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1
Position a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat the oven to 350F.
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2
Butter the bottom and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans.
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3
Line the bottoms with rounds of wax or parchment paper, and butter the paper.
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4
Dust the bottoms and sides of the pans with flour, tapping out any excess.
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5
Set the pans aside.
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6
Prepare the cake: Using an electric mixer, cream the butter until it is pale yellow, about 2 minutes.
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7
Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
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8
Add the flour and mix until just blended.
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9
Add the orange zest and juice.
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10
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
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11
Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
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12
Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 minutes.
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13
Allow the cake layers to cool in the pans on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.
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14
Then invert the layers onto the wire rack, carefully peel off the wax paper, and let them cool completely.
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15
(The cake layers can be baked 1 day ahead.
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16
Wrap them in aluminum foil and refrigerate them.]
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17
About 4 hours before serving, prepare the filling: Set aside the 12 best strawberries for garnish.
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18
Quarter the remaining strawberries and toss them in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
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19
Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours for the juices to form.
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20
About 2 hours before serving, combine the cream, vanilla, and the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in a bowl, and whip until it holds soft peaks.
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21
Place a cake layer, right side up (level it off with serrated knife if it is uneven), on a pedestal cake stand.
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22
Spoon half of the quartered strawberries over the cake.
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23
Spread half of the whipped cream over the strawberries.
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24
Cover with the remaining cake layer.
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25
Spoon the remaining quartered strawberries over the cake, and then cover with the remaining whipped cream.
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26
Arrange the whole berries decoratively on top.
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27
Serve the cake immediately, or keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before serving.
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28
Its best eaten right away.