Strawberry Cake Filling

When fresh strawberries are plentiful, use it as an excuse to make strawberry cake filling. This simple 3-ingredient fruit filling is easy to make, and it can elevate even layers of cake made from a boxed mix to special dessert status.

You'll need to plan ahead if you want to make this strawberry cake filling. It does need several hours to thicken and chill. But otherwise, this couldn't be simpler to make. Here, learn how to make strawberry cake filling, and get ideas on how to use it.

Ingredients for Strawberry Cake Filling

Strawberry filling for cake requires just three ingredients. These are:

• Fresh strawberries: We prefer these over frozen because they release less moisture. If you have to use frozen, let them thaw and drain them well first.
• Sugar: Sugar helps draw out the berries' natural sweetness and also makes a simple syrup that will help to naturally thicken the strawberry filling when it's boiled.
• Gelatin: Other recipes for strawberry cake filling often call for cornstarch, but if it's not boiled correctly, cornstarch can make the filling gritty. Gelatin, on the other hand, dissolves quickly, and it helps the filling stay together once it's between the cake layers.

How To Make Strawberry Cake Filling

Strawberry cake filling isn't time consuming, but it does require some planning. Once it's made, it needs to chill for 8 hours so the gelatin will thicken properly.

Here, a brief recap of how to make strawberry cake filling. The full recipe is below:

• Step 1: Macerate the berries. Combine the sugar and fresh strawberries. Let them sit for about 30 minutes for the sugar to draw out the berries' natural juices.
• Step 2: Boil berry mixture. Bring the sugar and strawberries to a boil, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Step 3: Add gelatin. Take the boiling berries off the heat, and stir in the gelatin. Mix well.
• Step 4: Chill several hours. Let the gelatin-berry mix sit in the fridge for 8 hours to thicken. Then it's ready to use.

Ways To Use Strawberry Cake Filling

Obviously this strawberry filling is meant for a cake. The fruity filling will be delicious used between the layers of a vanilla or strawberry cake. It would even be delicious used with a chocolate cake.

Beyond that, there are many other ways to use this filling:

• Biscuits
• Waffles
• Crepes
• In cupcakes
• Cheesecake
• Ice cream
• Trifles

How To Store Strawberry Cake Filling

It's a good idea to plan to make this strawberry cake filling before you need to use it. After all, it does need to chill for 8 hours. Once it's finished chilling, you can leave the strawberry filling in the bowl with plastic wrap until you need it.

But if it'll be more than a few hours, consider transferring the strawberry filling to an airtight food container. It will last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, but it may get a bit more watery as it sits. (The berries continue to release moisture.) You can drain some of the excess liquid off before you plan to use it.

Don't freeze strawberry cake filling. It will be too watery once it's thawed.

How Much Will This Recipe Make?

This recipe for strawberry cake filling makes 4 cups. That's enough for a three-layer cake. It will also make enough to fill cupcakes or top a cheescake.

If you have leftovers, use it as a topper for ice cream, brownies, or waffles. It would also be great in a last-minute berry trifle: Chop up store-bought angel food cake, drizzle it with berries, and add whipped cream.

What Cakes Go Well With Strawberry Filling?

If you need a filling for a cake, this strawberry filling is a great choice. Almost any cake could benefit from having this fruity filling. We especially like these recipes:

• Homemade Yellow Cake
• One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
• Best White Cake