Ingredients
Cake:
- 2½ cups all purpose flour*
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 large egg whites, room temperature
- 2½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup milk , preferably whole or 2%, room temperature
Frosting:
- 6 ounces cream cheese , softened to cool room temp
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups chilled heavy whipping cream
Strawberry topping:
- 5 cups sliced fresh strawberries (just under 2 pounds), see note
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan and set it aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), beat together the sugar, oil, eggs, egg whites, and extracts until well combined. Add the sour cream and mix again.
Now, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients. Add half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. While still mixing, slowly pour in the milk, then add the remaining flour mixture. Be careful not to overmix—just blend until everything is incorporated.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Give the pan a couple of gentle taps on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream. Stop and scrape down the bowl occasionally. Increase the speed to high and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. If serving right away, mix the sliced strawberries with the strawberry jam and spoon them over the top. If you’re making the cake ahead of time, refrigerate the frosted cake and wait to add the strawberries just before serving.
Notes
Serving and presentation ideas
For a polished look, garnish the cake with a few whole strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve it straight from the pan for casual gatherings, or slice it into squares and plate each piece with extra berries and whipped cream for a more elegant presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert