Imagine a dessert that combines the elegance of champagne with the sweet, luscious flavor of fresh strawberries - all in a decadent cake that looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery, but can be made with surprising ease! This Strawberry Champagne Cake transforms an ordinary cake mix into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have your guests wondering about your secret baking skills. Perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, or any celebration that calls for something spectacularly delicious, this cake is about to become your new go-to dessert recipe.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix
- 1 cup champagne or sparkling wine
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, champagne, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the batter is smooth and well-incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gently fold in the chopped fresh strawberries, being careful not to overmix and crush the fruit completely.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for about 1 hour.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the whipped cream topping by whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the whipped cream evenly over the top of the cake.
- Garnish with fresh strawberry slices just before serving.
- For best flavor, chill the cake for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Choose a high-quality sparkling wine or champagne for the best flavor profile - the alcohol will mostly bake out, leaving behind a subtle, sophisticated taste.
- Make sure your strawberries are fresh and patted dry before folding into the batter to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cake's texture.
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are incorporated to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure your cake is perfectly baked - it should reach around 200-205°F in the center.
- For an extra luxurious touch, consider using a kitchen torch to lightly caramelize the whipped cream topping before serving.
- If you want a more intense strawberry flavor, add a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the batter.
- Chill the cake before serving to help the flavors meld and make slicing easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 65mg
