Putting fresh strawberries on top of cake is not only possible, but a delicious way to decorate and enhance the flavor of cakes. The sweet juiciness of fresh strawberries complements the richness of cake perfectly. As long as a few considerations are made when preparing the strawberries and assembling the cake, they can make a beautiful and tasty cake topping.
Should You Wash Strawberries Before Putting Them on Cake?
Yes, it is highly recommended to wash strawberries before putting them on top of a cake. Washing removes any residual dirt, debris or pesticides that may be on the surface of the berries. It also rinses away any mold spores that could spread to the cake.
Run fresh strawberries under cool running water and gently rub each one to dislodge any grime. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels before placing them on the cake so excess water does not make the frosting or cake soggy.
Should You Hull the Strawberries First?
Hulling, or removing the green stems and leaves from strawberries, is an aesthetic choice before placing them on cake. Some bakers like to leave strawberries whole with stems intact for a decorative touch. Others prefer to hull them for a cleaner, tidier look.
If you do decide to hull the berries, use a paring knife or small sharp tool to carefully dig out the stem, leaves and core from the top without cutting too far into the fruit. Rotate the berry as you dig out the center. Discard the greens when done.
Should the Cake be Frosted First?
Yes, it is best to frost the entire cake first before adding fresh strawberries on top. The strawberries will adhere better to a layer of frosting than bare cake. The frosting also prevents the juicy berries from soaking into the cake layers.
Frosting helps seal in moisture and gives the strawberries something to hold onto. Apply a crumb coat of frosting first, then chill it to firm up. Next, apply your final layer of frosting over the crumb coat before decorating with berries.
Should You Cut the Strawberries Before Putting Them on Cake?
You can place strawberries on cake whole, sliced or diced – it’s up to your preference! Here are some ways to cut strawberries for cake decoration:
- Leave whole for a simple, elegant look. The green caps can be left on too.
- Slice large berries in half or quarters to lie flat and cover more surface area.
- Thinly slice berried horizontally for fanned or layered effects.
- Dice into small pieces to scatter over frosting.
Make sure any cut surfaces are facing up towards the eye so they are displayed, not hidden against the cake.
Should You Dip the Berries in Anything Before Topping Cake?
For added flavor and moisture, you can dip strawberries in liquors, juices or sauces before placing them on cakes. Here are some dipping ideas:
- Melt chocolate and dip strawberry tips for a indulgent treat.
- Brush with honey or drizzle with melted white chocolate.
- Quickly dip in orange juice, lemonade, coffee or other flavored liquids.
- Coat berries in sugars for a sweet crunch.
Let any wet dipped berries rest on a baking sheet briefly so the liquid sets before arranging them on the cake. Otherwise, they may slip and slide.
What is the Best Way to Arrange Strawberries on Cake?
Some pretty and effective ways to decorate cakes with fresh strawberries include:
- Cake Borders – Place strawberries around the top edge or base of cake for a border.
- Single Layer – Lie berries flat, either whole or sliced, in a single layer covering the top of the cake.
- Fanned – Slice a few berries thinly and fan out slices in a pattern.
- Flowers – Cut small pieces and place in circle “flowers” on top of cake.
- Lines – Arrange whole berries in lines radiating from the center for a fun effect.
- Letters/Words – Use sliced berries to spell out words, names or messages on the cake top.
You can also simply scatter whole, halved or chopped strawberries in a random, artful pattern over the frosting.
How Far in Advance Can You Prepare Strawberry Topped Cakes?
For best flavor and texture, strawberry topped cakes are best assembled only a few hours before serving. However, you can prep the components in advance:
- Bake cake layers, wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 2 days.
- Make frosting, cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.
- Wash and prep strawberries. Store in a bowl or pan covered with plastic wrap, uncut, for up to 1 day.
When ready to serve, frost the chilled cake, arrange fresh strawberries on top and serve within 4 hours for optimal quality.
For longer storage, frosted cakes can be refrigerated 1-2 days. Let refrigerated cakes come to room temperature before serving so the frosting softens.
Do Strawberries Change or Bleed Color on Cakes?
Fresh strawberries can occasionally bleed or leach red juicy color onto surrounding cake or frosting, especially if they sit for too long. To help prevent this:
- Use firmer, slightly underripe berries that are less juicy.
- Pat berries very dry after washing.
- Brush berries with lemon juice to seal in moisture and color.
- Refrigerate the cake to set any released juices.
A bit of natural berry staining won’t affect flavor at all. But for minimally messy slices, decorate cakes with strawberries as close to serving as possible.
Do Strawberries Change the Taste of Cakes?
Yes, fresh strawberries can infuse more strawberry flavor into cakes, depending on preparation. Berries layered between cake rounds or crushed into frosting will impart more flavor than simply topping a cake.
Using strawberry puree rather than whole berries is a great way to maximize strawberry taste without excess moisture. Brush layers of cake with puree before stacking and frosting.
You can also make strawberry cake from scratch by incorporating chopped berries into the batter. For intensely strawberry shortcakes, sandwich sweetened berries between flaky biscuits.
What are Some Delicious Strawberry Cake Recipes?
Here are 5 phenomenal cake recipes perfectly topped with fresh strawberries:
1. Strawberry Cheesecake Cake
Fluffy cheesecake filling and cake layered with strawberries and frosted in cream cheese frosting.
2. Strawberry Shortcake
Tender biscuits split and filled with sweet macerated strawberries and whipped cream.
3. Strawberry Rose Cake
Romantic pink ombre cake covered in rosettes of buttercream and fresh strawberries.
4. Strawberry Icebox Cake
Cool no-bake dessert of sliced strawberries and whipped cream layered between cookies.
5. Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Rich dark chocolate cake topped artfully with fresh strawberries.
Nutrition Facts for Strawberries
Strawberries are nutritious and low calorie, making them a guilt-free cake topping. One cup of sliced strawberries contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 50 |
| Carbs | 12g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Vitamin C | 98% DV |
| Manganese | 29% DV |
Strawberries provide an abundance of vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium and antioxidants. They make a far more nutritious cake topping than many alternatives.
Conclusion
Fresh strawberries make a fabulous addition to any cake. Their bright natural sweetness provides the perfect counterpoint to rich cake and frosting. With minimal preparation like washing, hulling, slicing and artful arranging, strawberries can beautifully adorn decadent cakes. While their moisture can make them a bit tricky for long term storage, strawberry topped cakes consumed within several hours of assembly will be tender, flavorful and downright irresistible.