Instructions

CAKE

1. Spray 2 8-inch round cake pans and set aside.
2. Adjust an oven rack to the center position and heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Then whisk to combine.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla together on medium speed for 1 minute. Reduce the mixer speed to low speed and slowly pour the oil into the mixture until combined. On low speed, add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the wine in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing until just barely blended. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary. The batter will be thin. Use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the batter together to be sure you don’t over mix.
4. Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached; rotating pans halfway through baking. The cakes will form a dome on top and be golden in color in the center. Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool in their pans on wire racks for 10 to 15 minutes. Invert the cakes onto wire racks and let cool completely.

STRAWBERRY FILLING

1. Place thawed strawberries in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Over a bowl pour strawberry puree over a sieve to remove the solids. The puree will be thick. Use a spoon to stir and press the puree through the sieve.
2. Place strawberry puree in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly to keep lumps from forming. Once the puree thickens, remove from the heat. Cool for 5 minutes and then add fresh lemon juice and Chambord. Chill for about 2-3 hours in the refrigerator until ready to use.
   

BUTTERCREAM

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, pour in the egg whites and sugar and whisk by hand until combined. Fill a medium saucepan with about 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place mixer bowl on top, being sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water and attach a candy thermometer.
2. Whisking occasionally, heat the egg mixture until the temperature reaches 160 degrees. Once the mixture reaches 160 degrees, transfer to a stand mixer and beat the mixture on high speed for 10 minutes or until medium-stiff peaks form. At this point the outside of the mixer bowl should be room temperature. Switch out the whisk attachment with the paddle attachment and with the mixer on low speed, add the butter one tablespoon at a time, and then add the vanilla extract and wine. Once combined, turn up the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the buttercream is smooth about 5 minutes.

ASSSEMBLE

1. Trim cake domes off each cake layer creating 2 even layers of cake. Cut each cake layer in half horizontally, creating 4 thin cake layers.  Place one cake layer on a cake board and spread 2/3 cup strawberry filling on top and spread around the cake layer, leaving about ½-inch from the edge free of filling. Place second cake layer on top and gently press cake layer to adhere to the strawberry filling. Spread about 2/3 cup buttercream on top of the second cake layer, leaving about ½-inch from the edge free of buttercream. Place third cake layer on top of buttercream and press gently to adhere to the buttercream. Spread about 2/3 cup strawberry filling on top, leaving ½-inch from the edge free of filling. Place the last cake layer (bottom side up) on top gently pressing to adhere to the strawberry filling.
2. Set aside about 1 cup buttercream for crumb coating. Fit a piping bag with Ateco piping tip #827 and fill piping bag with about 1 to 2 cups buttercream for decorating.
3. Spread reserved buttercream for crumb coat on top and the sides of the cake. This should be just a thin layer of frosting to catch any loose crumbs. Set cake in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes to set the crumb coat.
4. With remaining buttercream, spread the buttercream over the tops and sides of the chilled cake. Using your piping bag, pipe swirls on the top edges of the cake.
   Lightly sprinkle festive sprinkles over the buttercream swirls.
5. Set a large rimmed baking sheet on your work surface. Use the cake board underneath the cake to help lift up the cake. With the cake in one hand, use your other hand to spread sprinkles on the bottom edges of the cake over the rimmed baking sheet. The rimmed baking sheet is to help catch the sprinkles that do not attach so you can reuse them. Set cake on a cake platter and serve.