Directions

Preheat oven to 325F Grease and flour 3 9-inch round cake pans Separate eggs Beat egg whites until soft peaks form Add 1/2 c sugar gradually, beating until egg whites form stiff peaks Set egg whites aside Cream butter, remaining sugar (1 1/2 c), vanilla, and salt together Add egg yolks one at a time beating well after each Beat until the mixture resembles whipped cream Stir baking soda into buttermilk Stir flour and baking powder together Add to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture Fold in the egg whites carefully Spoon the batter into the baking pans evenly Bake for 40 minutes Remove from oven and cool in pans for 5-10 minutes Turn out and cool completely Place one cooled layer on a cake plate Spread with cream cheese frosting Place a layer of sliced strawberries on the cream cheese and top with another cake layer. Repeat Stabilize layers with straws or wood skewers and frost with remaining cream cheese frosting Place halved berries around the edge of cake and chill for three hours Bring to room temperature before serving