Hey there! Today, I’m so excited to share something truly magical with you: the 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake. Seriously, it’s a game-changer! I’m Daniel, and I started Reciqa because I believe that amazing food doesn’t need to be complicated. For me, cooking has always been about bringing people together, finding comfort in simple flavors, and making memories. This recipe totally embodies that spirit!
It’s light, airy, and tastes like a dream, but the best part? It’s ridiculously easy and made with just a handful of ingredients – no flour, no eggs, no added sugar, butter, or oil. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both incredibly delicious and wonderfully guilt-free, you’ve found your match. Get ready to float away on a cloud of strawberry goodness!
Why You’ll Love This 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
This cake is seriously a dream come true for anyone craving something sweet but wanting to keep it light and healthy. You’re going to adore how simple it is to whip up, and the fact that it’s so good for you makes it even better!
- Incredibly simple with only 3 ingredients
- Perfectly light and airy texture
- A totally guilt-free, healthy treat
- Deliciously refreshing strawberry flavor
Quick and Effortless Preparation
Honestly, putting this cake together takes hardly any time at all. You just blend, heat, whisk, and chill. It’s the perfect recipe for when you need a sweet fix without spending hours in the kitchen.
Guilt-Free Indulgence
This is where it really shines! With no flour, eggs, added sugar, butter, or oil, it’s incredibly low in calories and sugar. It’s the kind of dessert you can enjoy without any of the usual worries.
Gathering Your Simple Ingredients for 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
The beauty of this cake is its simplicity! You only need three main things to make this fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Seriously, it’s almost unbelievable how few ingredients can create something so delightful. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen wizard. We’re talking about fresh strawberries, unsweetened applesauce, and unflavored gelatin. That’s it! No fuss, no complicated pantry raid. Let’s get these simple wonders together.
Essential Components
For the magic to happen, you’ll need:
| Strawberries: 1/2 cup (77 g), chopped. Make sure they’re fresh, not frozen, for the best fluffy result! |
| Unsweetened Applesauce: 1 1/3 cups (313 g). This is key – unsweetened is a must for the texture and lightness. |
| Unflavored Gelatin Powder: 4 1/2 tsp (15 g). Knox is a great brand to use here; it works like a charm. |
Optional Enhancements
While the cake is absolutely divine on its own, you *can* jazz it up if you like! A little swirl of whipped cream frosting on top takes it to another level, especially if you’re serving it for a special occasion. You can make your own with heavy cream and a touch of sweetener, or even use something like Cool Whip. Just remember, these are totally optional additions and not part of the core three!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
Alright, let’s get this magic happening! Making this cloud cake is surprisingly straightforward, and honestly, part of the fun is watching it transform. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a beautiful, airy dessert in no time. It’s all about a little bit of blending, a little bit of gentle heating, and a whole lot of whisking!
Preparing the Base
First things first, let’s get your pan ready. You’ll want to line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. Make sure it covers the bottom and goes up the sides – this is going to make getting your cake out later SO much easier. Then, grab your fresh strawberries and unsweetened applesauce. Pop them into a blender and whiz them up until they’re perfectly smooth. No chunks allowed for this cloud!
Incorporating the Gelatin
Now, pour that lovely strawberry-applesauce puree into a heat-proof bowl. Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin powder evenly over the top. Give it a good whisk until it’s all mixed in. This step is important so you don’t get any powdery bits later. Next, we’re going to gently heat this mixture. The best way is using a double boiler. We just want to warm it up enough to totally dissolve the gelatin. It should get thinner and warm, but definitely not hot! Once it’s dissolved, let it cool down on the counter for about 10 minutes.
Achieving the Cloud-Like Texture
This is where the real magic happens and where you get that amazing cloud texture! Transfer your slightly cooled mixture into your stand mixer bowl. Make sure you’re using the wire whisk attachment. Now, crank that mixer up to high speed. You’re going to let it whisk for about 15 minutes. Yes, 15 minutes! Don’t panic; it’s worth it. You’ll see it start to quadruple in volume, getting super airy and light, almost like whipped cream. You’re looking for a point where the whisk holds a soft peak when you lift it. It should look like fluffy white clouds!
Setting and Serving
Once you’ve achieved that incredible fluffy texture, carefully pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Gently spread it out evenly so you have a nice, smooth top. Now, pop it into the refrigerator. It needs at least an hour to set up properly. Honestly, making it the day before is even better! When you’re ready to serve, just lift it out using the parchment paper, slice it with a sharp knife, and enjoy it chilled. It’s so refreshing!
Tips for a Perfect 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
Making this cake is pretty foolproof, but a few little tips can make it truly spectacular! It’s all about paying attention to the details with these simple ingredients. Trust me, these little tricks will help you get that perfect cloud-like texture and flavor every single time.
Ingredient Specifics and Substitutions
When it comes to ingredients, fresh is best for this recipe! Always use fresh strawberries – frozen ones have too much extra water, and that can really mess with the fluffiness. And please, please, please use *unsweetened* applesauce. Sweetened stuff will prevent it from getting that airy texture we’re aiming for. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try blueberries, go for it! Just know it might not fluff up quite as much, and the color might be a bit more… well, gray-purple. You might want a drop of food coloring then!
