Strawberry Glaze Cake

Instructions
Prepare the Cake:
1 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan (or two 8-inch pans for layering).
2 In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3 In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4 Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5 Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6 Fold in the strawberry puree gently to incorporate.
7 Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan(s). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8 Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Strawberry Glaze:
9 In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry puree, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
10 Adjust the consistency as needed: add a teaspoon of water or milk if the glaze is too thick, or more powdered sugar if it is too thin.
Assemble the Cake:
11 Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle or spread the strawberry glaze over the top.
12 Allow the glaze to set for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
13 For a decorative touch, garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.
Tips for Success:
• Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the glaze to enhance the flavor.
• Ensure the cake is completely cooled before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting or running off.
• For a layered presentation, slice the cake horizontally and add a layer of glaze or whipped cream between the layers.