Classic French Strawberry Cake Recipe – Bake at Home Easily

Experience the charm of a tranquil countryside French patisserie in the comfort of your home with this Strawberry and Peach Cake. This strawberry dessert strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and elegance. This French strawberry cake recipe is an ideal choice for casual brunches or sophisticated soirées alike. This recipe combines juicy peaches and tasty strawberries to create an amazing flavor that makes the cake bright, tangy, and delightfully sweet.

What sets this cake apart is its adaptability – it’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. You can dust it with confectioners’ sugar, serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, or just keep it simple and let it shine on its own. Treat yourself or your guests to a dessert that captures the indulgent charm of Paris. Bonus tips if you like strawberry desserts: Strawberry Oreo Cheesecake and Strawberry frozen yogurt bites.

French Strawberry Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 230 gm unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
• 220 gm all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 60 ml cold water

For the filling:

• 4 large peaches, halved, pitted, and sliced (about 250 gm)
• 100 gm fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 100 gm raspberries (optional for added tartness)
• 100 gm granulated sugar (reserve 20 gm for sprinkling)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• 60 gm unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten (for the crust)
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Process

1. Prepare the crust:

• Combine the butter, flour, and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is basically coarse crumbs.
• Add the cold water and pulse until the dough starts to come together.
• Divide the dough into six equal portions, shape into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling:

• In a medium bowl, toss the peach slices and strawberries with the granulated sugar (reserving 20 gm), cornstarch, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold in the raspberries, if using.

3. Assemble the cakes:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line two baking trays with parchment paper or lightly grease them.
• Roll out each dough disc on a floured surface into a 6-inch (15 cm) round about 3 mm thick.
• Arrange the fruit filling in the center of each round, leaving a 2 cm border. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling to create a rustic rim.
• Top the fruit filling with small pieces of butter and refrigerate the assembled cakes for 20 minutes to firm up.

4. Bake the cakes:

• Brush the crust edges with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the reserved sugar.
• Bake at 190°C for 40–45 minutes or until the crusts are golden and the filling is bubbly, rotating the trays halfway through.
• Allow the cakes to cool on wire racks for 20 minutes.

5. Serve:

• Dust the cakes with confectioners' sugar just before serving. Pair with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

We'll share with you a few tips so you can champion the recipe and make it at home with ease. Use strawberries and peaches that are perfectly ripe but not overly soft. This ensures a sweet, juicy filling without making the crust soggy. Depending on the ripeness of your fruit, you can tweak the sugar quantity to suit your taste.

Cold butter is key to achieving a flaky crust. If the butter starts to soften while mixing, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes before continuing. After preparing the dough, always refrigerate it to relax the gluten. This step makes it easier to roll out and prevents shrinking during baking. Sprinkle a thin layer of ground almonds, semolina, or breadcrumbs on the base before adding the fruit. This creates a barrier and soaks up excess juices.

Brushing the crust with egg wash adds a golden, glossy finish—don’t skip this step. Finally, the dough can be made a day in advance and refrigerated, saving time on the day of baking.

This cake will be a hit because it blends the slightly tangy and sweet flavor of the lovely fruits with the soft, buttery crust. For an even more indulgent variation, drizzle a hint of balsamic glaze over the strawberries before baking—it elevates the fruit's natural sweetness with a subtle depth. Perfect for celebrations or as an everyday treat, this cake is rustic French baking at its finest!