Strawberry Layer Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

2 cups

sliced fresh strawberries* (see Note about quality)

2 tbsp

water

1 3/4 cups

all-purpose flour (when measuring, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off)

1/4 cup

cornstarch

2 tsp

baking powder

1 tsp

salt

1/2 cup

or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups

+ 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

egg whites, room temperature

1 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

whole milk, room temperature

Red food coloring (optional)

!Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz

cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup

or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups

powdered sugar

salt

1 tsp

vanilla extract