2cups(4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3cupsgranulated sugar
6large eggs, at room temperature
2large egg yolks, at room temperature
1 1/2teaspoonsstrawberry liqueur
1/4teaspoonred food coloring
1/4cupwhole milk, at room temperature
For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
(Makes 8 cups, enough for three 9-inch cakes)
16ouncesfrozen strawberries, thawed to room temperature
1tablespoonlemon juice, freshly squeezed
8ouncescream cheese, at room temperature
2teaspoonsstrawberry liqueur
2cups(4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/8teaspoonregular salt
2 1/2cups(20 ounces) confectioner's sugar
Instructions
For the Strawberry Pound Cake
Preheat the oven to 350 (F). Coat three 9-inch round cake pans with a nonstick cooking spray.
Mash 16 ounces of thawed frozen strawberries through a strainer over a measuring cup until you get about 1 cup of juice. Reserve the mashed strawberries. Add the 1 cup of juice to a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup.
Using a food processor, pulse the reserved mashed strawberries until they are finely chopped. Add the 1/4-cup reduced strawberry juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice to the chopped strawberries and pulse until blended. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 cups cake flour, 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon regular salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat 2 cups of butter until light and fluffy, then reduce the speed and add 3 cups granulated sugar, beating until smooth. Add 6 eggs and 2 egg yolks, one at a time, beating until blended. Add 3/4 cup of the strawberry puree (from the third step), 1 1/2 teaspoons strawberry liqueur, and 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring and beat until just incorporated.
Keeping the mixer speed on low, alternately add the flour mixture (from the fourth step), 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons at a time. Beat until smooth.
Divide the batter equally among the prepared pans and bake until a wooden pick inserted into the middle comes out clean, around 30 to 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Mash 16 ounces of thawed frozen strawberries through a strainer over a measuring cup until you get 1 cup of juice. Reserve the mashed strawberries. Add the 1 cup of juice to a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup.
Using a food processor, pulse the reserved mashed strawberries until they are finely chopped. Add the reduced strawberry juice and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the chopped strawberries and pulse until blended. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat 8 ounces cream cheese and 2 teaspoons strawberry liqueur on medium speed until soft. Add 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter and 1/8 teaspoon regular salt and beat until light and fluffy, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl as necessary, about 3 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree (from the second step), and beat until just blended.
With the mixer speed still on low, gradually beat in 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl as necessary, until well blended. When all the sugar has been added, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the buttercream is fluffy, about 1 minute. Use immediately.
Putting It All Together
To assemble and frost the cake, place 1 cake layer, bottom-side up, on a cake plate. Use an offset spatula to spread 1 cup of buttercream on the top of the cake.
Add the second cake layer, bottom-side down, and spread 1 cup of buttercream on top.
Top with the third cake layer, bottom side-up. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream.