Strawberry Vanilla Cake

This Strawberry Vanilla Cake combines the lightness of a vanilla sponge with the brightness of fresh strawberries and a rich, strawberry-infused cream cheese frosting. Perfect for celebrations or as a delightful summer dessert, this cake offers a wonderful balance of sweetness and fruity flavor. The soft vanilla layers pair beautifully with the strawberry filling and luscious frosting, making every bite irresistible.

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Ingredients

Vanilla Cake

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ¼ cup oil (canola or vegetable)
• 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
• ½ cup sour cream (room temperature)
• 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)

Strawberry Filling

• 1 ½ cups strawberries (washed and quartered)
• 1 Tbsp strawberry jam
• 1 tsp white granulated sugar

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (slightly cold)
• 6 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
• 2 oz freeze-dried strawberries (ground into fine crumbs)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp strawberry jam
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• Fresh strawberries (for decoration)

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Instructions

Vanilla Cake

1. Prepare the Pans:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray three 8-inch cake pans with nonstick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Spray again to ensure easy removal of the cake layers.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter, oil, and sugar on high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, and mix on medium speed until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
4. Add Eggs:
   Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed. Once all the eggs are added, increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 1 minute.
5. Combine Wet and Dry:
   On low speed, add ⅓ of the dry ingredients and half of the buttermilk to the butter mixture. Mix just until combined. Add another ⅓ of the dry ingredients and the remaining buttermilk. Finish with the last of the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
6. Bake:
   Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Strawberry Filling

1. In a small saucepan, combine the strawberries, strawberry jam, and sugar.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until the strawberries are soft and the mixture has thickened slightly.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool completely before using it in the cake.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together for 2 minutes until creamy.
2. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and freeze-dried strawberry crumbs, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
3. Add the vanilla extract, salt, strawberry jam, and heavy cream, and beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.

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Assembling the Cake

1. Layering:
   Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of the cooled strawberry filling evenly over the top. Repeat with the second cake layer and filling. Place the final cake layer on top.
2. Frosting:
   Generously frost the top and sides of the cake with the strawberry cream cheese frosting. For a decorative finish, pipe some frosting around the edges and top with fresh strawberries.

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Description and Tips

This Strawberry Vanilla Cake is a dream dessert for any occasion, with its moist vanilla sponge and sweet-tart strawberry filling. The freeze-dried strawberries in the frosting provide an intense burst of flavor, while the cream cheese keeps the frosting tangy and rich.

Baking Tips:

• Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, sour cream, and buttermilk are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
• Don’t overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid a dense cake.
• Freeze-dried strawberries: Grinding freeze-dried strawberries adds concentrated flavor to the frosting without excess moisture, which fresh strawberries can introduce.

This cake is perfect for summer celebrations or a special birthday treat, and it pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea!