President Ford's Strawberry Blitz Torte

Step 1: Cake:

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 3: Grease 2 (8-inch) layer-cake pans.

Step 4: Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.

Step 5: In a large bowl

Step 6: With electric mixer set at medium speed, beat shortening until creamy.

Step 7: Gradually add sugar

Step 8: Continue beating until light and fluffy.

Step 9: Beat egg yolks in separate bowl

Step 10: Add to creamed mixture.

Step 11: Stir in milk and vanilla.

Step 12: Add dry ingredients at low speed and beat until batter is smooth.

Step 13: Pour batter into cake pans.

Step 14: Lightly pile half of the meringue mixture over the batter in each pan

Step 15: Spread evenly.

Step 16: Bake in 350 degree oven until cake tests done and meringue is pale gold, about 35 minutes.

Step 17: Remove from oven

Step 18: Loosen sides of tortes from pans and remove them to wire racks

Step 19: Keeping the meringue side up.

Step 20: Add filling and topping

Step 21: MERINGUE:

Step 22: Beat egg whites, salt and cream of tartar until they stand in soft peaks.

Step 23: Add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating very thoroughly after each addition.

Step 24: Then add vanilla.

Step 25: STRAWBERRY FILLING AND TOPPING:

Step 26: Combine whipped cream and confectioners sugar.

Step 27: Fold in sliced strawberries.

Step 28: Spread half between layers of Blitz Torte (meringue side up) and use remaining as topping.

Step 29: Decorate with whole berries.

Step 30: Refrigerate if not serving immediately.