Texture and Taste Expectations
Okay, so this cake is super unique! It’s not like a traditional dense cake. It’s incredibly light, airy, and refreshing, almost like a frozen mousse. Don’t expect it to be super sweet on its own – it’s naturally low in sugar. If you’re craving a sweeter treat, definitely add that optional frosting or a drizzle of honey on top when you serve it. That’s what the frosting is for!
Chilling and Preparation Timing
This cake absolutely *needs* its chilling time to set up properly. Seriously, don’t rush it! I actually find it’s even better if you make it the day before you plan to serve it. That gives it plenty of time to firm up so you can slice it neatly and enjoy that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
Got some questions about this airy wonder? I’ve got you covered! This recipe is pretty unique, so it’s natural to wonder about a few things. Let’s clear them up!
Can I use frozen strawberries?
While you technically *can*, I really don’t recommend it for this specific recipe. Frozen strawberries release a lot more water when they thaw, and that extra moisture can totally mess with the texture and prevent your cloud cake from getting really fluffy. Fresh is definitely the way to go here!
What if my cake doesn’t fluff up?
Oh no! The most common reason for this is using sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened, or not whisking it long enough in the stand mixer. Make sure you’re using unsweetened applesauce and let that mixer run for the full 15 minutes on high speed. You really need to see it quadruple in volume!
How sweet is this cake? Can I make it sweeter?
This 3 ingredient no bake strawberry cloud cake is naturally only as sweet as the strawberries and applesauce you use, so it’s quite low in sugar. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, absolutely! The best way is to add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or some of that optional whipped cream frosting when you serve it. That’s what the frosting is there for!
How should I store leftovers?
This cake needs to stay chilled to keep its lovely texture. Just pop any leftovers back into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within a few days to maintain that light, fluffy feel.
What kind of pan works best?
You can use either an 8-inch or a 9-inch square pan. If you use an 8-inch pan, your slices will be taller and more dramatic! A 9-inch pan will give you slightly thinner, wider slices. Both work great, just make sure you line it well with parchment paper!
Nutritional Snapshot
Just a heads-up, these numbers are for a single slice of the cake *without* any frosting or extra goodies. It’s pretty amazing how much flavor you get with so few calories and so little sugar! These are estimates, of course, but they give you a good idea of just how light this dessert is.
Estimated Nutritional Values
| Serving Size: | 1 slice |
| Calories: | 23 kcal |
| Fat: | 0.02 g |
| Carbohydrates: | 5 g |
| Sugar: | 3 g |
| Protein: | 1 g |
| Sodium: | 5 mg |
Storing and Reheating Your 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake
Since this cake is all about being light and airy, proper storage is key to keeping that lovely texture. It’s a no-bake wonder, so think chill, not heat!
Optimal Storage Conditions
You’ll want to keep this cake nice and cold. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within about 3-4 days to keep that fluffy, cloud-like consistency. Don’t leave it sitting out at room temperature for too long!
Reheating for Enjoyment
This is where it gets easy! Because it’s a no-bake cake, you don’t need to reheat it at all. In fact, you want it cold! Just take it straight from the fridge when you’re ready to serve. It’s meant to be a cool, refreshing treat, so serving it chilled is perfect.
Share Your 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake Creations!
I absolutely LOVE seeing your baking adventures! If you make this amazing 3 Ingredient No Bake Strawberry Cloud Cake, please tell me all about it in the comments below. Did you love it? Did you add frosting? Share your photos with me on social media – I can’t wait to see your beautiful creations!
Amazing 3 Ingredient Strawberry Cloud Cake Delight
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A light and airy no-bake strawberry cake made with just three ingredients. It’s flourless, eggless, and has no added sugar, butter, or oil, making it a guilt-free treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (77 g) chopped strawberries
- 1 1/3 cups (313 g) unsweetened applesauce
- 4 1/2 tsp (15 g) unflavored gelatin powder
Instructions
- Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with a single sheet of parchment paper, covering the sides and bottom.
- Combine strawberries and applesauce in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour the puree into a heat-proof bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over the surface and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Using a double boiler, gently heat the mixture to dissolve the gelatin completely. The mixture should become thinner and warm, not hot. Let it cool to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer bowl. Using the wire whisk attachment, beat on high speed for approximately 15 minutes until it quadruples in volume and resembles airy whipped cream. The whisk should hold a soft peak.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until set.
- Keep chilled until ready to serve. Decorate with frosting if desired. Slice with a sharp knife. Serve chilled. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This dessert requires chilling time, so plan accordingly. Making it a day ahead is recommended.
- Chop strawberries into 1/2 inch cubes before measuring.
- Use fresh strawberries; frozen ones contain too much moisture.
- Knox unflavored gelatin powder is recommended.
- The cake can be made in an 8 or 9-inch square pan. An 8-inch pan will result in taller slices.
- This cake has a unique texture and taste, different from traditional cakes. It’s light and refreshing.
- It is very low in calories and sugar. Add sweet frosting for a sweeter taste.
- Use unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened applesauce will prevent the cake from fluffing up.
- Blueberries can be substituted for strawberries, but may result in a less fluffy cake with a grayish-purple color. Food coloring may be desired.
- Optional whipped cream frosting: Beat 1 cup cold heavy cream with 3 tbsp sugar until stiff peaks form. Adjust sugar to taste or use sugar substitutes. Cool Whip is also an option.
- Nutrition estimates do not include frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
