick assembly time, spoon cake is a fantastic option for a fuss-free dessert that still delivers on flavor and satisfaction.
Ingredient Notes
Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Unsalted butter- Allow the butter to melt in the oven before adding the cake batter.
- Sugar- I use white granulated sugar in both the cake batter and for the strawberries. It helps to sweeten the cake batter and promotes the release of juices from the strawberries, creating a flavorful syrup for the spoon cake.
- Vanilla- I use vanilla bean paste for its rich and intense vanilla flavoring.
- All-purpose flour- Using all-purpose flour yields a cake that has a tender crumb and sufficient structure.
- Baking powder- Used to help the cake rise by creating bubbles in the batter, which expand during baking, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
- Milk- Whole milk has a higher fat content which contributes to a richer and more moist texture.
- Strawberries- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor. It's ideal to choose ones that are vibrant in color, firm, and free from signs of bruising or mold.
Ingredient Substitutions
- This spoon cake is such a versatile and adaptable recipe. Using different berries is a great way to customize this simple dessert. Whether it's raspberries, blueberries or a combination of berries.
- For the best results, I use whole milk. However, if you only have 2% milk on hand, it can still work well in the recipe. While the the texture and richness may be slightly different, the cake should still turn out delicious.
- Want to make this gluten free, try using a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Just be sure to use a gluten-free flour blend that is specifically designed for baking.
- You can substitute vanilla bean paste for vanilla extract. However, keep in mind that the vanilla bean paste is more concentrated and contains actual vanilla seeds.
Step By Step Instructions
Let's begin making this vanilla spoon cake with strawberries.
STEP 1: Macerate the strawberries. Place the strawberries in a large bowl and sprinkle them with ¼ cup of sugar. Then, let them macerate for 10 minutes.
STEP 2: Melt the butter. Add the butter to an 8x8 baking pan and place it in a preheated 350℉ oven until the butter is melted, about 10 minutes.
STEP 3: Combine dry ingredients. Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and remaining sugar.
STEP 4: Add wet ingredients. Stir in the milk and vanilla bean paste, then mix just until combined.
STEP 5: Pour. Once the butter melts, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Then, pour the batter over the melted butter.
STEP 6. Add the strawberries. Spoon the strawberries and their juices evenly over the cake batter.
STEP 7: Bake. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the cake is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or vanilla whipped cream.
Expert Baking Tips
If you do not have a baking dish, you can use a cast iron skillet. Just make sure the skillet is well-seasoned and oven-safe, and adjust the baking time as needed based on the skillet's size and material.
To impart a lovely sheen, I bush a small amount of strawberry jam on top of the strawberries once the cake is done baking.
Let the spoon cake cool for a minimum of 15 minutes. Not only does it allow the strawberry juices to thicken slightly, but it also enhances the overall texture and flavor of the dessert.
Although this spoon cake tastes great on it's on, don't forget the ice cream. The creamy and slightly sweet flavor of the vanilla ice cream complements the warm and fruity spoon cake perfectly, creating a delicious contrast of temperatures and textures.
FAQ
No, I do not recommend using frozen strawberries. Fresh strawberries have a firmer texture and release less liquid than frozen ones. Using frozen strawberries can lead to excess moisture in the cake, potentially resulting in a soggy texture.
Yes, you can! Although I have not tested this cake with gluten-free flour, you can swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free alternative so everyone can enjoy this delicious spoon cake. It's a simple modification that still yields a fantastic result.
Serve the spoon cake warm straight from the oven or let the cake cool slightly at room temperature for a slightly firmer texture. As mentioned earlier, serve the spoon cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alternatively, top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream for a lighter option.
You can get creative with the fruit - blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, and peaches are all great options. Feel free to mix and match different fruits according to your preferences and what's in season.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Here are some helpful kitchen tools you might find useful for making this spoon cake.
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Rubber spatula
- Ice cream scoop
Serving and Freezing
Storing the strawberry spoon cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator is the best way to maintain its freshness and flavor. The cake should stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Freezing this leftover spoon cake is a great way to extend its shelf life. However, it's important to note that the texture of the cake may change slightly when thawed and reheated.
More Strawberry Recipes To Try
Try These Fruit Recipes Too!
- Churro Chips with Fruit Salsa
- Peanut Butter Acai Bowl
- Starbucks Mango Dragon Fruit Lemonade
- Raspberry Crumble Cookies
- Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
After trying out this recipe, I'd love to hear your feedback. Please consider leaving a star review on the recipe card below. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram and follow me on Pinterest for more mouthwatering recipes. Your support is greatly appreciated!
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Spoon Cake
Ingredients
- 5 cups Fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup White granulated sugar divided
- ½ cup Unsalted butter
- 1 ¼ All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 cup Whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Place the strawberries in a large bowl and sprinkle them with ¼ cup of sugar. Then, let them macerate for 10 minutes.
- Add the butter to an 8x8 baking pan and place it in a preheated 350℉ oven until the butter is melted, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and remaining sugar.
- Stir in the milk and vanilla extract, then mix just until combined.
- Once the butter melts, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Then, pour the batter over the melted butter.
- Spoon the strawberries and their juices evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until the cake is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or vanilla whipped cream.
Leave a Reply