Strawberry Mousse Cake

Makes  10 to 12 servings   ....... Total time : 5 hours 15 minutes

1-1/4 ...............cups butter , softened
2-1/4 ...............cups granulated sugar
7 ......................eggs whites , room temperature
3-1/2 ................cups cake flour
4 ......................teaspoon baking powder
2 ......................teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 ...................teaspoon almond extract Strawberry Mousse
1 ......................envelope gelatin
2 ......................cups sliced strawbeeies
1/4 ...................cups granulated sugar
1 ......................cup whipping cream
             ** Strawberry Frosting **
3/4 ...................cup butter  softened
5 ......................cups powdered sugar , slfted
3/4 ...................cup finely chopped strawberries
       **Garnishes halved fresh strawberries ... edible flowers**

1 .     Prepare cake layers : Preheat oven to 350*F . Beat 1-1/4 cups softened butter  and 2-1/2 cups granulated at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until fluffy . Gradually add eggs whites  , 1/3 at a time  , beating well after each addition .
2 .     Sift together cake flour and baking powder  ; gradually add to butter mixture  alternatekly with 1 cup water , beginning  and ending  eith flour mixture . Stir in vanilla  and almond extracts . Pour batter  into 4 greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans .
3 .       Bake at 350* for 22 to 25 minutes  or until a wooden pick inserted in center  comes out clean . Cool in pans on wire racks  10 minutes ; remove from pans  to wire racks  , cool compeletly  (about 30 minutes) .
4 .        Prepare Strawberry Mousse :  Sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup water  in small bowl  ; let stand 5 minutes . Process 2 cups sliced strawberries  and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in blender or food processor until smooth , stopping  to scrape down sides as needed . Transfer  strawberry mixture  to a small saucepan ; bring to a boil over medium-high heat . Remove from heat . Add gelatin to strawberry mixture  stirring constantly until  gelatin dissolves . Cover  and chill until until consistency of unbeaten egg whites , stirring occasionally (about 30 minutes).
5 .          Beat cream at low speed until foamy ; increase speed to medium-high , beat until soft peaks  form . Folded whipped cream into  strawberry mixture  until well blended . Cover  and chill 30 minutes  or just until mixture  is thick enough to hold its shape  when mounded .
6 .          Spread about 1 cup Strawberry Mousse between each layer  , leaving a 1/4-inch border  around edges ; cover and chill 3 hours  or until mousse is set .
7 .         Prepare Strawberry Frosting : Beat 3/4 cup siftened butter  at medium speed  20 seconds  or until fluffy . Gradually add powdered sugar  and 3/4 cup finely chopped strawberries  , beating at low speed until creamy . Spread frosting on top and sides of cake .

Strawberry-sweetened frosting surrounds the outside of the cake while creamy strawberry mousse divides the layers . This beautiful cake is ideal for brunch , baby showers ,or any springtime celebration .
Heart Healthy