Strawberry Shortcake (The Best)

Cake Ingredients:

1 cup (250 milliliters) all-purpose flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, separated
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1.5 cups (310 milliliters) sugar
1/2 cup (125 milliliters) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
1/2 cup (125 milliliters) milk
Strawberry-Vanilla Mixture:

2/3 cup (375 milliliters) fresh strawberry slices
1/4 cup (around 15 milliliters) sugar
1 vanilla pod
Whipped Cream:

3/4 cup (375 milliliters) heavy cream
3/4 cup (45 milliliters) sugar
1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
For Assembly:

Ripe fresh strawberries, whole or sliced
Cake Preparation:

Continued on the next page