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1
Preheat oven to 350u00b0. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper.
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2
Place walnuts and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor; pulse until nuts are ground. In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside walnut mixture and cream.
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3
In a large bowl, beat eggs and remaining sugar until thick and lemon-colored; beat in vanilla. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and walnut mixture; fold into egg mixture alternately with whipped cream.
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4
Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
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5
For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt until blended. Fold in whipped cream.
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6
Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with a second cake layer. Reserve 2 tablespoons preserves for strawberries; spread half of the remaining preserves over top of cake to within 1/2 inch of edge. Repeat layers.
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7
Frost sides of cake with remaining frosting. For a basket weave design, run a small offset spatula around cake to form ridges, stopping and starting at short intervals. Arrange strawberries over top. In a microwave, melt reserved preserves; brush over strawberries. Refrigerate until serving.
