Strawberry best cake

YIELDS:8 - 10 servings

PREP TIME:0 hours 10 mins

TOTAL TIME:1 hour 0 mins

Ingredients

FOR THE COMPOTE

1 lb. strawberries strawberries, hulled and halved

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

Juice from half a lemon

FOR THE CAKE

2 c. all-purpose flour

3 tbsp. cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened

1 c. granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3/4 c. strawberry compote

3/4 c. milk

Pink food coloring (optional)

FOR THE FROSTING

2 (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/4 c. strawberry compote

6 c. powdered sugar

2 tbsp. heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch kosher salt

Directions

1.  Puree strawberries in food processor then add to a small saucepan with sugar and lemon juice and place over medium low heat. Reduce by about half, stirring often, 25 minutes. You should have about 1 ½  cup of strawberry compote. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

2.  Preheat oven to 350° and grease and line two 8” round cake pans. In a large bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

3.  In another large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and strawberry compote and beat until fully incorporated then add milk. Add dry ingredients mixing until just combined. (Add pink food coloring to batter if you desire a really pink cake!)

4.  Divide batter evenly into prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 minutes. Let cakes cool for 15 minutes then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely. 

5.  Make frosting: In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until no lumps remain then beat in strawberry compote. Add powdered sugar and beat until well incorporated. Add in heavy cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Add more heavy cream as necessary to reach your desired consistency. 

Frost cake as desired