French Strawberry Cake

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.

Step 2
Whip together 1 cup sugar and butter using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until pale and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.

Step 3
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat until just combined after each addition. Fold in strawberries.

Step 4
Spread batter into the prepared cake pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup sugar evenly over the top.

Step 5
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.