Sure! Here’s a full, detailed and romanticized long-form recipe for a Butter-Rich Strawberry Jam Layer Cake, complete with a heartfelt introduction, rich history, detailed steps, and a sweet conclusion fit for cake lovers everywhere.
Butter-Rich Strawberry Jam Layer Cake
Introduction: A Love Letter to Cake
There are few desserts that can rival the simple elegance and nostalgia of a butter-rich, jam-filled layer cake. This particular recipe is a celebration of timeless flavors—pillowy vanilla cake, glistening strawberry jam, and clouds of luscious buttercream frosting. It’s the kind of cake you bake not just for a party, but for the people you love. It’s the centerpiece of birthdays, anniversaries, and Sunday afternoons spent with laughter and warm drinks.
This cake is more than just flour and sugar—it’s a formation of memories, a layered expression of comfort and joy. Let us walk through the romantic tale of how this cake comes together.
History of the Layer Cake
Layer cakes have a storied history, dating back to 19th-century Europe where they were considered a luxurious dessert for the wealthy. With time and the advent of baking powder and affordable ovens, they became a cherished staple in American households. The combination of jam and sponge dates back even further—Victorian tea times often featured simple sponge cakes layered with fruit preserves.
In this modern version, we elevate the humble jam cake with a rich butter base, tangy sour cream for depth, and a frosting so smooth it practically floats. The result is a cake that tastes like tradition but feels like love.
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
For the Filling
- 1 1/4 cups strawberry jam or preserves (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Decorations
- Fresh strawberries, halved
- Swirls of extra frosting
- Spoonfuls of extra jam
Method: The Art of Layered Love
Step 1: Preparing the Cake Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal. This is the foundation of your creation—treat it with care.
Step 2: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup of butter with 2 cups of sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for 3–5 minutes, until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and full of air. This step sets the tone for a light, buttery crumb.
Step 3: Adding Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. The eggs bind everything together—think of them as the glue of this love story.
Step 4: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. This trio brings structure, lift, and balance.
Step 5: Bringing It All Together
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with whole milk and sour cream. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Gently fold or mix until just combined—overmixing is the enemy of tenderness.
Step 6: Baking the Layers
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Assembling the Masterpiece
Step 7: Making the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat 1 cup of butter until creamy. Gradually add 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar, 2–3 tablespoons of cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat for about 4–5 minutes, until the frosting is smooth, airy, and easily spreadable. Add a bit more cream if it feels too stiff.
Step 8: Filling with Jam
Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Spread a generous layer of strawberry jam over the top—don’t be shy. Let it ooze to the edges a little. This layer is the sweet, sticky heart of the cake.
Step 9: Frosting the Cake
Top with the second cake layer. Using an offset spatula or butter knife, frost the top and sides of the cake with your buttercream. Start with a thin crumb coat if you want a cleaner finish, then add a thicker layer all over.
Step 10: Decorating (With Love)
Decorate the top with swirls of extra frosting, fresh strawberries, and dollops of jam if desired. Let your artistic side take the lead—this cake is as much about visual joy as it is about taste.
Formation and Texture: A Cake with Soul
What you get is a perfectly balanced dessert: the cake is rich and buttery, with a tender crumb thanks to the sour cream and milk. The jam layer adds a burst of brightness and fruitiness that cuts through the richness. The frosting is soft, silky, and just sweet enough to wrap everything together in a buttery embrace.
Lovers of Cake, Unite
This cake is for lovers: lovers of butter, lovers of jam, lovers of life. It’s for the ones who still believe in baking from scratch, in licking beaters, and in slicing thick wedges of cake without apology. Serve it at weddings, picnics, birthdays—or on an ordinary day that just needs something sweet.
Conclusion: A Slice of Happiness
This Butter-Rich Strawberry Jam Layer Cake is more than just dessert—it’s a feeling. It brings smiles, kindles nostalgia, and invites conversation. Whether you’re baking it for someone special or treating yourself, this cake promises joy in every forkful.
So light the candles, pour some tea or champagne, and cut yourself a generous slice. The cake—and the love baked into it—is all yours.
Want a printable version or want me to help with variations (like chocolate or lemon twists)? Just say the word!