Strawberry Cream Layer Cake Recipe

 Ingredients:

**For the Cake:**
– 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 2 1/2 cups (320g) all-purpose flour
– 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, room temperature
– 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
– 4 large eggs, room temperature

**For the Filling:**
– 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream, chilled
– 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups (about 300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

**For the Topping:**
– 1/2 cup (60g) sliced almonds
– Powdered sugar, for dusting

 Instructions:

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. **Prepare the Cake Batter:**
– In a small bowl, combine the milk and vanilla extract.
– In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
– In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
– Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
– Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

3. **Bake the Cakes:**
– Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
– Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
– Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

4. **Prepare the Filling:**
– In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form.

5. **Assemble the Cake:**
– Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
– Spread half of the whipped cream over the cake layer.
– Arrange the sliced strawberries evenly over the whipped cream.
– Place the second cake layer on top.
– Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top of the cake.
– Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the whipped cream.

6. **Finish and Serve:**
– Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
– Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Strawberry Cream Layer Cake!