If Spring was a dessert this would be what it looked and tasted like!
Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want to go to.
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love it
- Beautiful pink color and vibrant strawberry flavor to match
- Each bite is filled with so much moisture—it stays fresh for days
- Tastes just like it has fresh berries, but no strawberry extract is needed
This easy strawberry bundt cake can be made into loaves, layer cakes, a strawberry shortcake, and even a full wedding cake. It is the perfect dessert for the strawberry lover in your life—and, the perfect way to make any day feel like a special occasion.
Sometimes I want to be a little more fancy and then I make this triple layer strawberry chantilly cake!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, let the butter and cream cheese come to room temperature. Beat on low speed until smooth.
- Add the sugar and beat again.
- One at a time, mix in the eggs.
- Blend in the Kool-Aid mix, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Then, add the flour and salt and combine cake batter just until smooth.
🥫 Storage
Want to slowly savor your strawberry cake? You can!
This strawberry pound cake is fine stored at room temperature for four or five days. For best results, keep it covered tightly with plastic wrap.
However, remember that any homemade bundt cakes covered with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated.
For longer storage, wrap and freeze the cake for up to three months. I like to slice it and put parchment paper between each slice before freezing so I can thaw one or two pieces at a time.
📖 Variations
- Stir chopped, fresh strawberries into the batter during strawberry season. Dice them into small pieces so they mix in better!
- Use a different flavor of Kool-Aid to give your cake a different taste. Try Pink Lemonade for a hint of lemon. Berry Cherry or Strawberry Kiwi would also taste yummy!
- Make this fresh strawberry bundt cake recipe in loaf pans or layer cake pans, instead! Find the baking time on the recipe card.
- Or, make mini strawberry pound cake cupcakes. There's enough batter for approximately two dozen cupcakes. Bake for 20-30 minutes or so.
- I like this homemade strawberry bundt cake recipe dusted with some powdered sugar. However, you can make a delicious glaze with the cream cheese icing from my cinnamon rolls. Add a little milk or cream to get the perfect gooey texture you like.
- Glaze the cake with some chocolate ganache for a chocolate-covered strawberry flavor.
- Add a splash of lemon juice or a bit of lemon zest to a simple glaze. I love a pop of citrus with sweet strawberry desserts.
- Pulse freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until very fine, then mix them with some powdered sugar and melted butter. It makes a flavorful strawberry glaze!
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Pound cakes like this one usually taste best on the second day. So, there's no problem if you want to bake this in advance!
- Once you add the dry ingredients (mainly the flour mixture) be careful not to over-mix the batter. Otherwise, the cake can become tough.
- For this strawberry pound cake recipe, I recommend using the paddle attachment for your mixer, instead of the whisk.
- I like using a smoother bundt cake pan so that it's easier to grease. If you use one with lots of nooks and crannies, be sure to get in each little crevice with the butter and flour to prevent sticking.
- Baking the cake at 325F is what gives it that dense, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It might seem like it's taking a long time compared to a regular cake mix, but after the first bite, you'll see why it's worth the wait!
- Unsure if your cake is done baking? Insert a cake tester, a long toothpick, or a butter knife in the center of the cake. If there is any batter on the tester, the cake's not done. Moist crumbs are okay, though, and indicate the cake is done—so look carefully!
- Let the cake cool in the bundt pan for ten minutes, before turning it out onto a wire cooling rack. Turning it out too early can cause the cake to break, and letting the cake cool too long in the pan can cause it to dry out.
👩🍳 FAQs
Nope, not this time, y'all! Use full-fat cream cheese and don't try to swap it (or the sour cream, for that matter) with any alternatives. The most delicious recipes are done a certain way for a reason!
No, sorry! Full-fat cream cheese in a brick, only. You can't use whipped cream cheese, either. See above! (Strawberry cream cheese is a little more watery because of the fruit.)
This recipe is specially formulated to work with dry Kool-Aid powder. Adding fresh strawberry puree to the batter would throw off the balance of wet and dry ingredients. However, you can drizzle the puree on top when serving! Or, check out my other strawberry recipes, here!
It sure is! I love it for Mother's day brunch, Easter, potlucks, summer birthdays, and I've even made it for a wedding!
📚 Related recipes
- With delicious lemon flavor and fresh blueberries studded throughout the yummy cake, this Lemon Blueberry Bundt is a tasty summer treat!
