Strawberry and Cream Layer Cake

1️⃣ Cake Batter

1. Beat softened butter and sugar with a mixer until light in color and fluffy.Creaming introduces air into the mixture, helping the cake rise. Continue mixing until the texture becomes pale and noticeably increased in volume.
2. Continue mixing, adding eggs one at a time.Allow each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth batter. The mixture should remain silky and uniform.
3. Then add the oil, vanilla, and strawberry puree and beat until completely combined.The oil adds moisture while the purée blends in naturally, tinting the batter and enhancing the strawberry aroma. Mix until no streaks remain.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.Whisk thoroughly to evenly distribute the leaveners, ensuring consistent rising and preventing pockets of baking powder or soda.
5. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in 3 stages, alternating with milk. Obtain a smooth pink dough.Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition to avoid overworking the gluten, which could toughen the cake. The batter should be thick but easily spreadable.
6. If you want a brighter color, you can add a small amount of food coloring.Add only a drop at a time until you reach the desired shade. This step is optional, as the purée already gives a natural blush.

2️⃣ Baking

1. Grease three 20 cm (8 inch) cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.This prevents sticking and ensures the cake layers release smoothly after baking. A thin, even coating of grease works best.
2. Divide the batter evenly among the pans.Use a scale if available for perfectly even layers. Smooth the tops gently so they bake uniformly.
3. Bake in a preheated 170°C oven until the cakes spring back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean.The edges should pull slightly from the pan, and the centres should feel soft but set. Avoid overbaking to maintain a moist crumb.
4. Let the cakes cool completely.Cooling in the pans for a short time before transferring to a rack helps the layers firm up and prevents breakage when assembling.
   

   3️⃣ Strawberry Filling