This Strawberry Cake and Cheesecake Is Pure Dessert Magic

If you have been looking for the best strawberry cake and cheesecake recipe, this is the one to save. This layered dessert combines soft strawberry cake, a creamy cheesecake center, and tangy frosting for a finish that looks impressive but is very doable at home. If you love the idea of strawberry cake and cheesecake in one slice, this recipe gives you the best of both worlds without making the process overly complicated.

This cake is perfect for birthdays, spring parties, baby showers, and holidays because it tastes rich, fresh, and bakery-style. It also matches what people want when they search for cheesecake cake recipe, cheesecake cake, cake and cheesecake layered, or a recipe for strawberry shortcake cheesecake cake. For another elegant layered dessert, see our tiramisu cheesecake.

Why This Strawberry Cake and Cheesecake Works

A good strawberry cake and cheesecake should feel balanced, not heavy. Many recipes focus too much on the cheesecake and forget the cake layers, or they make the cake pretty but bland. This version works because every layer has a clear job.

• The cheesecake layer is creamy and smooth
• The strawberry cake layers stay moist and tender
• The frosting adds tang without becoming too sweet
• The finished cake chills well and slices cleanly

If you sometimes bake with shortcuts, this recipe can also become a cheesecake cake recipe with cake mix. You can swap the homemade cake layers for a doctored strawberry or vanilla mix. If you want a reliable shortcut base, use our French vanilla cake mix recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cheesecake layer

• 24 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs

For the strawberry cake layers

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract, optional

For the frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream if needed

If you want a lighter topping, you can borrow ideas from our cream cheese glaze. If you want a cleaner finish on the outside, our how to frost a cake guide will help.

How to Make Strawberry Cake and Cheesecake

1. Make the cheesecake layer

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Beat the cream cheese until completely smooth, then mix in the sugar and flour. Add the sour cream and vanilla, then the eggs one at a time on low speed. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly. Cool fully, then chill until firm.

2. Bake the strawberry cake layers

Raise the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in one bowl. In a second bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream, strawberry puree, milk, vanilla, and optional strawberry extract. Fold in the dry ingredients just until combined. Divide between pans and bake for 22 to 26 minutes. Cool completely.

3. Make the frosting

Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the vanilla. If the frosting feels too thick, add a little heavy cream. For strawberry cake and cheesecake, the frosting should be thick enough to hold the layers but soft enough to spread easily.

4. Assemble the cake

Place one strawberry cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting over it. Add the chilled cheesecake layer on top, then frost lightly again. Place the final cake layer over the cheesecake and frost the top and sides. Chill the cake for at least 1 hour before slicing.

That simple layering method is what makes this cheesecake cake recipe feel special. You get a true cheesecake cake with clear layers and a clean finish instead of a messy stack.

Pro Tips for the Best Strawberry Cake and Cheesecake

If you want your strawberry cake and cheesecake to come out better than competing recipes, focus on these details:

• Use room temperature cream cheese, butter, and eggs
• Do not overmix the cheesecake after adding eggs
• Chill the cheesecake before assembling the cake
• Use strawberry puree for better flavor than artificial syrup
• Refrigerate the finished cake before serving for cleaner slices

If you want a celebration-style finish, use our how to make a birthday cake guide for leveling and decorating tips.

Variations and Shortcut Ideas

This strawberry cake and cheesecake recipe is flexible. If you want a more casual recipe for strawberry shortcake cheesecake cake, add crushed vanilla sandwich cookies around the outside and top the cake with fresh strawberries.

If you want a quicker version, turn it into a cheesecake cake recipe with cake mix by using a boxed strawberry cake mix for the cake layers while keeping the cheesecake homemade. That shortcut saves time without losing the layered dessert effect.

If you love dramatic desserts, our copycat Carvel ice cream cake shows another fun way to make cake and cheesecake layered-style desserts feel party-ready.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store strawberry cake and cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, slice it cold and let each slice sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

You can make the cheesecake layer one day ahead and bake the cake layers the next day. Then assemble everything once fully cooled. That make-ahead approach keeps this strawberry cake and cheesecake easy, even for special occasions.

Final Thoughts

This strawberry cake and cheesecake recipe is one of the best choices when you want a dessert that feels more impressive than difficult. It gives you soft cake layers, a creamy cheesecake center, and balanced frosting in one show-stopping slice.

If you enjoy rich cheesecake desserts, try our chocolate chip cheesecake. And if you want a strong shortcut base for future cakes, keep our French vanilla cake mix recipe bookmarked.

Strawberry Cake and Cheesecake Recipe

This strawberry cake and cheesecake recipe combines soft strawberry cake layers, a creamy cheesecake center, and tangy cream cheese frosting for a beautiful layered dessert that tastes bakery-style but is easy to make at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

2 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 620

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cheesecake Layer

• 24 oz full-fat cream cheese softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs

For the Strawberry Cake Layers

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract optional

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream if needed for texture

Equipment

• 1 9-inch Springform Pan for the cheesecake layer
• 2 9-inch round cake pans for the strawberry cake layers
• 1 Electric mixer stand mixer or hand mixer
• 1 Mixing Bowls large and medium
• 1 Offset spatula for frosting and assembly
• 1 Wire rack for cooling the cake layers

Method

 

Make the Cheesecake Layer

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth. Add the granulated sugar and flour, then mix until combined.
3. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time on low speed, mixing just until each egg disappears into the batter.
4. Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still has a slight jiggle.
6. Let the cheesecake cool completely, then chill until firm for at least 2 hours.

Bake the Strawberry Cake Layers

1. Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Mix in the sour cream, strawberry puree, milk, vanilla extract, and optional strawberry extract.
6. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
8. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool the cake layers in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Frosting

1. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the vanilla extract.
3. If needed, add 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream until the frosting is thick but spreadable.

Assemble the Cake

1. Place one strawberry cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top.
2. Carefully place the chilled cheesecake layer on top. Spread another thin layer of frosting over the cheesecake.
3. Add the second strawberry cake layer on top.
4. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
5. Chill the assembled cake for at least 1 hour before slicing for cleaner layers.
6. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired, then slice and serve.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese, butter, and eggs for the smoothest texture.

Do not overmix the cheesecake batter after adding the eggs, or the cheesecake may crack. Chill the cheesecake layer before assembling the cake so the layers stay neat.

For a shortcut version, you can use a boxed strawberry cake mix and keep the cheesecake layer homemade. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.