This Strawberry Lemon cake with Basil Buttercream Frosting is moist, and packed with fresh, sweet berries. The lemon brightens up the cake, giving it a clean, summer taste. The Basil Buttercream is light and fresh too- not too sweet or heavy, and perfect for a summer dessert. I like to make a simple single layer cake, frosting only the top. I am not a fan of heavy, rich desserts in the summer, so I wanted this cake to have a simple, laid back feel, appropriate for serving on the back deck after a day of burgers and sangria in the sun. Topped with fresh berries, this Strawberry Lemon Cake with Basil Buttercream Frosting looks like it just stepped out of the garden!
This week was the first week of our local CSA program, and our first CSA share was full of delicious, freshly picked strawberries. I knew right away I’d be making this cake, because it is one of my favorites. Strawberries are a staple in our house and I always have fresh basil, either in my window pots or in the garden, so I like coming up with new ways to use it. In fact, if you love basil check out my Peach Basil jam, another summery combo that I love!
If you’re looking for something that just screams warm summer days this cake will not disappoint – although you don’t see basil in very many dessert recipes, the flavor compliments the strawberries and lemon in such a way that you’ll find it hard to resist going back for seconds. I’ve made this with both bottled lemon juice and fresh lemons and you can definitely taste the difference, so I would recommend making sure you have some fresh lemons on hand for this (you’ll need three).
- 1 1/2 Cups flour + 1 Tablespoon
- 1 Cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 Cup (one stick) butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 Cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 Lemons, zest and juice
- 2 Cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 stick of butter, softened
- 2 Cups of confectioner’s sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Zest and juice the lemons.
- In a medium bowl combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix well.
- In a mixer combine the butter, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, lemon juice and zest. Mix on medium speed.
- Slowly mix in the dry ingredients.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of flour over the chopped strawberries, mixing gently until they are coated. Slowly fold the berries into the batter.
- Pour the batter into your pan and bake in a 350 degree oven.
- For a a 9 or 10 inch round pan bake 40 – 45 minutes.
- For an 8 in rouch pan bake 37 – 42 minutes.
- In your mixer mix the butter and sugar until completely combined. Add the lemon juice, zest and basil. Beat on medium speed until fluffy and frost cake.
- I like to add some fresh berries and basil leaves to the top of my cake before serving. If you’re making this ahead of time pop it – covered – in the refrigerator until you need it. Remove it about an hour before serving and allow it to warm up.
After trying it for the first time a friend of mine exclaimed that it reminded her of childhood summers – of lemonade sipped from tall glasses with friends, or fingers sticky from eating fresh fruit in the hot summer sun. It reminds me of the way the wind would carry the smell of basil from the garden through the heavy summer air.
My basil plants are a little more under control thanks to sheer number of times this cake has been requested at barbecues lately, but it won’t be long before I have more than I know what to do with again. What are your favorite recipes for using up excess basil?
And for a little more inspiration, check out my Peach Basil Jam!
loved this cake!! The smell and taste of the basil, was a unexpected delicious delightful surprise! I’m hoping there may be a piece left over for me?!
Just tucked away the last piece for you earlier tonight! 😉