Celebrate summer like we did in Sweden with the traditional strawberry cake and pastel maxi dresses. (My yellow tiered dress was from Saylor 2023 Pink Lemonade print. Google for options.) SWEDISH STRAWBERRY CAKE For the cake: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar 4 large eggs 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 Tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk For the cream cheese frosting: 8 ounces full-fat brick style cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 3 cups (350g) confectioners’ sugar 1 – 2 Tablespoons heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pinch salt For the filling: 1/2 cup strawberry jam 2 cups fresh strawberries Instructions Preheat the oven to 350°F Grease and lightly flour two cake pans. Mix butter until creamy. Add both sugars, eggs, vanilla, and beat on medium speed until everything is combined. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the milk. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before assembling the cake. For the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together. Add confectioners’ sugar, 1 or 2 Tablespoons cream, vanilla extract and salt. For the filling and assembling the cake: Trim the tops off the cake layers to create a flat surface. Evenly cover one layer with the jam, then add a layer of sliced strawberries, and one layer of cream cheese frosting. Do the same with second layer then cover the entire top with strawberries.