strawberry cloud cake Recipe

Imagine a bite that’s as fluffy as cotton candy but bursting with real, juicy fruit flavor: that’s the magic of strawberry cloud cake. It’s one of those desserts that feels impossibly light, with a pretty blush pink hue and a melt-in-your-mouth finish. This cake is so easy to love—the taste, color, and texture make it a perennial favorite for gatherings, or anytime you want to treat yourself to something that’s both whimsical and wonderfully delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this strawberry cloud cake is how only a handful of simple ingredients blend together to create a showstopping treat. Each one has a special job—whether bringing that signature color, a gentle tang, or lovely support to keep every bite dreamy and soft.

• Chopped Strawberries: Fresh, juicy strawberries add vibrant color and a natural sweet-tart flavor that defines this cake.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: This not only lightens the texture but also amps up the moistness and subtle fruit undertones.
• Unflavored Gelatin Powder: The magic ingredient—gelatin sets the cake and gives it that signature cloud-like, airy structure.

How to Make strawberry cloud cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Line the sides and bottom of an 8 or 9-inch square pan with a large sheet of parchment paper. Using just one sheet is key; it lets you lift your finished strawberry cloud cake out perfectly for slicing and serving.

Step 2: Puree the Fruit

Pop your chopped strawberries and applesauce into a blender. Blend on high until the mixture is silky smooth, and you see that gorgeous pink color throughout with no chunks left behind.

Step 3: Incorporate the Gelatin

Pour the puree into a large, heatproof mixing bowl. Evenly sprinkle the gelatin powder across the surface. Whisk until the gelatin is fully mixed in—the puree will get a little thicker and chunkier at this stage, which means you’re right on track.

Step 4: Dissolve the Gelatin Mixture

Set up a double boiler on your stove and gently heat the bowl, stirring until the gelatin is totally dissolved. The mixture should become thinner and more fluid, feeling warm to the touch but never hot or boiling. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Whip to Cloud-Like Perfection

Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the wire whisk. Whip on the highest speed for a full 15 minutes. You’ll see it transform, quadrupling in volume and turning irresistibly fluffy—almost like pink, airy whipped cream. You should see soft peaks when you lift the whisk.

Step 6: Spread and Chill

Gently pour your whipped mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to even out the surface and smooth the top. Chill it in the fridge for at least an hour so the strawberry cloud cake can set to its signature airy, yet sliceable, consistency.

Step 7: Finish, Slice, and Enjoy

Once chilled, keep your strawberry cloud cake in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Before serving, you can dress it up with a swoop of whipped cream frosting or your favorite decorative topping. Use a large, sharp knife for neat slices. The cake is best when served cold.

How to Serve strawberry cloud cake

Garnishes

A garnish takes your strawberry cloud cake from beautiful to breathtaking. A dollop of fresh whipped cream, some extra strawberry slices, or a dusting of powdered sugar are all classic and complement the cake’s airy texture and vibrant flavor. Even a drizzle of melted white chocolate can be absolutely divine.

Side Dishes

Because this dessert is so light, it pairs wonderfully with a cup of strong coffee or a refreshing fruit tea. You can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little bowl of fresh berries on the side for an extra pop of freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful with presentation: try cutting the strawberry cloud cake into cubes for a dessert platter, layering it parfait-style in glasses, or even creating mini layer cakes using cookies as the base. For parties, serve each portion on a bed of strawberry sauce for a restaurant-style flourish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover strawberry cloud cake in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. The cake will keep beautifully for 3 to 4 days, maintaining its cloud-like texture and fresh strawberry flavor.

Freezing

While the texture is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the cake if needed. Slice it first, separate the pieces with parchment, and place them in a sealed container. Thaw in the refrigerator to preserve the airy texture as much as possible.

Reheating

This is a no-bake, chilled dessert, so there’s no need to reheat—simply enjoy straight from the fridge for maximum fluffiness and refreshing coolness.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Just thaw the strawberries well and drain any excess liquid before blending to ensure the best texture and vibrant flavor in your strawberry cloud cake.

Is it possible to make the cake vegetarian or vegan?

Standard gelatin is not vegetarian, but you can experiment with agar-agar as an alternative. Substitute it according to the package directions and be sure to adjust the setting time, as results may vary.

Why is my strawberry cloud cake not setting properly?

This usually happens if the gelatin wasn’t fully dissolved or the mixture got too hot. Make sure to dissolve the gelatin gently over the double boiler and avoid letting the mixture boil, as this can affect its thickening ability.

Can I add more sugar for extra sweetness?

You can! This recipe is lightly sweet from the strawberries and applesauce, but if you prefer a sweeter cloud, simply add a couple of tablespoons of sugar to the puree before heating.

How do I cut the cake cleanly for serving?

Use a large, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between slices. This way, each piece of your strawberry cloud cake will come out perfectly neat, with the airy layers staying beautifully intact.

Final Thoughts

There’s something wonderfully special about serving a dessert as memorable as strawberry cloud cake. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite—go ahead and give it a try, and let yourself (and your guests) float away on a fluffy, fruity cloud!

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