## 🍓 Fresh Strawberry Cake ### 🛒 Ingredients **For the cake:** * 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour * 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder * ½ teaspoon salt * ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened * 1 ¾ cups (350g) sugar * 4 large eggs (room temperature) * 1 tablespoon vanilla extract * ½ cup (120ml) milk * ½ cup (120ml) strawberry puree (fresh strawberries blended & strained) * ½ cup (120g) finely chopped fresh strawberries **For the strawberry frosting:** * 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened * 3–4 cups (360–480g) powdered sugar * 2–3 tablespoons strawberry puree * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * Pinch of salt --- ### 👩🍳 Instructions #### 1️⃣ Prepare * Preheat oven to **350°F (175°C)**. * Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans. #### 2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients * In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. #### 3️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar * Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes). #### 4️⃣ Add Eggs & Flavor * Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. * Mix in vanilla extract. #### 5️⃣ Combine * Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk. * Gently fold in strawberry puree and chopped strawberries. #### 6️⃣ Bake * Divide batter evenly between pans. * Bake for **25–30 minutes**, or until a toothpick comes out clean. * Cool completely before frosting. --- ### 🍓 Make the Frosting 1. Beat butter until creamy. 2. Gradually add powdered sugar. 3. Mix in strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt. 4. Beat until fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). --- ### 🎂 Assemble * Spread frosting between layers. * Frost the top and sides. * Decorate with fresh strawberries if desired. --- If you’d like, I can also give you: * 🍓 A **strawberry shortcake-style version** * 🍰 A **strawberry cake using cake mix** * 🧁 A **strawberry cupcake version** * 🥛 A **no-butter / oil-based version**