- Strawberry Sheet Cake is easy to make and features a light, whipped cream cheese strawberry frosting so good you can eat it with a spoon!
- This No-Bake Strawberry Angel Food Cake combines store-bought cake with fresh, juicy strawberries for a quick, easy, fun dessert!
🍽️ Serve with...
🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
📞 The last word
This is one of my favorite desserts to take to potlucks! I have plenty more strawberry recipes that will get your mouth watering, too.
It's firm enough to use in a stacked wedding cake (I've done it!) but easy enough for every day. The lack of berries actually helps it maintain the dense texture needed for heavy cakes -- keeps them from collapsing.
And what about serving it with squares of this strawberry shortcake crunch ice cream cake? Strawberry heaven!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Print Pin Recipe SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F.
- Grease a bundt pan thoroughly and then dust with flour.
- Pour out excess flour, tapping the pan lightly to get the as much out as possible.
- Set aside.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter on the lowest speed of the mixer until well blended.
- Add the sugar and continue to beat until blended.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing each in thoroughly before adding the next one.
- Add the Kool Aid mix, vanilla, and the sour cream and blend.
- Add the flour and salt.
- Mix just until blended and smooth.
- Spoon into bundt pan and smooth top.
- Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean. Start checking at 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- Remove from pan and drizzle with a glaze or let cool and dust with confectioner's sugar.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- You can make this cake a day or two in advance - or even freeze it for longer storage.
- Pound cakes are usually best the second day.
- If you are making this into wedding cake rounds the baking time will depend on the size of each pan. Bake at 350F and start checking after 25 minutes - unless it's a 6-inch layer or smaller.
- I like this cake just dusted with powdered sugar but you can make a delicious glaze with the cream cheese icing from my cinnamon rolls. Add a little milk or cream to get the exact texture you like.
- Be careful not to over mix the batter or you'll run the risk of the cake being tough.
- Baking the cake at 325F is what helps it to have that dense, melt in your mouth texture. It will need between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes to bake. It's baked in a slow oven for a long time but the resulting cake will knock your socks off.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!
We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.First published May 20, 2015. Last updated February 9, 2023 for better images.
Rebekah archer
Im very upset at this cake. I have a commercial $4,000.00 oven and this cake is not a good recipe no matter what is said. I followed the directions and it still fell. I am in the process is having a pop up shop tomorrow and this was my showcase cake. Mary’s you were wrong to share this recipe. I seen all the negative comments and thought they must be wrong but, trying it myself very angry. Take this recipe down please.
Marye
There are also plenty of people who love it. Sorry you didn't have a good experience but I've made it hundreds of times and it works fine for me.
Summer
I don’t know what happened. I called myself doing everything as should. Mine turned out horrible and the taste is no better. It also fell flat as i sat it to cool. I just gave two stars because the inside color was beautiful. I had such high hopes for this cake 😪🤷🏽♀️
Marye
I'm sorry Summer - I've never had that happen.
Danielle
No one in my family liked this cake. It was too tart. I think it wohave been better with strawberry jello instead of Kool aid. Otherwise the recipe ok. It was definitely moist.
Morgan Lindsay
This recipe did not work for me at all and I am an experienced baker. As stated in the directions it can be made into cupcakes which I tried, they spilled over the tops and sunk terribly in the middle. That was a lot of ingredients wasted unfortunately.
Marye
Sorry you didn't care for it. Others have had success - not sure what happened.
Donna
Can you make with a boxed pound cake min
Marye
No, I don't think so.
Jess
What is the recipe for the frosting?
Is the 1x measurements for one standard size cake ?
Marye
There is no frosting. It's dusted with powdered sugar. Yes, 1x is for a regular bundt cake pan.
KATHY A VICKERS
okay, so I went to the store to buy strawberry kool-aid & they do not have it or strawberry extract--the cooking gods are working against me. So I have fresh strawberries which would make the cake to wet (not a good cake) and I have freezed dried strawberries (a good option) but I need to know the ratio as a good substitution. Please help, I really want to make this cake. Can it be prepared as a 2 layer cake or bundt cake is my only option?
Marye
I have never used anything but Koolaid so I can't help there. I have no idea. I'd powder the freeze dried berries and add them to the batter, tasting often until it seemed right. You can make this into layers - I used it as a wedding cake once. About 25 minutes at 350F for a 9" layer but check it at 20 minutes.
