Easy Strawberry Spoon Cake – 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 entertaining—or simply enjoying a summery treat on a slow afternoon.

Something I’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 he’s got me so inspired to keep creating new berry-filled desserts—and even a few citrusy ones too!

Unlike my mom, my grandpa loves dessert. Chocolate, vanilla, fruity—he doesn’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 wasn’t able to share this strawberry cake with him (sadly), but I showed him a few photos and he said, “I’d love to try that soon!” Next time I visit, I’ll be sure to bring both cake and pie—he deserves the best of both!

Back to this cake though—it’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. It’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. It’s the easiest cake and always a crowd favorite!

Here are the details

Ingredients

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

Special Tools

You don’t need much for this cake. Just a couple of mixing bowls, a skillet, and a cake pan (around 10 inches).

Steps

Step 1: Macerate the strawberries

Trim the berries and slice them in half—if they’re really big, quarter them. Toss the strawberries with ¼ 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.

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.

Step 3: Combine the berries with the batter

Pour the batter into a 10-inch cake pan or pie plate—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 top—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.

Looking for other homemade recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

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, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Very key here is the size of your loaf pan because this will fill out every speck of it before it is done. Mine holds 6 liquid cups (or 1420 ml); it’s 8×4 inches on the bottom and 9×5 inches on the top. If yours is even slightly smaller or you’re nervous, go ahead and pour a little of the apple and batter mixture into a few muffin cups and bake them off. They will not go to waste.