Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and quartered
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and pureed
Instructions:
Make the Cake:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add strawberries: Gently fold in the quartered strawberries.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add milk and vanilla: Beat in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add strawberry puree: Gradually beat in the strawberry puree until the desired color and sweetness are reached.
Assemble the Cake:
- Level cakes: Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops if necessary to create a flat surface.
- Frost and stack: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and frost the top. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate: Decorate the cake with additional fresh strawberries, strawberry slices, or other desired toppings.
Enjoy your delicious strawberry cake!