Lemon Cake With Strawberries and Cream

By David Tanis

Published April 13, 2025

  • David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes, plus cooling time
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour, plus cooling time
Rating
4(98)
Comments
Read comments

For dessert, a bowl of strawberries and cream is always a winner. But instead, consider this lemony spongecake topped with strawberries and cream, which may well generate applause. It’s worth seeking out smaller strawberries, which tend to be riper and sweeter than the large, white-shouldered type. The spongecake may be baked in advance, up to 2 days ahead. It’s fun to hide the strawberries under a thick layer of whipped cream, but you can serve the cream on the side if preferred.

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

FOR THE CAKE

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 1 ⅓ cups/140 grams sifted cake flour, plus more for the pan

  • 6 large eggs

  • ¾ cup/150 grams granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Pinch of salt

FOR THE GLAZE

  • ¾ cup/92 grams powdered sugar

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons limoncello or triple sec

  • 1 cup/240 milliliters heavy cream

  • ½ pound/225 grams ripe strawberries, hulled, rinsed and thickly sliced, quartered or halved

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

49 grams carbs; 177 milligrams cholesterol; 374 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 16 grams fat; 1 gram fiber; 82 milligrams sodium; 7 grams protein; 34 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Prepare the cake: Place the flour in a large bowl and set aside. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat eggs at medium speed. Add granulated sugar, lemon zest, vanilla extract and salt. Beat until mixture is quite thick and nearly holds peaks, about 10 minutes. Quickly fold into the flour.

  3. Step 3

    Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake until a skewer emerges cleanly when inserted into the middle of the cake, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on a rack in the pan. (It's fine to make the cake a day or two in advance.)

  4. Step 4

    Flip the cake onto a platter, leaving the flat surface on top.

  5. Step 5

    Make the glaze: Stir together ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice and the limoncello until all the sugar has dissolved. Brush all of the glaze over the cake.

  6. Step 6

    Whip cream and 2 tablespoons of the remaining powdered sugar to form very soft peaks — don’t overwhip.

  7. Step 7

    In a medium bowl, toss strawberries with remaining tablespoon lemon juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

  8. Step 8

    Spoon strawberries on the cake and top with whipped cream to cover the berries. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, if desired. Cut into wedges to serve.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
98 user ratings
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Comments

Beate

@Janet and @ Confused, sponge cakes do not incorporate butter or oil into the recipe. The fat comes from the eggs, the lightness of the cake comes from beating air into the batter.

Laura S.

@Jennifer Caravaggio in step 1 it says to butter and flour the cake pan.

Tammi

It IS noted. It's the very first thing in the instructions. I'm not sure why everyone is so confused??

Alexa

It is in the oven, so fingers are crossed. But this method is called a Génoise sponge, for those like me who are curious about finding more tips on this (at least in the US) uncommon technique.

Jane

Similar to the other comments, this was a terrible cake that went in the garbage. Experienced baker, followed recipe. The texture was gummy, no flavor. Why this has 4* I do not know.

Jane

Agree with other comments a out this being a disaster. Made it for mother’s day. Went in the garbage. Baked as directed. A gummy, tasteless glob that someone bas masqueraded as a cake.

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