Rebekah
Hi Kathy, I use oils in my cakes when it comes to flavoring. Walmart has oils and your cake shops has them too. Also it was hard to find strawberry koolaid but at carry outs is your best bet to find it. That’s where I found mine. Hope this helped.
KATHY A VICKERS
This cake looks wonderful, I would like to use Freeze Dried strawberries in it, what would the ratio be & would it substitute the strawberry kool aid?
Marye
Kathy, I've never tried that so I can't really say. Sorry!
Kathy
Is this all purpose flour or self rising. I’m nervous about not using any leavening if it’s all purpose.
Marye
It is all-purpose. This recipe does not require leavening.
Barbara N
I’ve made this a couple times. But have used strawberry jello instead. It’s really thick but moist as a pound cake should be!
Thank you
Marye
Try it with the koolaid! I like the texture even better. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!
Taneka Boldon
How much strawberry jello do you use
Marye
None? It's strawberry Koolaide like the recipe says.
Ronda
I made this cake yesterday! Delicious. So moist and tasty and beautiful. I did add some baking soda. I have trouble resisting this in cake recipes! This is a versatile recipe because you can try different flavors of kool aid. I am going to try pink lemonade next time! Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
Marye
so glad you liked it!
Debbie
Hi! I never can get a pound cake without baking soda/powder to turn out right! May I ask how much baking soda you used?
Marye
None. This recipe doesn't call for leavening.
Calla
Ronda
How much baking soda did you add? I have the cake in the oven now and worried regarding the recipe not calling for baking soda!
Marye
The recipe doesn't call for baking soda.
Erin Grimes
I made this, it was delicious! I'm wondering how other flavors of koolaid would work with it? Have you tried any other flavors?
Marye
I have tried others and they work fine!
billiejo lear
Today I am trying this recipe! It was NOT easy finding the strawberry kool aid mix offline but I found ONE lost packet at one of the groceries.
I am laying two small pound cakes and then adding strawberries and whipped to cream for a strawberry shortcake with a twist! I am soooooooooo excited to see how this turns out! Thank you! 😀
Julia
What kinda flour did u use?
Marye Audet
All purpose is what I always use unless the recipe states differently
Peggy
I made this cake it came out beautiful it makes me feel like a baker thanks
Cecee
Can u use cake flour (swan) instead of all purpose flour? These look good.... I want to add this on my list of pound cakes...
Marye
I wouldn't. The recipe was created with all-purpose and the cake flour would be too light.
Marye Audet
I haven't tried so I don't know - it should work... but I'd think the gelatin would make it grainy.
Deatrice
Which flour do you use? All purpose or self-rising?
Marye Audet
all-purpose. 🙂
Tisha
Could I use cakeflour instead of all purpose flour? The cake looks delicious by the way.
Marye Audet
I'd be afraid it wouldn't rise well.
Kay Booth
I've been asked to make a 2-layer strawberry birthday cake that will hold a heavy topper. This recipe sounds perfect!
Could you help with the following questions?
1. Does this recipe yield enough batter to make two 9" round cakes?
2. What temperature and baking time should be used?
Thank you so much for the recipe and for answering my questions!
Marye Audet
1. I believe it does- although I haven't measured. I think a bundt pan is equal to 2 layers.
2. I'd say 375F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Let me know how it goes!
Kay Booth
Thanks for your quick response, Marye. The batter filled two 9" round pans and the assembled cake was the height of a typical two-layer cake. I baked the cakes at 350 for 33 minutes (I was waiting to see if the cake edges would pull away from the sides - which they never did). In retrospect, I think 30 minutes would have been about right. Due to the density, the cake was easy to frost and decorate. Looking forward to tasting the cake!
Marye Audet
I am so glad! Thanks for letting me know.
Suzanne
Getting ready to make this right now for a friend's birthday. But...I noticed you didn't list baking powder/soda? Is that correct? Thank you!
Marye Audet
That is correct. 🙂
Annette
Rather than dusting the pan with flour, could you dust with an extra packet of strawberry koolaid so the cake wouldn't have the white flour on the outside when removed from the pan?
Marye Audet
It would make it too tangy for my tastes but I imagine you could? I've never had the problem of the flour sticking. Just don't use much.