If you’re looking for a light, fluffy, and refreshing dessert, the 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake is your perfect match! This simple and quick treat is like eating a cloud—delicate, airy, and with a burst of natural strawberry flavor. With no baking required, it’s the perfect dessert for hot days or when you’re craving something sweet but light.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Minimal Ingredients: Only three ingredients are needed to make this delectable dessert.
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No Baking Required: It’s perfect for those hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
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Light and Fluffy: The cake is incredibly light, airy, and not overly sweet—making it a perfect refreshing treat.
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Quick to Prepare: With only 25 minutes of prep time, you’ll have this dessert ready to set in the fridge and chill.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup (77 g) chopped fresh strawberries (chopped into 1/2 inch cubes)
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1 1/3 cups (313 g) unsweetened applesauce
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4 1/2 tsp (15 g) unflavored gelatin powder
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
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Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with a large sheet of parchment paper. The single sheet will allow you to easily lift the cake out once it’s set.
Step 2: Blend the Strawberries and Applesauce
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Add the chopped strawberries and applesauce into a blender. Blend on high speed until the strawberries are fully pureed and the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
Step 3: Add Gelatin
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Pour the strawberry-applesauce puree into a large heat-proof mixing bowl.
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Sprinkle gelatin powder across the surface of the mixture and whisk until fully incorporated. The gelatin will help thicken the mixture and create that cloud-like texture.
Step 4: Dissolve the Gelatin
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Using the double boiler method, dissolve the gelatin. Gently heat the mixture until the gelatin fully dissolves, ensuring the mixture becomes thinner and more liquid. Avoid boiling the mixture—just warm it up until you can feel warmth when touching it.
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Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
Step 5: Whisk the Mixture
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Pour the cooled mixture into a stand mixer bowl. Using the wire whisk attachment, whisk on high speed for about 15 minutes. The mixture will quadruple in volume and develop a fluffy, whipped-cream-like texture.
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When done, the wire whisk should hold a soft peak.
Step 6: Set the Cake
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Pour the fluffy mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface using a spatula.
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Place the pan into the fridge and let it set for at least 1 hour, or preferably, overnight.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
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Once set, gently lift the cake out of the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into 12 pieces.
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You can garnish with whipped cream or a few extra fresh strawberries if desired.
Notes
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Make Ahead: This cake works best when made ahead of time. It needs a few hours to set, so plan to make it the day before you want to serve it.
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Fresh Strawberries: For the best flavor, use fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries may have too much moisture, affecting the fluffiness of the cake.
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No Sweetened Applesauce: Be sure to use unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened applesauce can interfere with the texture and prevent the cake from fluffing up properly.
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Flavor Variations: While strawberry is the star of this recipe, you can try other fruits like blueberries or mango. Just be aware that the texture and color might change slightly.
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Optional Whipped Cream Frosting: If you want to add a rich topping, whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of sugar until stiff peaks form. This adds a creamy contrast to the lightness of the cloud cake.
FAQ
Can I use sweetened applesauce for this recipe?
It’s best to use unsweetened applesauce for this recipe, as sweetened applesauce may affect the texture and make the cake too sweet.
How do I make the cake more flavorful?
You can experiment by adding vanilla extract or a little lemon juice to enhance the flavor. For a different texture, try using different fruits, though be mindful of moisture levels.
How long will the cake keep?
This cake can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, enjoy it within 1-2 days as the texture may begin to change after longer storage.
Can I make this cake with other fruits besides strawberries?
Yes! While strawberries work best in this recipe, you can try using other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or mangoes. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor might vary slightly depending on the fruit.
This No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake is an incredibly easy yet impressive dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Its light, airy texture and refreshing flavor make it a standout dish.
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3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
Description
This 3 Ingredient No-Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake is the ultimate light and fluffy dessert that will melt in your mouth! It’s easy to make, requires no baking, and is perfect for any occasion. With just three ingredients, this cake is a refreshing, light treat that feels like a cloud.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (77g) chopped strawberries (chopped into 1/2-inch cubes)
1 1/3 cups (313g) unsweetened applesauce
4 1/2 teaspoons (15g) unflavored gelatin powder
Instructions
Prepare the Pan:
Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with a large sheet of parchment paper. Ensure the sheet is large enough to cover the sides and bottom of the pan so you can easily lift the cake out later.
Blend the Strawberries and Applesauce:
In a blender, combine chopped strawberries and unsweetened applesauce. Blend on high speed until the strawberries are fully pureed, and the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
Incorporate Gelatin:
Pour the strawberry-applesauce puree into a large heat-proof mixing bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin powder over the surface and whisk until the gelatin is fully incorporated. You’ll notice the mixture thickening and becoming chunkier as the gelatin absorbs the liquid.
Dissolve the Gelatin:
Use the double boiler method to dissolve the gelatin completely. To do this, place the bowl with the mixture over simmering water (making sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir gently until the gelatin dissolves, and the mixture becomes thinner. Be sure it doesn’t boil—keep it warm but not hot. Once dissolved, remove from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes.
Whisk the Mixture:
Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the wire whisk attachment, beat on the highest speed for about 15 minutes. The mixture should increase in volume, becoming airy and fluffy, almost like whipped cream. When you stop the mixer, the wire whisk should hold a soft peak.
Set the Cake:
Pour the fluffy mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth it evenly across the surface. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set the cake. It will firm up as it chills.
Serve and Decorate:
Keep the cake in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Before serving, you can top the cake with whipped cream frosting or any frosting of your choice (optional).
Optional Whipped Cream Frosting (if desired)
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1 cup cold heavy cream
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3 tbsp sugar (or sweetener of your choice)
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, add heavy cream and sugar.
Beat on the highest speed until stiff peaks form. Adjust sweetness to taste by adding more sugar or a sugar substitute like stevia.
Spread the frosting on top of the cake before serving.
Notes
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Make Ahead: This dessert is perfect for preparing in advance! Make it the night before, and let it chill in the fridge overnight to set completely.
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Strawberry Substitutes: Fresh blueberries can also be used in place of strawberries, but note that the texture might not be as fluffy, and the color will be a grayish purple. Adding 1 tsp of food coloring can help if you choose blueberries.
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Sweetness: This cake is very low in calories and sugar. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, you can add a sweet frosting or use sweetened applesauce (though this may affect the fluffiness). Make sure to use unsweetened applesauce for best results.
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Storage: Store leftover cake in the fridge for up to 5 days.
