How To Stop Strawberries From Bleeding On Cake

If you are making a cake and you want to put strawberries on top, you are most likely wondering how to keep them from bleeding. Luckily, we have researched all the tips and tricks so you can address this strawberry cake issue.

Although it's not likely that you will stop strawberries from bleeding onto a cake completely, there are some things you can try. First, we recommend trying not to oversoak your fruit.

You should also slice strawberries thinly before adding them to a cake. Furthermore, brushing on a layer of preserves can stop excess bleeding.

Continue reading to learn more about whether or not you should put fresh strawberries on top of a cake and how long fresh strawberries will last. With that said, let's dive into this topic!

Can You Put Fresh Strawberries On Top Of A Cake?

Yes, you absolutely can put fresh strawberries on top of a cake. This is the preferred method for cakes that are topped with strawberries. However, the thing to be wary of is how much the strawberries will bleed on your cake.

Getting the timing right is crucial to ending up with the best strawberry-topped dessert.

Generally, putting fresh strawberries on a cake is pleasing to the eyes. The color of the strawberries, mainly when used with a cream cheese frosting or white frosting, really stands out. Frozen strawberries have the potential to become soft when they thaw because the water and juice inside of them freeze and expand.

This leads to the strawberries bleeding onto your cake. Fresh strawberries are less likely to do that. An arguably equally delicious alternative to topping your cake with fresh strawberries is to mix fresh strawberries into your buttercream or frosting.

This still results in the flavor of fresh strawberries without the concern of strawberries bleeding onto the cake. You can add pureed strawberries to your cake mix as long as you do not overdo it so that it is not wet.

Is It Better To Use Fresh Or Frozen Strawberries For A Cake?

Overall, it is better to use fresh strawberries rather than frozen ones. Frozen strawberries also tend to become soggy when wholly thawed and are better for smoothies than dessert.

Additionally, strawberries that have been frozen have more moisture in them because of the water molecules that form during the freezing process.

Frozen strawberries/fruit, in general, has a different texture than fresh fruit. This is why frozen fruit is preferred for strawberries but not for us to let thaw and eat straight out of a bowl. Another reason to avoid using frozen fruit is that the color of the strawberries does not stay as vibrant.

Stick to fresh berries if you do not want your strawberries to bleed onto your cake.

When you bake with frozen fruit, there is not much noticeable difference in texture. In this case, though, fresh strawberries are always better on top of a cake than frozen or newly thawed berries. Frozen fruit leaks out juices and water as it thaws, so it is not the ideal choice.

What Other Ways Can I Prevent Strawberries From Bleeding On My Cake?

Most people want to know how to prevent strawberries from bleeding on a cake simply because it is more aesthetically pleasing. This is not done for taste but more to make it look good. It depends on who you are baking for what lengths you are willing to go to prevent this.

One way to prevent strawberries from bleeding on your cake is to place the thinly sliced strawberries onto a sheet of wax paper. Try this for about ten minutes, then turn them over for ten more minutes before adding them to your cake.

This should allow any excess moisture to be released while not so much time that the strawberries dry out too much. Instead of rinsing your strawberries with water, you can use a damp paper towel to wipe them down.

Furthermore, this needs to be done to each strawberry but is worth it if you can not wait until the last minute to add them on top of your cake. Gently wiping them down prevents water from soaking into the strawberries and the cake.

When you cut into strawberries, you expose their center, which is the part that contains strawberry juice. If your strawberries get sugar on them, whether whole or sliced, the sugar will automatically cause the berry to break down. This causes strawberries to bleed more than they do naturally.

How Long Do Fresh Strawberries Last On A Cake?

Typically, fresh strawberries on a cake only last about one or two days before they begin to wilt, change in texture and color, and become slimy. Glazed strawberries or strawberries with jam will last longer than fresh strawberries without the glaze.

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You can make a glaze for your strawberries in various ways. A light spritz of lemon juice will make your strawberries last longer. Adding glaze will preserve your strawberries, making them last longer than they would otherwise, but you do not want to overdo it or bleed onto your cake even worse.

A mixture of sugar, cornstarch, and fruit juice is another way to make a glaze for your strawberries.

It's good to keep your fresh strawberries whole until you add them to your cake. If you do not wash them ahead of time, water will not have time to soak through. This is important because the strawberries are less likely to bleed if freshly cut.

Fresh strawberries should be kept cold and dry.

You can make strawberries last longer in the fridge by removing and discarding any damaged fruit, such as bruising or mold. The faster you get rid of a moldy strawberry, the more likely you will stop the mold from spreading to the other strawberries.

Fresh strawberries last the longest when kept in a crisper drawer but do not wash them before placing them back into the refrigerator. Rinse them right before you eat them rather than ahead of time.

Do I Need To Refrigerate A Cake With Fresh Strawberries?

Yes, it would be best always to refrigerate a cake with fresh strawberries. If your strawberry cake includes whipped topping, also known as whipped cream, it should not be left out at room temperature for any longer than it takes to serve it, then put it back into the refrigerator.

This is how to ensure it will stay fresh and good for the longest amount of time possible.

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How Do You Put Strawberries On Top Of A Cake?

After you slice your strawberries into thin pieces, which means about 1/8 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch thick. Next, you place the strawberries down one by one with the bottom of the strawberry or the point of the strawberry facing outward.

This provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Continue to layer the strawberries around the cake and in layers until the top of the cake is covered.

Lastly, you should use a basting brush to spread a thin layer of preserves over the strawberries. This will give them a nice shine and make them last longer than they would otherwise.

Seedless raspberry preserves work best with strawberries because they are similar to each other in color and because doing so will prevent your strawberries from becoming dried out.

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Furthermore, the best way to prevent strawberries from bleeding on a cake is by waiting to put them on until right before serving. If you are in a time crunch and need to prepare your strawberries on top of your cake sooner than later, that's okay.

Just remember, it will taste amazing no matter if the strawberries bleed or not.

To Wrap Up

There are a few ways to prevent strawberries from bleeding onto your cake. One way is by not over-soaking them because any excess liquid will bleed.

Another way to stop them from bleeding is to slice them thinly. The best way to prevent this is to wait until you are getting ready to serve the cake before adding the strawberries. Keep your strawberries cold until it is time to eat them.

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