Fresh Strawberry Layer Cake
Makes 1 (9-inch) cake
2½ cups chopped fresh strawberries, divided
¾ cup butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon strawberry extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
¾ cup whole milk
3 cups self-rising flour
Strawberry Frosting (recipe follows)
Garnish: fresh strawberries
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with baking spray with flour. Line pans with parchment paper; spray paper.
2. In the container of a blender, process 1½ cups chopped strawberries until smooth. Reserve ⅔ cup purée in a small bowl for Strawberry Frosting; reserve ⅓ cup purée for cake batter.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and extracts with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. In a small bowl, stir together milk and reserved ⅓ cup strawberry purée. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour to butter mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour, beating just until combined after each addition. Fold in remaining 1 cup chopped strawberries. Divide batter between prepared pans. Gently tap pans on counter twice to release air bubbles.
5. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 27 minutes. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks.
6. Spread Strawberry Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Just before serving, garnish with strawberries, if desired.
Strawberry Frosting
Makes about 3 cups
1½ cups butter, softened
½ teaspoon strawberry extract*
6¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
⅔ cup strawberry purée, reserved from Fresh Strawberry Layer Cake batter, divided
⅛ teaspoon salt
1. In a large bowl, beat butter and extract with a mixer at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, ⅓ cup strawberry purée, and salt, beating until smooth. If needed, beat in remaining strawberry purée, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve a spreadable consistency. Use immediately.
*We used
