Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Ah...strawberry season.  The taste of a fresh strawberry is the taste of summer.  This recipe has many steps and seems a bit complicated, but if you take it one step at a time it is not difficult.  If you have leftovers, this cake freezes nicely.  This recipe comes from Eating Well.

1/2 c. milk
4 T. butter
Heat these 2 ingredients together in pan or in the microwave until the butter melts.  Set aside.
Sift together on a piece of parchment or waxed paper:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
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• Whisk together in a bowl:
• 3 room temperature eggs 
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1 t. vanilla
• The whisk in :  1 c. sugar, in a slow stream.
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• Pour egg mixture into a stand mixer with the whisk attachment on.  Beat for 5 minutes.  With a hand whisk fold in egg mixture-be sure to get down to bottom and mix in well.  Whisk in flour mixture, 1/4 at a time.  
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• Butter the bottom and sides of 9" round cake pans.  Put parchment paper on the bottom of the pans over the butter.  Pour batter evenly into the two pans, smoothing tops.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Cool 10 minutes in pan.  
• Run a sharp paring knife around the layers to loosen, then invert the layers onto the racks. Immediately turn the layers over so they cool with the paper on the bottom. Let cool completely.
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• For the filling:
• 1# strawberries, cut into quarters
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 t. vanilla 
• Combine all ingredients and let set for 20-30 minutes.
• For the cream layer:
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 2 T. confectioner's sugar
• 1 c. vanilla yogurt
• Whip cream until soft peaks form.  Slowly add in sugar and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.  Fold in yogurt and set aside.
  
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•  To assemble:
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  Remove the parchment paper from the cake layers. Place one layer on a cake stand or plate. Drizzle any liquid from the strawberries over the cake. Spread half of the cream mixture evenly over the top and spread half of the strawberries over the cream. Place the remaining layer on top. Spread the remaining cream over the cake and top with the remaining strawberries.
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