Let’s turn these ingredients into something magical!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step reminds me of baking with my mom, who taught me the importance of patience in the kitchen.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries.
9. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter and use a knife to swirl it gently through the batter.
10. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.