Fresh Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Buttercream



INGREDIENTS
CAKE
  1. 3 cups Flour
  2. 2 cups Sugar
  3. 1 1/2 tablespoons Baking Powder
  4. 3/4 teaspoons Salt
  5. 3/4 cup Canola Oil
  6. 1 1/2 cups Strawberry Puree*
  7. 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  8. 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
  9. 4 Eggs beaten
  10. Pink food coloring - if desired - if you don't use it you won't have as strong of a color.


STRAWBERRY BUTTERCREAM
  1. 1 stick butter room temp
  2. 1/8 teaspoon salt
  3. 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  4. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  5. 3 tablespoons strawberry puree


INSTRUCTIONS
CAKE
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9" cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the oil, strawberry puree, vanilla, and lemon juice to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
  4. Add the eggs and food color (if using), and stir until smooth. {do not over mix!}
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans.
  6. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Allow the cakes to cool for a few minutes before removing and placing on cooling racks.
  8. The cakes need to be completely cooled before frosting.


STRAWBERRY BUTTERCREAM
  1. In a large bowl, beat your butter until it's fluffy. Add the salt, powdered sugar, vanilla; beat until combine. Add the strawberry puree and beat until light and fluffy. You may need to add more powdered sugar or a teaspoon of milk until you get the perfect consistency.


NOTES
** to make strawberry puree, wash the strawberries, dry, remove the stems and place in a blender or food processor. Strain out the seeds using a mesh strainer or cheese cloth.