This stunning irresistible ombre strawberry cake recipe is perfect for celebrating Mother’s Day, a baby shower, or honoring cancer survivors—and it’s a delightful treat that anyone can create!
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the special women in your life. What better way to show your love and appreciation than with a stunning Ombre Mother’s Day Strawberry Cake?
This show-stopping cake is a gorgeous centerpiece for any celebration, and the best part? It’s easier to make than you might think! No fancy decorating skills are needed! Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day, a baby shower, breast cancer awareness, or Valentine’s Day, this lovely dessert will surely impress. Let’s get started!
What Ingredients Will I Need For This Ombre Strawberry Cake Recipe?
Here is what you need to make this beautiful Ombre Mother’s Day Strawberry Cake Recipe!
For the Cake:
- All-Purpose Flour
- Butter, melted
- Milk, room temperature
- Egg Whites
- Strawberry Extract
- Vanilla Extract
- Cake Flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Salt
For the Frosting and Filling:
- Unsalted Butter, softened but still cool
- Red Liquid Food Coloring or Wilton paste
- Strawberry Jam or Preserves
Magic Cake Release: The Secret to Perfectly Baked Cakes
Say goodbye to stuck cakes forever! With this simple Magic Cake Release method, your cakes will slide out effortlessly every time. Here’s how:
- Mix equal parts melted butter and flour (or cocoa powder for chocolate cakes) in a small bowl Usually 2-3 tablespoons for each will do.
- Brush the paste onto every corner of your baking pan.
- Pour in your batter, bake, and enjoy a flawless release—this is perfect for bundt cakes too!
Now, let’s put it to use. With your round cake pans prepped and the oven preheating, it’s time to mix up a silky white cake batter. Combine the liquid ingredients and dry ingredients in separate bowls, then beat softened butter into the dry mix until it resembles sand (see second image below). This unorthodox step gives the cake its light, velvety texture (thank science!).
Add the rest of the liquid ingredients, including strawberry flavor, to complete the batter!
This delicious strawberry Jello cake is the perfect summer dessert! Made with a white cake mix and strawberry Jello, this dessert is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. It is quick and easy and a moist cake with a hint of strawberries and cream!
Years ago our friend Sarah gave us her family recipe for Lemon Jello Cake (I know you’re supposed to write, Jell-O, but no one actually follows that rule, right??) and it’s been one of the most popular recipes on our site year after year. We’ve experimented with Pineapple Crush Jello cake, orange Jello cake, strawberry lemonade jello cake, even a festive 4th of July Jello cake and now a strawberries and cream jello cake!
It’s important to use a white cake mix and strawberry jello for this recipe as it will tone down the strawberry flavor and allow you to taste that “strawberries n creme” thing.
What Does Adding Jello to Cake Do?
There are several reasons to add Jello to a cake. Jello enhances the flavor and color of a cake. It also helps the cake be more moist and dense in texture. I highly recommend it!
Ingredients for Strawberry Jello Cake
I hope you’re sitting down because you aren’t going to believe that you only need 7 ingredients to make this jello cake recipe! Keep in mind that when you make the glaze, you have a few different options. I’ll explain that more below. Here is what you will need:
CAKE
- White Cake Mix: A vanilla cake mix is our preferred flavor, but yellow works fine too. The color will just be a little more orange with a yellow cake mix. We use Duncan Hines brand.
- NOTE: You will use just the box cake mix powder when making the batter for this cake. You will not follow the directions for making the cake on the box.
- Eggs: Gives the cake structure and richness.
- Water: Adds needed moisture to create a perfectly moist cake.
- Oil: Canola oil or vegetable oil both work great and don’t alter the flavor of the cake while still keeping it moist and fabulous.
- Strawberry Jello: You just need the small box (3 oz) and you will only be using the jello powder. Don’t use the sugar free jello. It doesn’t set up the same.
ICING
- Heavy Cream: Helps bind the icing together and adds richness to the flavor and texture. Save some extra cream to whip up and spread on top of the cake after cooling.
- Powdered Sugar: Acts as the base for the icing and provides all the sweetness.
The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end