Pink and Delicious Strawberry Cake

A yummy moist cake to use up some of those fresh strawberries. Make sure your strawberries are extra sweet, if not sweet enough, mix with 1 tsp sugar and set aside for 30 minutes. Drain before pureeing.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 8-12
• Yields: 1 2 Layer Cake

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups  sliced strawberries
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1⁄4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softenend
• 2  large eggs, at room temperature
• 2  large  egg whites, at room temperature
• 1  cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  red food coloring
• 1⁄3 cup cream cheese
• 1⁄3 cup  softened butter
• 2  tablespoons  orange juice
• 3  cups powdered sugar
• 12  strawberries (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees,.
2. To prepare cake, place sliced strawberries in food processor; process until smooth.
3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Place granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer until well blended.
4. Add eggs, one at the time, beating well after each addition. Beat in egg whites.
5. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Add pureed strawberries and food coloring; beat just until blended,.
6. Divide batter between two 8 or 9 inch cake pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.
7. To prepare frosting, place cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter and orange juice in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat just until blended.
8. Pleace one cake layer on plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake.
9. Garnish with strawberries as desired, Store leftovers covered in the fridge.,.