Chocolate Covered Strawberries Cake

16 servings

2/3 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup milk

4 egg whites

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

for frosting

7 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cups baking cocoa

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries

8 whole fresh strawberries

*This is a pic of the cake I made yesterday.  Damen was shocked!  So was I!*

Cream butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Fold into batter. Fold in strawberries. Pour in to two, greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. For frosting, combine confectioner's sugar and cocoa. Beat in butter and milk until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Spread frosting over bottom cake layer; top with sliced strawberries. Top with remaining cake layer; frost top and sides of cake. Dip whole strawberries into frosting and arrange around and on top of cake. Refrigerate leftovers. Enjoy!
 

This was the cake I made for Damen's 5th birthday.  I got this wonderful recipe, yet again, from my friend Laurie Harris.  Laurie and I knew each other when her, wonderful Hubby, Bryan, coached Brenen every year, AND season, we were there in TX, for soccer.  We were unstoppable!  I know some of you get on her blog through my blog, but in case you want an easier access to it, here ya go!  http://heritageschoolhouse.blogspot.com/