Strawberry and White Chocolate Buttercream Cake

Cake Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® butter recipe yellow cake mix (from 18.25-oz box) 

1/2 cup water 

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 

1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

1 egg 

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

8 oz white chocolate baking bars or squares, chopped 

2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces, softened 

2/3 cup whipping cream 

2 cups fresh whole strawberries, thinly sliced 

1) Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously spray bottom and side of 8- or 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour.

2) In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, 1/4 cup butter, the almond extract and egg with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.

3) Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4) Meanwhile, place white chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter in medium metal bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat just to boiling. Immediately, pour hot cream over white chocolate and butter. Let stand about 5 minutes, or until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred. Cool 1 hour or until room temperature.

5) Beat cooled white chocolate mixture on high speed until fluffy.

6) Cut cake horizontally in half, using long, sharp knife. On serving plate, place 1 layer, cut side up. Spread with 1/2 of the filling; top with 1/2 of the strawberries. Add remaining cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining filling over top of cake; top with remaining strawberries. Store covered in refrigerator.