If you have a sweet tooth and love light, fluffy desserts, you are going to adore this Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe. It’s a dreamy, airy cake layered with a luscious cloud-like pudding and whipped cream filling, all accented by fresh, juicy strawberries. Each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and freshness that makes it an unforgettable treat for any celebration or just a special afternoon indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things delightfully simple with pantry staples and fresh berries, making it approachable for any home baker. Each ingredient plays a key role in delivering the cake’s moist texture, cloud-like filling, and vibrant flavor.
- White cake mix: The base of the cake, providing a soft and tender crumb that’s easy to bake.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Adds a creamy richness and helps create that fluffy “cloud” filling.
- Cold milk: Essential for setting up the pudding mixture just right.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to soft peaks, it gives the cake its light and airy texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, fragrant note that complements the strawberries beautifully.
- Fresh strawberries: Provide juicy bursts of flavor and a vibrant color that brightens the cake.
How to Make Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers
Start by preparing the white cake mix according to the package instructions—usually a combo of eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans and bake until golden and springy to the touch. Let the cakes cool completely on a wire rack; this is crucial so the filling stays beautiful when you assemble the cake.
Step 2: Prepare the Pudding Filling
While the cake is cooling, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk in a large bowl. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. This pudding acts as the luxurious base of the cloud filling and creates that irresistible creamy texture.
Step 3: Whip the Cream
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until it forms soft peaks. This whipped cream lightens the pudding, turning it into a dreamy cloud that’s fluffy yet stable enough to hold the layers together.
Step 4: Combine Pudding and Whipped Cream
Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture. Use a soft hand to keep all that airy volume, which is the secret behind the cloud-like texture that defines this cake.
Step 5: Assemble the Cake
Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate and spread half of the cloud filling evenly over the top. Next, layer on the sliced strawberries, creating a fresh and juicy contrast. Add the second cake layer on top and repeat the process with the remaining cream and strawberries. Finish by decorating the top with extra whole or halved strawberries for a gorgeous, inviting look.
Step 6: Chill Before Serving
Pop your assembled cake into the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures each slice holds its shape when cut, giving you that perfect strawberry cloud cake experience.
How to Serve Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Keep it simple and elegant by using whole or halved strawberries as garnishes. Their natural sweetness and vibrant red hue add a lovely visual appeal. For a bit of extra flair, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh mint leaves can elevate the presentation.
Side Dishes
This cake is a star on its own, but pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of extra whipped cream can turn your dessert into a festive celebration. Fresh fruit salad or a glass of sparkling rosé also complement the strawberry notes beautifully for an elevated experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual cake portions in clear glass cups layered with the cloud filling and strawberries for a charming parfait twist. Or assemble mini versions of the strawberry cloud cake in cupcake liners to delight guests with bite-sized treats. The lightness and freshness lend themselves so well to creative plating.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once assembled, keep your Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered with plastic wrap or a cake dome. It’s best enjoyed within 1 to 2 days to fully savor its fresh and airy texture.
Freezing
If you need to store it longer, you can freeze the cake, but be aware that the whipped cream and pudding filling may slightly change texture after thawing. Wrap the cake layers separately in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Assemble the cake fresh after thawing for the best results.
Reheating
This cake is delightful served chilled, so reheating is not necessary or recommended. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off, which makes the flavors shine even more.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries in the Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe all year round?
Absolutely! While fresh strawberries are most flavorful in their peak season, you can use high-quality frozen strawberries that are thawed and drained as a substitute in other months. Just be sure to remove excess moisture to avoid soggy layers.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the white cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix, you can enjoy this dessert without gluten. Just double-check that the other ingredients, like the pudding mix, are also gluten-free to keep it safe.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
You can make the pudding and whipped cream filling a few hours ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to assemble. Just gently fold them together right before layering to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
How do I prevent the cake layers from drying out?
Make sure to cool the cakes thoroughly and keep them wrapped well in plastic wrap if not assembling immediately. For added moisture, brushing the cake layers with a light strawberry syrup before layering helps keep every bite tender and flavorful.
What’s the secret to getting a perfect “cloud” texture in this cake?
The key is the gentle folding of freshly whipped cream into the thickened pudding. This step incorporates air and creates that light, fluffy texture reminiscent of clouds. Overmixing will deflate the mixture, so be soft and patient.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe is truly one of those desserts that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Its combination of fluffy cake, creamy cloud-like filling, and fresh strawberries creates a magical treat that’s perfect for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to try it and share it with your loved ones—it might just become your new favorite go-to dessert.
Print
Strawberry Cloud Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Cloud Cake is a light and fluffy dessert combining classic white cake layers with a creamy, cloud-like filling made from instant vanilla pudding and whipped cream. Fresh sliced strawberries add a refreshing burst of flavor, making this cake perfect for summer gatherings or special occasions. It’s easy to prepare, deliciously moist, and beautifully garnished with extra strawberries.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
Filling
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- Extra whole or halved strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Follow the package instructions for the white cake mix, including the required additional ingredients (usually eggs, oil, and water). Divide the batter evenly between two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans. Bake as directed until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing.
- Make the Pudding Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk vigorously until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. This will form the base of the creamy filling.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, as you want the cream to remain light and fluffy.
- Create the Cloud Filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the thickened pudding mixture using a spatula, combining them without deflating the whipped cream. This will create the light and airy ‘cloud’ texture for the filling.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half of the cloud filling evenly over the top. Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries over the cream. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat with the remaining cloud filling and sliced strawberries.
- Garnish and Chill: Decorate the top of the cake with extra whole or halved strawberries for a pretty presentation. Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set.
Notes
- This cake is best served chilled and eaten within 1–2 days to maintain freshness.
- For a more intense strawberry flavor, brush the cake layers with strawberry syrup before assembling.
- Ensure the heavy cream and bowl are cold before whipping for best results.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best taste and texture.
