No Bake Strawberry Cake

This airy strawberry cloud cake turns three basic ingredients into a super light, fluffy treat that's incredibly soft. It melts right in your mouth with each strawberry-infused bite, making it ideal when you're craving something sweet but don't want the heaviness you get from regular cakes.

I came up with this cloud cake while looking for a lighter dessert that would hit my sweet spot without making me feel stuffed. These days it's what I always make when I'm having friends over in summer and want to finish the meal with something that won't weigh everyone down.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries: They bring natural sweetness and that gorgeous color. Go for fully red ones without white patches to get the tastiest results.
• Unsweetened applesauce: This gives your cake body and moisture with no added fat. The light apple taste works really well with the strawberry flavor.
• Unflavored gelatin powder: This is the secret that turns our simple mix into something cloud-like. The Knox brand always does the job right.

How To Make Strawberry Cloud Cake

Prepare the pan:

Put parchment paper in an 8 or 9 inch square pan, letting it hang over the sides so you can lift the cake out later. Make sure it covers the bottom and sides completely for easy removal.

Create the puree:

Mix strawberries and applesauce in a blender until you get a smooth, even pink liquid. You shouldn't see any strawberry chunks when you're done.

Add gelatin:

Pour the puree into a heat-safe bowl and scatter gelatin across the top. Stir well until it's all mixed in. You'll notice the mixture gets thicker and a bit lumpy from the gelatin.

Dissolve the gelatin:

Make a double boiler by putting your bowl over a pot with simmering water, keeping the bowl from touching the water. Heat gently until the gelatin fully dissolves and the mixture turns runny again. It should feel warm but not hot. Let it cool down for about 10 minutes.

Whip to perfection:

Put the cooled mixture in your stand mixer with the whisk attached. Run it on the highest setting for a full 15 minutes. You'll see an amazing change as it grows four times bigger and looks like fluffy whipped cream. When you lift the whisk, soft peaks should form.

Set the cake:

Put the fluffy mixture in your lined pan, spread it out evenly and smooth the top. Stick it in the fridge for at least an hour until it's fully set.

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The plain gelatin really makes this dessert work. I found out what it can do after trying lots of no-bake desserts. When you heat it right and whip it thoroughly, it creates tiny air bubbles all through the mix, giving you that amazing cloud-like texture that makes this dessert so special.

Storage Tips

Always keep this cloud cake in the fridge since it starts to collapse at room temperature. Put any leftovers in a sealed container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. Don't try freezing it though - when it thaws out, the delicate structure breaks down and turns watery.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your cake won't fluff up right, check that you're using plain applesauce and fresh berries. Too much sugar or water from frozen berries can stop it from getting airy. Also make sure your gelatin has completely melted before whipping and don't cut the whipping time short - you need the full 15 minutes on high speed to get enough air in there.

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Creative Variations

Strawberries make a lovely pink cloud cake but other fruits work too. Maybe try raspberries for stronger berry flavor or peaches for a gentle summer taste. Just remember some fruits aren't as sweet, so you might need to add a little sweetener. For a holiday twist, put in a tiny bit of peppermint extract and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this cloud cake cold with a small spoonful of lightly sweetened whipped cream and some fresh strawberry slices on top. To make it look fancier, blend strawberries with a touch of sugar to make a sauce and drizzle it around each plate. This dessert goes great with champagne or prosecco for special times, or a nice cup of herbal tea for everyday treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is this dessert so fluffy?

Whipping strawberries, applesauce, and gelatin together creates a light, creamy texture that feels like whipped cream when chilled.

→ Can I swap fresh strawberries with frozen ones?

Fresh berries work best since frozen ones have too much water, which stops the fluffing process.

→ How long should I chill this in the fridge?

Let it sit for at least an hour, but if you can make it the night before, the texture will be even better.

→ Can I use other fruits instead?

Sure! Try blueberries or similar fruits, but keep in mind that the texture and look might change. Adding food dye can brighten the color.

→ Is it okay to sweeten the batter?

Skip adding sweeteners—they can ruin the fluff! Instead, add sweet toppings or frosting later.