Strawberry ladyfinger cake is a delightful, light dessert that combines the delicate texture of ladyfingers with the fresh, juicy sweetness of strawberries. This cake is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a special celebration, a summer gathering, or just a treat to enjoy after dinner. The layers of soft ladyfingers, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries come together to create a refreshing and indulgent dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
At the heart of this cake are ladyfingers, the airy, biscuit-like sponge cookies that are both light and absorbent. They soak up the creamy filling while maintaining their structure, creating a perfect balance of texture in each bite. The ladyfingers are often arranged in a circular pattern or stacked vertically to form the base and sides of the cake, giving it an elegant appearance.
For the filling, a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese creates a rich yet light texture that complements the ladyfingers. Sweeten the filling with a touch of sugar and vanilla, and you’ll have a creamy base that pairs perfectly with the tartness of the strawberries. Some recipes may also add a little bit of lemon zest or lemon juice to enhance the freshness of the strawberries and bring a subtle zing to the dessert.
Fresh strawberries are the star of this cake, providing a burst of color and sweetness. You can either slice them and layer them in between the ladyfingers or arrange them on top for a vibrant presentation. The strawberries can be mixed with a bit of sugar to draw out their juices, creating a light syrup that soaks into the cake layers for added flavor.
Assembling the strawberry ladyfinger cake is simple. Begin by dipping the ladyfingers in a light syrup or juice (like orange juice or a little liqueur) to soften them slightly. Then, layer them with the whipped cream mixture and fresh strawberries, repeating the process until you have a few layers. Let the cake chill in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
This strawberry ladyfinger cake is a perfect dessert for warm weather, offering a sweet, fruity treat that feels indulgent but light at the same time. It’s the ideal way to enjoy the flavors of fresh strawberries in a beautiful, easy-to-make cake.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream chilled
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 package ladyfingers
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until fully combined.
- Line the bottom of a springform pan with half of the ladyfingers.
- Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers, then top with sliced strawberries.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ladyfingers, mascarpone mixture, and strawberries.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Carefully remove the sides of the springform pan before serving.
This cake is absolutely delightful! The strawberries really pop with the cream. 💖
Isn’t this just a trifle? I mean, ladyfingers and cream are too common. Where’s the originality?
I made this for my mom’s birthday and she loved it! I added a little lemon zest for extra flavor.
That sounds amazing! I love the idea of adding lemon zest, it must’ve added a nice zing! Can’t wait to try it myself. 🎂
OMG this is so easy and delicious! My kids gobbled it up. Definitely making it again!
Strawberries are gonna be out of season soon! Make this while you can! 🍓
Simply divine! I used frozen strawberries and it still turned out great.
I dunno, frozen strawberries? They ain’t the same! Fresh is always better. But if it worked for you, good for ya I guess.
That’s awesome! I usually use fresh strawberries too, but I’m glad to hear frozen ones work just as well!
I dunno, I mean I don’t like mascarpone, so this wasn’t for me. But if you like it, maybe you’ll love it.
Way too much sugar for my liking. I think I’ll skip the powdered sugar next time.
The recipe sounds easy but it took me ages to layer properly. I’m not cut out for fancy cakes, I guess.
This cake was heavenly! Perfect for summer. I love strawberries! 🍓
Did I read wrong? How do u mean ladyfingers? Like, actual fingers? 🤔
This cake is so delicious! It was a hit at my family gathering. Will definitely make again!
I’m glad you liked it! It’s one of my favorites too. Perfect for summer!
I tried making this but it didn’t set properly. I’m not sure what I did wrong. Maybe too much cream?
How can you call this a cake? It’s more like a trifle. But it tasted good, I guess.
This cake is a hit at every party! Super easy to make and everyone loves it.
How can you not like this? It’s strawberries and whipped cream! Simple and bomb!
I didn’t have ladyfingers so I used pound cake instead. It was okay, but not great. The texture was off.
Yeah, pound cake just isn’t the same as ladyfingers. They give that special texture you need! Maybe next time try to find them.
Looks fancy, but it’s just ladyfingers and cream, right? Still, can’t deny it’s tasty!
So delicious!!! I don’t even like strawberries but this is amazing!!
Luv this cake! Perfect dessert for summer. My kids gobbled it all up!
Yummm! Perfect summer dessert. But I forgot to refrigerate it overnight. Oops! Still tasted good though.
Sounds delicious! Even without the overnight chill, I’m sure it was a hit. Strawberry desserts are always a win in the summer!
I don’t know, the cream was a bit too rich for my taste. Maybe less mascarpone next time?
This was a disaster for me. The cream wouldn’t whip! I guess I did something wrong? Maybe my cream was too warm?
Ehhh, it was okay. Nothing special. I expected more flavor.
Cool recipe but ladyfingers can be hard to find where I live. Might try with sponge cake instead.