Now, let’s dive into the creation process. Follow these steps to bring this cake to life:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for a tender cake, so don’t rush it!
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
7. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter.
8. Arrange the sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer. For a decorative touch, I like to fan them out in a circular pattern.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.