Easy Dreamy Strawberry Cream Cake

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 tablespoons kirsch
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 (9 inch) round layers prepared cake
• 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup confectioner's powdered sugar, sifted to remove any lumps
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (or one vanilla bean, seeded and scraped)
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, well chilled
• fresh mint sprig, optional to garnish
• strawberry ice cream, to serve

Recipe

• 1 in a medium bowl, combine strawberries with the sugar and kirsch; set aside for about 30 minutes at room temperature. reserve several of the most attractive strawberry slices for decorating the top of the cake.
• 2 to make frosting/ filling:.
• 3 on medium-high speed of mixer, whip the cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
• 4 reduce to medium speed and beat in the cream until starting to thicken, then increase speed to high and beat until soft peaks form, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. do not over mix.
• 5 assemble the cake:.
• 6 fill one cake layer with half of the strawberries, arranged in an attractive pattern. carefully spread 1/2 of the frosting over the strawberries, to within 1/2 inch of sides.
• 7 place second cake layer on top of first layer and press gently. repeat with strawberries and frosting; decorate top of cake with the reserved strawberries.
• 8 decorate top with a fresh mint sprig, as desired.
• 9 slice into wedges and serve with a scoop of strawberry ice cream.
• 10 refrigerate any leftovers. cake is best served the same day.