• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
• Prepare Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined and creamy.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Add Strawberries: Gently fold in the sliced strawberries into the batter until evenly distributed.
• Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Serve: Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve. Enjoy your delicious homemade strawberry cake!

For Strawberry Sauce:

• Prepare the Strawberries: Rinse the strawberries under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove the green hulls and slice the strawberries into thin pieces.
• Cook the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and water.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
• Once the mixture reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the strawberries are soft and the sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.