Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake 🍓🍰
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 🍞
2 1/2 tsp baking powder 🥄
1/2 tsp salt 🧂
1 cup unsalted butter, softened 🧈
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar 🍬
4 large eggs 🥚
1 tbsp vanilla extract 🍦
1 cup whole milk 🥛
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled 🍶
1/2 cup powdered sugar 🍚
1 tsp vanilla extract 🍨
2 cups fresh strawberries, diced 🍓
1/4 cup granulated sugar 🍬
1 tbsp lemon juice 🍋
Whole strawberries for topping 🍓
Directions:
1. Make the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set that aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to that buttery mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until it's just combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans and smooth the tops.
4. 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, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a bowl, combine the diced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes to release their juices.
6. Make the Whipped Cream Frosting: In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed until stiff peaks form.
7. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a layer of whipped cream and generously sprinkle with those delicious macerated strawberries. Repeat with the second cake layer, adding even more whipped cream and strawberries. Top it off with the final cake layer and spread whipped cream all over the cake. Don’t forget to garnish with whole strawberries!
8. Chill & Serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to get that perfect texture.
Enjoy your delightful Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake! 🍓🍰