Strawberries and Cream Cake

This decadent cake is perfect when sweet, ripe, organic strawberries are in season!  Stunningly beautiful to the eye and the tastebuds!

Serves 12-14, 2 layer 9" cake

For the cake:
6 eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups unbleached A/P flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup half and half or milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease with butter and line with parchment paper 2 9" round cake pans.

In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Sprinkle the sugar over the egg whites and beat again until stiff peaks form. Add the egg yolks and vanilla and mix to combine.

Sift together the flour and starch. Add this to the meringue, folding in gently with a rubber spatula.

Combine the milk and melted butter. Add this to the meringue batter, again folding in gently with a rubber spatula.

Pour the batter into the cake pans evenly. Smooth the top. Bang the pans on the countertop a bit so that any large air bubbles escape. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.

For the frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 cup (1-8 oz bar) cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cream
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or with a handheld mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until combined well. Add the vanilla and mix. Add the powdered sugar and cream, beating until fluffy. If you want the frosting softer, add a bit more cream. If you want the frosting thicker, add more powdered sugar.

For assembly:
1 pint fresh strawberries

Thinly slice a handful of strawberries. Place a cake layer on a large plate or cake stand. Place an even layer of strawberry slices on top of the first layer. Don't worry about it looking perfect; it will be hidden inside the cake!  Put a layer of frosting over the sliced strawberries. Top with the next cake layer and repeat with more strawberry slices, then frosting. Frost the sides of the cake. Decorate the cake as desired with the rest of the strawberries.

Enjoy!