Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake

The color alone makes me smile every time I bake it.
This Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake is soft, fluffy, and smells like fresh berries and sweetness.

I made it for a friend’s birthday, and the bright pink layers stole the show.
It tastes light, creamy, and feels like a party in every bite.

If you love pretty cakes that taste as good as they look, this one’s for you.
Let’s bake it together and bring a little pink joy to your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Stunning Presentation: The beautiful pink color makes this cake a showstopper at any party.
• Real Strawberry Flavor: Fresh strawberries give this cake authentic fruit taste, not artificial flavoring.
• Moist and Tender: The combination of sour cream and milk creates an incredibly soft texture.
• Perfect for Special Occasions: Great for birthdays, showers, or any celebration that needs extra sweetness.
• Easy to Customize: Add your favorite decorations, from edible glitter to fresh strawberries.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Cooling Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: About 2 hours

Servings: This recipe makes one 9-inch two-layer cake, serving 10-12 people. For a larger gathering, double the recipe to make a four-layer cake.

Difficulty: Moderate. Beginners can make this cake successfully by following the steps carefully. The frosting requires some patience but comes together easily.

Required Kitchen Tools

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• Mixing bowls (medium and large)
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wire cooling rack
• Offset spatula for frosting
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

This cake combines simple pantry staples with fresh strawberries to create something truly special. The strawberries add natural moisture and flavor, while the cream cheese frosting provides a tangy balance to the sweetness.

For the Cake:

• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped and drained
• 8-10 drops red food coloring (adjust for desired pink shade)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Pink food coloring (optional, for extra pink frosting)

For Decoration:

• Edible glitter or pink sprinkles
• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Additional pink decorations as desired

Variations for Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake

• Use Strawberry Puree: Blend strawberries and strain for a smoother texture and more intense flavor.
• Add Lemon Zest: A teaspoon of fresh lemon zest brightens the strawberry flavor.
• Try White Chocolate: Fold in white chocolate chips for added richness.
• Make Cupcakes: Use the same batter to make 24 cupcakes, baking for 18-20 minutes.
• Change the Color: Adjust food coloring for different shades, from pale pink to hot pink.
• Add Strawberry Jam: Spread a thin layer of jam between cake layers for extra strawberry taste.

How to Make Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Pans and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Bring eggs, sour cream, and milk to room temperature. Chop strawberries finely and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat softened butter and sugar together on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. The mixture should look pale and have increased in volume.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is combined evenly.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed. Add the sour cream and milk, then add the remaining flour mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

6. Fold in Strawberries and Color

Gently fold in the chopped strawberries using a rubber spatula. Add red food coloring drops and fold until the batter reaches your desired pink shade. The strawberries will add natural pink tones as well.

7. Bake the Cakes

Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The tops should spring back when lightly pressed.

8. Cool Completely

Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks. Remove parchment paper and let cakes cool completely before frosting, at least one hour.

9. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed. Add vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of cream. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed for spreading consistency. Add pink food coloring if desired.

10. Assemble and Frost

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Use an offset spatula for smooth, even coverage.

Serving and Decoration

Place your frosted cake on a pretty cake stand or plate. Sprinkle the top with edible glitter or pink sprinkles for extra sparkle. Arrange fresh strawberry slices around the top edge or in the center. You can pipe additional frosting rosettes using a piping bag with a star tip for a fancier look. Add small edible pearls or flowers for an elegant touch.

Serve slices at room temperature with a glass of cold milk or a cup of tea. This cake is perfect as a centerpiece for birthday parties or special gatherings.

How to Serve Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake

This beautiful cake works wonderfully for many occasions:

• Birthday Parties: A perfect centerpiece for a Barbie-themed or princess party.
• Baby Showers: The pink color makes it ideal for celebrating new arrivals.
• Tea Parties: Serve small slices with hot tea and finger sandwiches.
• Spring Celebrations: The fresh strawberry flavor suits garden parties and Easter gatherings.
• Everyday Treats: Sometimes you just need cake, and this one makes any day special.

Storing Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake

• Room Temperature: Unfrosted cake layers can sit at room temperature, covered, for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Store frosted cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cream cheese frosting must be refrigerated. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
• Freezer: Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
• Frosting Storage: Keep extra frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Room Temperature Matters: Make sure butter, eggs, sour cream, and milk are at room temperature for the smoothest batter.
• Drain Strawberries Well: Pat chopped strawberries dry to prevent excess moisture in your cake.
• Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter until ingredients are just combined to keep the cake tender.
• Level Your Cakes: If your cakes dome on top, use a serrated knife to level them for easier stacking.
• Crumb Coat First: Apply a thin layer of frosting to seal in crumbs, then refrigerate for 15 minutes before adding the final frosting layer.
• Adjust Pink Shade: Start with fewer drops of food coloring and add more gradually to reach your perfect pink.
• Test for Doneness: Insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories	520
Total Fat	24g
Saturated Fat	15g
Cholesterol	105mg
Sodium	280mg
Total Carbohydrates	72g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	54g
Protein	5g

Nutritional values are approximate and based on 12 servings.

Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries? Fresh strawberries work best for texture and flavor. Frozen strawberries release too much moisture and can make the cake dense.

Why is my cake dense? Overmixing the batter or using ingredients that are too cold can create a dense texture. Mix until just combined and use room temperature ingredients.

Can I make this cake ahead? Yes. Bake the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store covered at room temperature. Frost the day you plan to serve it.

How do I get a brighter pink color? Use gel food coloring instead of liquid drops for more vibrant color without adding extra liquid to the batter.

Can I use a different frosting? Buttercream frosting works well too. Cream cheese frosting provides a nice tangy balance to the sweet cake.

Do I need to refrigerate this cake? Yes, because of the cream cheese frosting. Store covered in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Conclusion

This Barbie Pink Strawberry Cake brings together the fresh taste of real strawberries with a beautiful pink color that makes any occasion feel special. The moist, tender cake paired with smooth cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that tastes as wonderful as it looks. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, hosting a party, or simply treating yourself, this cake delivers both flavor and fun. The combination of simple ingredients and straightforward steps means you can create an impressive dessert without stress. Give this recipe a try and watch faces light up when you bring out this gorgeous pink creation.