Strawberry Cake

Ingredients

• 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree (made from fresh strawberries)

For the icing:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup strawberry puree (made from fresh strawberries)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preparing the Cake:

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   2. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Incorporate Butter:
   1. Add softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients:
   1. In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Blend Together:
   1. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
6. Fold in Strawberry Puree:
   1. Gently fold in the strawberry puree until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Divide and Bake:
   1. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
   2. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Assemble:
   1. Remove cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Crafting the Icing:

1. Cream the Butter:
   1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Add Sugar:
   1. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and creamy.
3. Incorporate Flavor:
   1. Add the strawberry puree and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until well combined.
4. Adjust Consistency:
   1. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or more strawberry puree for flavor.
5. Frost the Cake:
   1. Once your cakes are completely cooled, spread the icing evenly over each layer and stack them up.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
   1. Indulge in the delightful flavors of your homemade strawberry cake with this delicious icing!

Tips and Tricks

• Fresh is Best: Opt for fresh strawberries when making the puree for an intense flavor.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for optimal results.
• Don’t Overmix: Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a tender crumb texture.
• Even Layers: Use a spatula or cake leveler to ensure that your cake layers are evenly sized for a professional finish.