Strawberry Cake With Strawberry Buttercream

Ingredients

• 32 ounces fresh or thawed strawberries
• 4 ounces granulated sugar (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1 pinch of salt
• 8 ounces unsalted butter (softened)
• 10 ounces granulated sugar
• 6 ounces egg whites (at room temperature)
• 4 ounces whole milk (at room temperature)
• 6 ounces thick strawberry reduction (at room temperature)
• 2 ounces vegetable or canola oil
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons strawberry emulsion or extract (LorAnn oils preferred)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pink gel food coloring (Americolor electric pink recommended)
• 14 ounces all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces pasteurized egg whites
• 16 ounces powdered sugar
• 16 ounces unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 ounces strawberry reduction (at room temperature)