Dreamy Strawberry Cloud Cake

As seen in Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving.

This sweet has a soft, cloud-like bite. Juice up fresh strawberries with plain applesauce, and mix in some unflavored gelatin. Warm it together gently in a double boiler, then whip fast until it really expands, turning ultra light. Let the cool air in the fridge firm it up, then you can cut and serve cold for a breezy, fruity bite. No eggs, no flour, no oil. Pile on some whipped cream if you want to make it pop a little more!

Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Wed, 21 May 2025 14:44:43 GMT
A single cake slice topped with a fresh strawberry. Save Pin
A single cake slice topped with a fresh strawberry. | foodthingle.com

Need something light and sweet but don't want to turn on the oven? Try this dreamy strawberry cloud dessert. With just three things you probably have at home, you'll whip up a super fluffy treat that's perfect when you want cake—just without flour, eggs, or heating up the kitchen. This cool make-ahead idea is a total win for get-togethers or any time you want something chill with max flavor and hardly any effort.

I whipped this up when summer heat had me craving something fruity and cold. My family couldn't believe you could get such a cloud-soft cake with almost no fuss at all.

Ingredients

  • Unflavored gelatin powder: lets you get that signature pillowy texture; using the best you can find helps with the final set
  • Fresh strawberries: dice them up small for bright bursts of flavor and a pretty pink color; grab firm, just-ripe ones for top-notch taste
  • Unsweetened applesauce: gives a gentle sweetness and keeps everything nice and moist—stick with unsweetened or the cake could collapse

Step-by-Step Instructions

Slice and Serve:
Keep it cold right up to serving time. You can fancy it up with a dollop of whipped cream or whatever topping you love. Slice gently and enjoy straight from the fridge.
Chill to Set:
Scoop your fluffy mix into the lined pan and level it out with a spatula. Stick it in the fridge for at least an hour so it gets good and solid.
Whip the Mixture:
Once cool, move the puree to a stand mixer. Set up the whisk attachment and blast it on high for a good fifteen minutes. It’ll puff up huge and look airy-soft with soft peaks.
Dissolve Gelatin with Heat:
Use a double boiler to gently warm your mix. Keep stirring until the gelatin’s totally melted, but don’t let it heat up too much or boil. Pull it off the stove and leave out for ten minutes to cool.
Mix in the Gelatin:
Tip the strawberry-applesauce blend into a big heat-safe bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top and whisk until it thickens a bit and looks smooth.
Blend the Fruits:
Pop strawberries and applesauce in a blender and run it until you can't see any chunks and the color is even.
Prepare the Pan:
Grab an eight or nine inch square pan and line the whole thing with one big sheet of parchment—this way you can just lift your cake out when you're ready.
A slice of cake with a strawberry on top. Save Pin
A slice of cake with a strawberry on top. | foodthingle.com

I always love the strawberries most. They add all the color and a fresh berry smell that’s kind of magic. I'll never forget when my youngest took her first bite—her whole face just lit up with surprise and joy on a sunny summer day.

Storage tips

Pop this dessert in the fridge covered and it’ll be good for about three days. Because it’s bursting with fresh fruit and never baked, you really want to dive in while it’s still fresh. Always use a good container so it doesn’t soak up flavors from the fridge.

Ingredient substitutions

If you’re in the mood to try something new, you can swap in blueberries or other berries. Just know it might turn out a little less fluffy and look different. Skip frozen fruit—it gets way too watery and won’t hold together. Never use sweetened applesauce or you’ll lose the airy texture.

A slice of pink cake with a strawberry on top. Save Pin
A slice of pink cake with a strawberry on top. | foodthingle.com

Serving suggestions

This treat tastes amazing on its own, but you can make it party-worthy with a swirl of whipped cream and a few extra berries. Craving more sweet? Try a little honey drizzle or spoon some berry sauce next to each slice.

Cultural note

Desserts like this show up everywhere once the weather warms up, especially when folks want to keep cooking cool and easy for backyard parties. Whipping up fruit with gelatin goes way back—lots of old-school summer classics use this trick for soft and pretty sweets without needing the oven.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What do I do to get it super airy?

Whip the mix of fruit and gelatin at high for about 15 minutes. That’s how it gets all that awesome volume and fluff.

→ Can I try it with frozen strawberries?

It’s better with fresh ones. Frozen strawberries drop too much water and that can flatten the whole thing out.

→ Which applesauce works best?

Stick with unsweetened applesauce. Sweetened kinds can mess up the fluffiness you’re looking for.

→ Is it cool to swap out the strawberries?

If you want, use blueberries instead, but it won’t come out as fluffy, and the color's going to change too.

→ What’s the best way to keep it fresh?

Just stash it in the fridge right in its tray, or pop it into any container with a lid. Slice and serve it super cold for that best texture.

→ How do I make it taste even sweeter?

Plop some whipped cream or a chilly frosting over the top right before serving if you’re after more sugar.

Strawberry Cloud Cake 3 Ingredient

This airy, strawberry treat is cold, fluffy, and mixed with applesauce and gelatin. Only three kinds of ingredients and you don’t need the oven.

Preparation Time
25 Minutes
Cooking Time
~
Overall Time
25 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Desserts

Skill Level: Simple

Regional Style: American

Output: 12 Number of Servings (12 slices)

Special Diets: Low Carbohydrate, No Gluten, Lacks Dairy

What You'll Need

→ Main Ingredients

01 15 g plain gelatin powder
02 313 g applesauce, no sugar added
03 77 g ripe strawberries, chopped into chunky 1.25 cm pieces

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Keep your finished mix in the fridge ’til you’re ready to enjoy it. If you want, top with your favorite frosting or whipped cream. Slice it up using a long, sharp knife. Leftovers go in the fridge too.

Step 02

Scoop all the fluffy stuff into your lined pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Let it hang out in the fridge for at least an hour so it can firm up nicely.

Step 03

After cooling down, pour the fruity mix into your stand mixer and pop on the whisk attachment. Crank it up to top speed for about 15 minutes. Stop when it blows up in size and gets fluffy like pillowy whipped cream. It should hold gentle peaks.

Step 04

Sit your bowl over a pot with gently bubbling water, but don’t let the bowl touch the water. Stir often until the gelatin’s all gone and the mix turns smooth and a bit runnier. You want it warm, not hot, and never boiling. Take it off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes on the counter.

Step 05

Move your strawberry applesauce blend to a big heat-safe bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and whisk it in until you can’t see any bits. The mix will start thickening up.

Step 06

Dump applesauce and your strawberry chunks into a blender. Blitz until everything’s totally smooth and the color’s even all the way through.

Step 07

Grab a big piece of parchment and line both the bottom and sides of an 8 cm or 9 cm square pan. Make sure there’s enough hanging over so you can pull it out easily when you’re done.

Additional Tips

  1. Stick with fresh strawberries—frozen ones get too watery and mess up the fluffiness.
  2. Don’t use sweetened applesauce. Extra sugar stops it from getting as airy as it should.
  3. If you can, make this the night before. It’ll set even better by the next day.
  4. This dessert is super light and airy, kinda like eating a cloud. It’s not dense or cake-like at all, and it’s easy on the calories.

Essential Tools

  • Blender
  • Large bowl safe for heat
  • Pot for double boiling or just a saucepan with water
  • Stand mixer and whisk add-on
  • Spatula
  • Square cake pan (8 cm or 9 cm)
  • Nonstick parchment paper
  • Big, sharp slicing knife

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has gelatin, so it’s not okay for vegetarians or vegans.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 23
  • Fat Content: 0.02 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Protein: 1 g