One summer while I was living in New York City, my sister Rebe came to visit amidst a strong bout of mono. I remember she was miserable, but forced herself to make the trip because it was my then best friend/roommate’s and my birthday weekend (our birthdays are 5 days apart). The entire visit was basically spent dragging around a half-sleeping baby. Rebe put up a strong fight against her tiredness, but in the end, she just couldn’t win. Any chance she’d get, she’d rest her head on her arm and try to fall asleep.
One afternoon, I asked if we could go up on my roof to see Manhattan from above. I was living in the Lower East Side at the time, and my apartment building had a fantastic view of the city. Rebe, bless her heart, agreed to do it. We climbed the one flight of stairs separating us from the roof and halfway up the stairs, it began:
“Sarah, I can’t do it. I’m too tired.”
“Yes you can! We’re so close!” I told her. She moaned and soldiered on.
The roof had a ‘normal’ part that made the view partially obscured by the roof’s ledge, and then a 5 foot tall block in the center that allowed you to see the city in its entirety. We were going to hop onto it. I pointed to the block and Rebe said, “No, I can’t do it.” Me being the ever bossy older sister, said “Yes you can! I’ll boost you up, then we can lie down and catch some sun.”
“Sarahhhhhhh,” she wined. But I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I put out my hands to give her foot a boost, but she resisted. “Nooooo,” she said.
The next five minutes were spent trying to coax her onto the block. We were SO close, I told her! Literally just lift your leg up and we’re there! But she didn’t budge. She just stood there with her head on her forearm and her forearm on the block, eyes closed and half asleep. I couldn’t stop laughing. She couldn’t stop, either, even with her tiredness. It was comical: she merely had to lift a leg, and she wanted so badly to make me happy, but she just couldn’t.
I finally backed down and told her it was OK, that we could go downstairs and she could take a nap. But to this day I laugh every time I think of that story. She tried so hard to push through the tiredness for my sake, but that 5 foot block was just too much. She couldn’t lift her leg. God, what a gem, my sister.
This strawberry almond cake has nothing to do with that story. But it is delicious. The almond meal makes it extra moist, and the slivered almonds on top provide a great crunch. Plus, it’s made in one bowl and yet gorgeous enough to present to a dinner crowd. Win-win.
How to make strawberry almond cake
This is a dense, fresh strawberry cake that’s infused with a little orange zest and almond extract. It’s just sweet enough to count as dessert, but it isn’t sickeningly sweet. To make this oh-so satisfying strawberry almond cake, you need to:
Beat the butter until fluffy — You didn’t think I’d make a cake recipe without beating the living daylights out of the butter, did you? The butter, oil, eggs, and sugar need to be beaten until light and fluffy (which will take 2-3 minutes). This prevents the cake from becoming too dense.
Mix in the dry ingredients — Once the butter mixture is sufficiently beaten, add in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Then, add in the fresh strawberry slices and stir those in by hand.
Bake the cake — Bake the strawberry almond cake in an 8-inch cake pan for around 40 minutes. Wait a few minutes for the cake to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar.
How to serve strawberry almond cake
This strawberry almond cake is the perfect dessert to make when you have friends coming over to your house, and you want to treat them to something special but don’t want to mess around with layer cakes and tons of frosting. Because this cake is so simple and elegant, I think it’s perfect for serving alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee. Serve it with a light dusting of powdered sugar, and make some whipped cream to go on the side for an added touch.
This homemade strawberry cake is sure to be a hit, and it’s so easy to make. Let me know if you end up making it!
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8″ cake pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a standing mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter, oil, eggs, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in orange zest and both extracts.
Turn speed to low and add in flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt until just mixed. Fold in strawberry slices.
Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Top with slivered almonds. Bake for 40 minutes, or until cake is lightly brown on top and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before sprinkling with powdered sugar and slicing into triangles.
This is delish!! So moist and fluffy. Big hit with the fam and so easy to make. I didn’t have orange zest so I used lemon zest instead and then I added a little lemon glaze on the top cuz I just love glaze lol. It didn’t NEED it by any means but yum!!! Thank you I love you
Wow this tea cake was absolutely amazing. Light and fluffy with the perfect tartness from the strawberries. Also looks so elegant and can’t wait to make for guests and family in the future!! You are a genius!!
I’ve made this a couple times and it’s delicious. Have you ever tried making it as a loaf? I’d like to take it to a tailgate for a pre-game addition to the brunch menu.
Thank you!
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Can I make this cake a day in advance? Does it store well?
Thank you!
Yes! Just keep it in the fridge until ready to serve so it stays resh!
This is delish!! So moist and fluffy. Big hit with the fam and so easy to make. I didn’t have orange zest so I used lemon zest instead and then I added a little lemon glaze on the top cuz I just love glaze lol. It didn’t NEED it by any means but yum!!! Thank you I love you
★★★★★
Wow this tea cake was absolutely amazing. Light and fluffy with the perfect tartness from the strawberries. Also looks so elegant and can’t wait to make for guests and family in the future!! You are a genius!!
★★★★★
Is it possible or has anyone made it with Monkfruit sweetner instead of sugar? Or can the sugar be cut down…I read a review saying it was very sweet.
I’ve made this a couple times and it’s delicious. Have you ever tried making it as a loaf? I’d like to take it to a tailgate for a pre-game addition to the brunch menu.
Thank you!
Hi Amy! I’ve actually never tried this as a loaf, but I’m sure it would be delicious!