Vanilla sponge, strawberry buttercream, white chocolate drip, and edible flowers craft a festive celebration treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vanilla Sponge
01 - 2½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
05 - 2 cups granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
→ Strawberry Buttercream
09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
10 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - ½ cup fresh strawberries, pureed
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ White Chocolate Drip
14 - ½ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
15 - ¼ cup heavy cream
→ Decoration
16 - Assorted edible flowers (pansies, violets, marigolds)
17 - Fresh strawberries, halved (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl using a whisk.
03 - With an electric mixer, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, 3–4 minutes.
04 - Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the batter, starting and finishing with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
06 - Distribute batter evenly into prepared pans. Smooth tops, then bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
07 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar. Blend in strawberry puree, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy; chill if frosting is too soft.
09 - Place white chocolate and heavy cream in a heatproof bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring until fully melted and smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
10 - Set one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread strawberry frosting evenly. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost entire cake and chill for 20 minutes.
11 - Pour cooled white chocolate drip near the top edge, letting it cascade down the sides. Lightly smooth the top surface.
12 - Adorn the cake with edible flowers and halved fresh strawberries as desired.