🍓 Strawberry Vanilla Cream Layer Cake with Chocolate Drizzle

There’s nothing quite like a homemade Strawberry Vanilla Cream Layer Cake—soft vanilla sponge, silky pastry cream, sweet strawberry filling, fluffy whipped cream, and a rich chocolate drizzle. This elegant dessert is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, afternoon tea, or whenever you're craving a bakery-style treat made from scratch.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Vanilla Sponge Cake

• 4 large eggs

• 120 g granulated sugar

• 120 g cake flour

• 30 g unsalted butter, melted

• 30 ml whole milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

For the Vanilla Pastry Cream

• 500 ml whole milk

• 4 egg yolks

• 120 g sugar

• 40 g cornstarch

• 30 g butter

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Frosting

• 300 ml heavy whipping cream

• 40 g powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Strawberry Filling

• 300 g fresh strawberries, diced

• 60 g strawberry jam

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Chocolate Ganache

• 120 g dark chocolate

• 80 ml heavy cream

Simple Syrup

• 80 ml water

• 50 g sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Decoration

• Fresh strawberries

• White chocolate curls (optional)

• Powdered sugar

• Fresh mint or edible flowers (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1 – Bake the Sponge Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F).

2. Beat the eggs and sugar for 8–10 minutes until pale, thick, and tripled in volume.

3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture.

5. Combine the melted butter, milk, and vanilla, then gently fold into the batter.

6. Pour into an 8-inch (20 cm) cake pan.

7. Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Let the cake cool completely before slicing it into two even layers.

Step 2 – Make the Pastry Cream

1. Heat the milk until steaming but not boiling.

2. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.

3. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.

4. Return everything to the saucepan.

5. Cook over medium heat until thick and smooth.

6. Remove from the heat.

7. Stir in the butter and vanilla.

8. Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface and chill completely.

Step 3 – Prepare the Whipped Cream

Beat together:

• Heavy cream

• Powdered sugar

• Vanilla

until medium peaks form.

Fold half of the whipped cream into the chilled pastry cream to create an extra-light filling.

Step 4 – Prepare the Strawberry Filling

Mix:

• Fresh diced strawberries

• Strawberry jam

• Lemon juice

Allow the mixture to rest for 15 minutes.

🍰 Assemble the Cake

Bottom Layer

• Brush the sponge with simple syrup.

• Spread a thick layer of vanilla cream.

• Add the strawberry filling evenly.

Top Layer

• Place the second sponge layer on top.

• Brush again with syrup.

• Cover the cake with whipped cream.

• Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

🍫 Make the Chocolate Ganache

1. Heat the cream until just simmering.

2. Pour over the chopped chocolate.

3. Let sit for 2 minutes.

4. Stir until smooth and glossy.

5. Cool slightly before drizzling over the chilled cake.

✨ Decorate

Finish your cake with:

• Fresh strawberries

• Chocolate drizzle

• White chocolate curls

• Powdered sugar

• Edible flowers or fresh mint

❄️ Chill

Refrigerate the cake for 4–6 hours, or overnight for the cleanest slices and the best flavor.

💡 Tips

• Use room-temperature eggs for a lighter sponge.

• Chill the pastry cream completely before assembling.

• Do not overwhip the cream.

• Fresh strawberries provide the brightest flavor and best texture.

• Overnight chilling allows the layers to set beautifully.

🍓 The Result

Every slice delivers:

• Soft and airy vanilla sponge

• Rich, silky vanilla pastry cream

• Fresh strawberry filling

• Light whipped cream frosting

• Smooth chocolate ganache

• A beautiful bakery-style presentation that's perfect for any special occasion.