Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper to ensure the cake doesn't stick.

Make the Strawberry Puree: In a blender, puree 1 cup of fresh strawberries until smooth. Then, cook the puree in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced to about ½ cup. Let it cool completely before using.

Prepare the Cake Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and cooled strawberry puree.

Combine & Bake: Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Stir in the freeze-dried strawberry powder (if using) and pink food coloring (optional). Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Freezer Trick (Secret to Moist Cake!): Once the cake layers are slightly cooled, wrap each layer in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer for 30 minutes. This step helps lock in moisture, ensuring a super soft and tender cake.

Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until fluffy. Stir in the strawberry puree and vanilla extract, and if the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream to reach your desired consistency.

Assemble the Cake: Place one layer of cake on a serving plate, and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides evenly with the remaining frosting.

Decorate & Serve: For a beautiful finish, decorate with fresh strawberry halves, white chocolate shavings, or edible flowers. Chill the cake for about 30 minutes before slicing to help the frosting set and make for cleaner slices.