If you love comforting desserts, you will love this Strawberry Pudding Cake! This magical recipe separates into two layers of deliciousness as it cooks, making a tender cake with a layer of fruity sauce underneath.
Here in the UK, we love sponge cakes or steamed sponges with fruity or sweet sauces – Sticky Toffee Pudding, Jam Sponge and Lemon Steamed Pudding are all extremely popular over here. However Strawberry Pudding Cake’s origins are very likely more North American.
When I was a child in Canada I remember a packaged cake mix made by Robin Hood brand that had a sauce you poured over the cake batter. The layers then separated in the same way I described above – cake with sauce underneath. I also make a more complicated homemade Lemon Sponge Pudding from my Grandmother’s recipe which separated into a light cake layer on top and a sweet/tart citrus sauce layer underneath. Having said that, my Grandmother did come from England. Our cultural food history gets so blended up sometimes it is hard to say conclusively where anything actually originates from.
The Pollan Family Table Review
This Strawberry Pudding Cake is adapted from the Raspberry Pudding Cake recipe in one of my favourite cookbooks of the moment, The Pollan Family Table. Next to The Magical Slow Cooker, it’s the cookbook I have used most this year. I love how the Pollan family have shared a bit of their family life in pictures alongside the recipes in this comprehensive and helpful tome. There is lots of practical advice on basic cooking and pantry skills along with recipes suitable for all levels of cooking expertise. If you are not a confident cook, this book will empower you. If you are a confident cook, it will excite you! As well as the Pollan’s Raspberry Pudding Cake, I’ve made their Citrus Roasted Chicken with Grand Mariner several times and Aunt Mary’s Grand Mariner Orange Cake recipe twice. I can’t wait to try more recipes from this wonderful book!
As well as this Strawberry variation on the Pollan’s Raspberry Pudding Cake, I have made a blueberry version which is equally well loved in our family. Frankly, the reason I am blogging the strawberry one is that it photographed better. Like so many amazing desserts, pudding cakes taste delicious but they are not really very beautiful to look at!
If you try this recipe, you will definitely understand why Raspberry, Blueberry and Strawberry Pudding Cakes have become regular features on our menu, particularly when we are entertaining. Served with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream alongside, they are fast becoming one of the most requested desserts around the Harris family table!
Strawberry Pudding Cake – Printable Recipe
Strawberry Pudding Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly, plus extra for greasing
- ¾ cup granulated or caster sugar divided
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1½ cups washed and sliced strawberries
- ½ cup good strawberry jam
- 1 cup all-purpose plain flour
- 1¾ tablespoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk I use 2% or half fat milk
- 1 teaspoon almond flavouring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C or 170°C for a fan oven).
- Grease a 9 inch (23 cm) square pan with a bit of butter.
- Ina small saucepan over low heat, stir ¼ cup of the sugar, the water, lemon juice and cornstarch together.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Add the fruit and jam and cook, stirring, for 3 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat and set aside to cool a little.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and the remaining ½ cup sugar together in a medium size mixing bowl.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, slightly cooled melted butter and almond flavouring.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the large bowl.
- Stir just until well combined.
- Spread the batter in the baking pan.
- Carefully pour the strawberry sauce over top. (Don't panic at how this looks, it will all work out!)
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and cool for at least t 5 minutes (or you will burn your mouth on the sauce!).
- Serve warm in individual bowls with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream on the side.
Notes
More Comforting Dessert Recipes
Chocolate and Blueberry Pudding Cake
I think strawberry cake has to be my favorite cake of all time. Great recipe, thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Paul.
I would definitely looooooooooove a big piece of this cake. It looks and sounds delicious! I love fruit-cakes, especially with strawberry 🙂
Thank you so much, Winnie! I wish I could share a piece with you 🙂
Just in time for strawberry season. Yum!
Thank you, Nancy. It really is perfect for this time of year!
This would be perfect with my coffee right now. Looks delicious.
Thank you, Janette! It really is lovely with a hot drink 🙂
April, your cake looks luscious! Too bad strawberry season is over in Florida, but I’m sure it will still be delicious! I would like to try your blueberry version as well!
Thank you so much, Linda 🙂
Such a delicious and fun sounding idea for a treat; I am loving this strawberry creation April!
Thank you, Dan!
Now this is my kind of cake, April! I will definitely be making soon! Looks so scrumptious! Pinning!
I’m so glad you like it, Hadia! Thank you for pinning it 🙂
This cake sounds so wonderful!! I love this type of recipe… perfect for dessert or breakfast in my book!
Thank you, Angela 🙂 It really is lovely for breakfast – I often reheat it if there is any left 🙂
Dear April, this cake sounds like a wonderful treat. Perfect with tea or coffee. xo, Catherine
Thank you, Catherine xo
I love strawberries and sounds like a wonderful cake April! Pinned and shared!
Thank you, Joanne! I’m so glad you like it! Thank you for sharing too 🙂
This looks delectable, April! Such a beautiful cake and the addition of strawberries are perfect for summer gathering or picnics!
Thank you, Florian!
Wow! That looks incredible. I’m so impressed. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you stopping by to party with us. We hope to see you, tonight at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you and Happy Monday to you too!