Strawberry Walnut Torte

• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted and cooled
• 1/4 cup plus 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 eggs
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 jar (12 ounces) strawberry preserves, divided
• 4 cups halved fresh strawberries

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper.
2. Place walnuts and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor; pulse until nuts are ground. In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside walnut mixture and cream.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs and remaining sugar until thick and lemon-colored; beat in vanilla. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and walnut mixture; fold into egg mixture alternately with whipped cream.
4. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
5. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt until blended. Fold in whipped cream.
6. Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with a second cake layer. Reserve 2 tablespoons preserves for strawberries; spread half of the remaining preserves over top of cake to within 1/2 inch of edge. Repeat layers.
7. Frost sides of cake with remaining frosting. For a basket weave design, run a small offset spatula around cake to form ridges, stopping and starting at short intervals. Arrange strawberries over top. In a microwave, melt reserved preserves; brush over strawberries. Refrigerate until serving.

walnuts, sugar, heavy whipping cream, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, salt, strawberry preserves, fresh strawberries

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/strawberry-walnut-torte/ (may not work)