Strawberry Milkshake Pound Cake

One rainy afternoon, the power flickered just enough to leave the house quiet and still, and the only sound was the soft tapping of raindrops against the kitchen window. I reached for a worn recipe notebook and noticed a pink-smudged page tucked between much more “serious” recipes.

It was a scribbled idea for a strawberry milkshake pound cake, inspired by a day when my children were small and everything felt brighter with a simple sweet treat.

The kitchen slowly filled with the sound of a wooden spoon against the bowl and the faint hum of the oven warming up. As the batter came together, pale and creamy, then blushed with soft pink swirls, the entire room seemed to wake up. The scent of butter and sugar drifted down the hallway and quietly pulled everyone closer, even without a word spoken.

By the time the cake was in the oven, the rain had slowed, but the warmth stayed. That deep, steady baking smell wrapped around the house, and suddenly the afternoon felt less like a gray pause and more like something worth savoring. Some recipes have a way of turning time softer, and this one always does that gently and without effort.

Short Description

Strawberry Milkshake Pound Cake a soft, buttery pound cake marbled with strawberry milkshake flavor, finished with a light vanilla glaze for a sweet and nostalgic dessert that feels both playful and homemade.

Key Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup strawberry milkshake mix or strawberry flavored drink mix
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pink or red food coloring, optional

For the optional glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tbsp milk
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring, optional

Tools Needed

• Bundt pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Skewer or butter knife
• Wire cooling rack

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 325°F 160°C. Grease a bundt pan generously with butter and dust it with flour, tapping out the excess. This prevents sticking and helps the cake release cleanly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside so it is ready to blend smoothly into the batter.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture looks pale, fluffy, and slightly glossy. This step traps air and gives the cake its tender texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and continue mixing until the batter looks smooth and silky.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined. If the batter looks too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until smooth.

Step 6: Flavor and Color the Batter
Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. In one bowl, stir in the strawberry milkshake mix and a few drops of food coloring if using. Leave the second bowl plain for the vanilla layer.

Step 7: Create the Marbled Layers
Spoon alternating dollops of strawberry and vanilla batter into the prepared bundt pan. Use a skewer or butter knife to gently swirl through the batter. Stop while the colors are still visible to avoid over blending.

Step 8: Bake the Cake
Bake at 325°F 160°C for 60 to 70 minutes. The top should be golden and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 9: Cool the Cake
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully turn it out onto a wire rack and let it cool completely before glazing.

Step 10: Make the Optional Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until smooth and pourable. Add a small drop of pink food coloring if desired. Drizzle gently over the cooled cake.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, buttery texture with a gentle strawberry flavor

Made with simple pantry ingredients

Beautiful marbled look without complicated steps

Perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or afternoon treats

Easy to adjust sweetness and color

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overmixing the batter
This can make the cake dense and tough instead of light and tender.
Solution: Mix only until ingredients are just combined and stop as soon as the flour disappears.

Dry cake texture
Overbaking or too much flour can cause dryness.
Solution: Check the cake at 60 minutes and use the spoon and level method when measuring flour.

Sticking to the pan
An ungreased or poorly floured pan can cause the cake to tear.
Solution: Grease every crevice of the bundt pan and lightly flour before adding the batter.

Faded strawberry color
Not enough drink mix or coloring can lead to pale swirls.
Solution: Use the full ½ cup of strawberry mix and add a few drops of food coloring if a brighter marble is desired.

Runny glaze
Too much liquid makes the glaze slide off the cake.
Solution: Add milk slowly, one teaspoon at a time, until the glaze is thick but pourable.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve as a dessert centerpiece on a cake stand

Slice and plate with fresh strawberries for a bright, bakery style presentation

Pair with hot tea or coffee for a cozy treat

Serve with a glass of cold milk for a classic combination

Present family style for casual gatherings

Add to a dessert buffet alongside light, fruit based treats

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days

Refrigerate for longer storage for up to 5 days

Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying

Microwave individual slices for 10 to 15 seconds to warm

Avoid overheating to keep the crumb soft and tender

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh strawberries instead of drink mix?
Yes, but the flavor will be lighter. Use ½ cup strawberry puree and reduce the milk slightly to avoid excess moisture.

2. Can I make this cake without food coloring?
Yes, the cake will still taste wonderful, but the marbled effect will be lighter in color.

3. What size bundt pan works best?
A standard 10 to 12 cup bundt pan works perfectly for this batter.

4. Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing.

5. Can I use low fat milk?
Whole milk gives the richest texture, but low fat milk can be used with slightly less tenderness.

Tips & Tricks

Use room temperature butter, eggs, and milk for a smoother batter

Rotate the cake halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots

Tap the filled bundt pan gently on the counter to release trapped air bubbles

Add 1 extra tablespoon of drink mix for a stronger strawberry flavor

Recipe Variations

Strawberry Chocolate Swirl: Swap ¼ cup of flour for ¼ cup cocoa powder in the vanilla batter. Follow the same marbling steps for a pink and chocolate effect with a rich, bakery style flavor.

Strawberry Lemon Pound Cake: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the vanilla batter. Replace 1 tablespoon of milk with lemon juice. This creates a bright, fresh contrast to the sweet strawberry layer.

Strawberry Vanilla Almond: Replace 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract with almond extract in the plain batter. The almond adds a soft, fragrant flavor that pairs beautifully with the strawberry notes.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Glaze: Mix 4 oz softened cream cheese into the glaze with the powdered sugar. Add milk slowly until smooth. This gives a richer, slightly tangy topping.

Final Thoughts

When this cake rests on the counter, still slightly warm and glazed, it brings a sense of calm that settles into the room. Each slice carries a soft crumb and a hint of strawberry sweetness that feels gentle and familiar, perfect for quiet mornings or slow evenings.

Serving it feels like sharing a small piece of comfort, the kind that invites conversation and lingers long after the plates are cleared. It leaves the kitchen lightly scented with vanilla and strawberry, and that simple fragrance always makes the house feel fuller than before.