Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake: A Sweet Slice of Heaven 🍓

If you’ve ever wished for a dessert that’s rich, fruity, and beautifully rustic all at once, this Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake is about to become your new favorite. With its soft crumb, juicy strawberry bursts, and that dreamy pink cream cheese frosting, it’s the kind of cake that makes everyone ask for seconds (and the recipe, too!).

This isn’t just a cake—it’s an experience. The kind you bake for birthdays, Mother’s Day, spring gatherings, or simply to treat yourself on a cozy Sunday afternoon. It’s luxurious yet approachable, classic yet fresh. And the best part? It looks just as stunning as it tastes.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

  • 🍓 Fresh strawberries baked right in for fruity flavor in every slice.
  • 🧈 Cream cheese and butter base makes the crumb soft, moist, and rich.
  • 🎂 Rustic strawberry cream cheese frosting that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
  • 🕒 Simple prep—no complicated steps, just classic baking done right.
  • 💖 Perfect for any occasion (or no occasion at all).

The Story Behind Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake

Traditional pound cake got its name from its formula: a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Over time, bakers started tweaking that recipe, adding cream cheese or sour cream for moisture and richness. That’s where the “Italian Cream” style comes in—not because it’s authentically Italian, but because it feels extra indulgent, with a texture that’s halfway between cheesecake and pound cake.

Now, add strawberries into the mix, and you’ve got something even better: fruity, fragrant, and beautifully pink. It’s the kind of cake that turns a simple gathering into something special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this cake to life:

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup strawberries, diced

For the Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for desired thickness)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped strawberries

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly, making sure every corner is coated. Pound cakes like to stick, so don’t skimp on this step!

2. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large bowl, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This base gives the cake its signature richness and velvety crumb.

3. Add Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla

Gradually add the sugar, mixing until light and fluffy. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract for that warm, sweet aroma.

4. Mix in Dry Ingredients and Milk

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this mixture to the wet ingredients in thirds, alternating with milk. Start and end with flour. Mix until just combined—overmixing makes the cake dense.

5. Fold in Strawberries

Gently fold in diced strawberries with a spatula. If they’re very juicy, toss them in a little flour first to keep them from sinking.

6. Bake

Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.

7. Cool

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Making the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

This frosting is what makes the cake truly special—soft pink, fruity, and perfectly sweet.

  1. Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fluffy.
  3. Fold in finely chopped or lightly mashed strawberries. If you prefer smooth frosting, puree them first.

If the frosting feels too soft, chill it for 15 minutes before using.

Decorating Tips

  • Go rustic: Spread frosting with the back of a spoon, creating natural swirls.
  • Add garnish: Top with fresh strawberries, mint leaves, or chopped nuts.
  • Layer it: If baking in two round pans, frost between the layers for an even more indulgent cake.

Serving Suggestions

  • Slice thick pieces and serve with hot coffee or tea.
  • Pair with whipped cream and extra strawberries for a summer dessert.
  • Serve at brunch alongside mimosas for a sweet twist.
  • Dress it up with edible flowers for a spring party centerpiece.
Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake

Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake

Indulge in this luscious Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake, bursting with strawberries and cream cheese richness. Perfect for any occasion!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • Bundt Pan
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Electric Mixer
  • Wire Rack

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup strawberries diced

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth.
  • Gradually add sugar, mixing until fluffy.
  • Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
  • Gently fold in diced strawberries.
  • Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until fluffy. Frost cooled cake.

Notes

For extra strawberry flavor, mix a spoonful of strawberry jam into the frosting. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices for a stunning presentation.
Keyword Cream Cheese Cake, Pound Cake, Strawberry Cake

Tips for Success

  • Use room-temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter.
  • Don’t overmix after adding the flour.
  • Always test with a toothpick before removing the cake from the oven.
  • Let it cool fully before frosting (patience pays off!).
  • If your frosting gets too runny from juicy berries, add more powdered sugar.

Variations to Try

  • Berry Mix: Replace half the strawberries with blueberries or raspberries.
  • Nut Lover’s Twist: Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
  • Glazed Simplicity: Skip frosting and drizzle with a strawberry glaze.
  • Mini Cakes: Use cupcake pans for personal-sized treats.

You may read as well :

Homemade Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Caramel Pound Cake Recipe – A Rich, Buttery Delight with Decadent Caramel Glaze
Strawberry Pineapple Pound Cake

Storing and Freezing

  • Store frosted cake in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze unfrosted cake (wrapped in plastic + foil) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but thaw, drain, and pat them dry first to avoid extra liquid.

2. Can I make this ahead?
Definitely! Bake the cake a day early, then frost it the next day.

3. My cake stuck to the pan—what happened?
Bundt cakes are tricky. Make sure your pan is greased and floured thoroughly.

4. Can I make this without frosting?
Yes! Dust with powdered sugar or use a simple glaze instead.

5. Can I bake this as a layer cake?
Absolutely. Divide the batter between two 9-inch round pans and reduce the bake time to about 30–35 minutes.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Italian Cream Pound Cake is everything you want in a dessert—rich, moist, fruity, and absolutely stunning to look at. The cream cheese base keeps it tender, the strawberries add brightness, and the frosting ties it all together with a beautiful, rustic finish.

It’s a cake that feels just as at home at a fancy party as it does at a cozy Sunday dinner. Bake it once, and you’ll see why it’s destined to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen.

So, grab those strawberries, turn on the oven, and let your kitchen fill with the sweet, buttery scent of homemade happiness. 🍓❤️

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