Best Strawberry Cake from Scratch

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 cup (120g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (400g) sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10g) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt
• 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
• 2 pounds (900g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360g) cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups (480g) confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup (80g) strawberry jam

Preparation Time: 60 minutes Cooking Time: 45 minutes Difficulty Level: 2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. For the frosting, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
9. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth.
10. Stir in the strawberry jam.
11. To assemble the cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with half of the frosting. Top with the second cake layer and spread with the remaining frosting.
12. Decorate with fresh strawberries.

Nutritional Information (per slice):

• Calories: 650
• Fat: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 90g
• Protein: 10g

Dish Characteristics:

• Moist and fluffy cake with a sweet and tangy strawberry flavor
• Creamy and flavorful frosting with a hint of strawberry jam
• Perfect for special occasions or as an everyday treat

User Comments:

• "This cake is absolutely divine! The strawberry flavor is so fresh and juicy."
• "I made this cake for my birthday and everyone loved it. It was a huge hit!"
• "This is the best strawberry cake I've ever tasted. It's so easy to make and the results are always amazing."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• To ensure that your cake is perfectly cooked, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
• If you don't have cream cheese on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of mascarpone cheese.
• If you're using frozen strawberries, be sure to thaw and drain them before slicing.
• Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.