Irresistible Strawberry Cake

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan to ensure the cake comes out easily after baking.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, making the cake light and tender. Add the 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
4. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with 1/2 cup of milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a dense cake.
5. Fold in the Strawberries: Gently fold 1 cup of diced fresh strawberries into the batter. This adds natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
6. Layer with Strawberry Jam: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread 1/2 cup of strawberry jam over the batter, then top with the remaining batter. The jam will create a beautiful fruity swirl inside the cake as it bakes.
7. Bake the Cake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and have a slight bounce when touched. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of strawberry puree until smooth and well combined. The glaze should be thick enough to drizzle over the cake but not runny.
9. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle the strawberry glaze over the top. The glaze will add an extra layer of sweetness and a lovely shine to the cake.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the cake with fresh strawberries for a beautiful and delicious finishing touch. Serve and enjoy the delightful combination of sweet, tangy strawberries and moist cake!

Storage and Serving