Ingredients
Scale
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
- Prep and preheat: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease your 9×13 pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set it aside—it’s always easier to have this ready before you start mixing the wet ingredients.
- Blend the wet ingredients: Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the sugar, oil, eggs, egg whites, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth. Add the sour cream and mix until combined.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients: Add half of the dry mixture to the wet, mixing on low speed until just combined. Slowly pour in the milk, followed by the remaining dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix—you want the batter to stay light and airy.
- Bake to perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Gently tap the pan 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 on a rack.
- Whip up the frosting: Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. With the mixer running, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream. Scrape the bowl as needed, and whip until the frosting holds stiff peaks.
- Assemble the cake: Once the cake is cool, spread the frosting in an even layer. Toss the sliced strawberries with the jam and spoon them over the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate until you’re ready to wow your guests.
Notes
Serving and presentation tips
To serve, slice the cake into neat squares or rectangles. For a little flair, garnish each slice with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar. This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side. It’s equally at home on a picnic table or a fancy dessert platter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert