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Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake โ€“ a soft, gooey-in-the-center cake made with an easy vanilla batter, fresh strawberries, and a swirl of strawberry jam for even more fruity flavor in every bite. It takes just a few minutes to prep, then bake and top with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Perfect for entertainingโ€”or simply enjoying a summery treat on a slow afternoon.

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Something Iโ€™ve really come to love over the past few years is baking with fresh berries. I just spent a few days with my grandpa over the 4th, and heโ€™s got me so inspired to keep creating new berry-filled dessertsโ€”and even a few citrusy ones too!

Unlike my mom, my grandpa loves dessert. Chocolate, vanilla, fruityโ€”he doesnโ€™t discriminate! His favorites are a classic apple pie or a good key lime. So naturally, key lime pie is next on my list. Sounds fun, right?

I wasnโ€™t able to share this strawberry cake with him (sadly), but I showed him a few photos and he said, โ€œIโ€™d love to try that soon!โ€ Next time I visit, Iโ€™ll be sure to bring both cake and pieโ€”he deserves the best of both!

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Back to this cake thoughโ€”itโ€™s been on my list to make since last summer. A spoon cake is one of those easy, nostalgic desserts that feels comforting but still special. Itโ€™s light and super moist, made with macerated strawberries and all those delicious, syrupy juices.

I fold in a little strawberry jam too, just to make sure every bite has that sweet, summery berry flavor. Itโ€™s the easiest cake and always a crowd favorite!

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

Ingredients

  • fresh strawberries
  • brown sugar
  • salted butter
  • eggs
  • buttermilk โ€“ you can also just use milk
  • vanilla extract
  • flour
  • baking powder
  • strawberry jam โ€“ ideally pick up from somewhere local!

Special Tools

You donโ€™t need much for this cake. Just a coupleย of mixing bowls, aย skillet, and a cake pan (around 10 inches).

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Steps

Step 1: Macerate the strawberries

Trim the berries and slice them in halfโ€”if theyโ€™re really big, quarter them. Toss the strawberries with ยผ cup of the brown sugar.
Let them sit for at least 15 minutes. During this time, the sugar will draw out the juices and soften the berries.

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 2: Mix the batter

Melt and lightly brown the butter in a skillet. The browned butter adds even more flavor to the cake.
Pour the butter into a mixing bowl, then add the remaining brown sugar, the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 3: Combine the berries with the batter

Pour the batter into a 10-inch cake pan or pie plateโ€”you can also use a square brownie or cake pan.
Spoon the macerated strawberries and all their juices over the batter.
Dot small spoonfuls of jam across the top for even more strawberry goodness.

Step 4: Bake the cake

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the edges are fully set and the center is just barely set.
Let the cake rest in the pan for about 10 minutes so it can finish setting up.

How to serve this easy strawberry spoon cake!

Serve warm, ideally with scoops of vanilla ice cream right on topโ€”or a dollop of homemade, lightly sweetened vanilla whipped cream.
The contrast of the warm cake with melty ice cream or whipped cream and juicy strawberries is pure perfection.

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for otherย homemadeย recipes? Here are a few ideas:ย 

Strawberry Tarte Tatin

Strawberry Caramel Muffins

Healthier Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

Mini Blueberry Muffins

Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts

Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts

Blueberry Cherry Galette

Lastly, if you make this Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, donโ€™t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake

Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake | halfbakedharvest.com
4.43 from 19 votes
8
calories 250kcal
Prep20 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Total1 hour
Warm, gooey, and packed with fresh berries and jam. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate summer dessert!
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • 1. Toss the strawberries with 1/4 cup brown sugar in a bowl. Let the fruit sit for 10 minutes to release some of its juices.
    2. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Butter a 10-12 inch baking dish.
    3. In a bowl, whiskย together the melted butter, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, the egg, buttermilk (or milk), and vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt.
    4. Pour the batter into the prepared dish. Spoon the macerated strawberries over the top, then go back and spoon out all the juices. Add small spoonfuls of jam; do not stir. Bake for 30-40 minutes until set around the edges and jammy in the center. Let the cake sit for 5 minutes.
    5. Spoon the cake into bowls, getting all the strawberry juices. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

Meet Tieghan Gerard

I'm Tieghan, the recipes you'll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!

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4.43 from 19 votes

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74 Comments

  1. emily Graves says:

    5 stars
    This was an absolute hit at my party!!! I didn’t expect it to turn out as good as it was. I have had several request to make this again. HIGHLY recommend!!

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hey Emily,
      Awesome! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  2. Anne says:

    5 stars
    This was so good and everything I thought it would be! I didnโ€™t brown the butter and used milk instead of buttermilk and it was still fantastic – and I am not a cake person. The cake was so fluffy with big air pockets that made it so light! I want to try it again with blackberries.

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hey Anne,
      So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it!

      Have a wonderful weekend!

  3. Nadia says:

    Hey
    Can you use any fruit like apples

    1. Tieghan Gerard says:

      Hey Nadia,
      You bet, apples would be a great option here! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!