Drake’s Hollywood Inspired Strawberry Cake

When I saw this gorgeous cake circulate on social media, I had to recreate it for Christmas. It’s too beautiful to resist and absolutely delicious. I used a cake ring and acetate to form and stack the layers but you don’t have to!

Here’s an ultra-decadent strawberry cake inspired by the famous Drake’s Hollywood strawberry cake— soft pink layers, real strawberry flavor (not artificial), and a lush strawberry buttercream. Gorgeous vibrant red and perfect for the holidays

Tender strawberry layers • strawberry soak • silky strawberry buttercream

What makes this cake special

• Uses real strawberries reduced into a concentrated purée

• Reverse-creamed batter for a tight, plush crumb

• A light strawberry milk soak for moisture and flavor

• A not-too-sweet buttercream that tastes like fresh berries

Strawberry Purée (Do This First)

You’ll use this in the cake, soak, and frosting.

Ingredients

• 2 lb fresh strawberries, hulled

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

1. Blend strawberries until smooth.

2. Cook purée, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat until thick and reduced to about 1½ cups (20–25 minutes).

3. Cool completely.

   
   

   Flavor should be bold and jammy — not watery.

Strawberry Cake Layers

Makes three 8-inch layers or two tall 8-inch layers

Ingredients

• 3 cups cake flour

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ¾ tsp fine sea salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, very soft

• ¾ cup strawberry purée (cooled)

• ½ cup whole milk, room temp

• ½ cup sour cream, room temp

• 4 large egg whites, room temp

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• A drop or two soft pink food color (optional)

Method

1. Heat oven to 325°F. Line pans with parchment.

2. In mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Add butter and mix on low until texture resembles damp sand.

4. Whisk purée, milk, sour cream, egg whites, and vanilla.

5. Add wet ingredients in 3 additions, mixing just until smooth.

6. Divide evenly and bake 30–35 minutes, until center springs back.

7. Cool completely.

   
   

Strawberry Milk Soak

Ingredients

• ½ cup whole milk

• ¼ cup strawberry purée

• 1 tbsp sugar

Whisk together. Lightly brush each cake layer after cooling.

Silky Strawberry Buttercream

Light, smooth, and intensely strawberry

Ingredients

• 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temp

• 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted

• ½–¾ cup strawberry purée

• 1 tsp vanilla

• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Whip butter until pale and fluffy (4–5 minutes).

2. Add powdered sugar gradually.

3. Beat in purée, vanilla, and salt until silky and spreadable.

4. Chill briefly if needed for clean edges.

Assembly (Drake’s-Style Look)

1. Level cake layers.

2. Brush generously with strawberry soak.

3. Fill with thick buttercream layers.

4. Apply a smooth pink crumb coat and chill.

5. Finish with a flawless final coat — sleek, tall, and luxurious.

6. Optional garnish: fresh strawberries or a subtle sheen glaze.

   
   

Pro Bakery Tips

• Low oven temp = tender crumb (this is key).

• The flavor should be strawberries-and-cream, not candy.

• For extra decadence, add a thin strawberry jam layer between cakes.

• Chill cake before slicing for perfect bakery cuts.