Instructions

For the Cake

1. Grease one 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set pan aside.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 1 minute after each. Add dry mixture and milk alternately to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just till combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan(s).
4. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
5. Place 13x9-inch cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly.

For the Cream Cheese Layer

1. Beat cream cheese until whipped, then add milk and vanilla and beat again
2. Add in (beating each time) confectioner's sugar 1 cup at a time

To assemble trifle

1. Cut the cooled cake into bite sized squares. Make a complete row inside your trifle bowl, making sure there are no "holes" (might take a few layers to achieve this) This should take half of your cake
2. Spread half of the tub of whipped cream over cake
3. Add in the can of strawberry pie filling
4. Top the strawberries with all of the cream cheese frosting
5. Place the rest of the cake on top of the cream cheese
6. Spread the rest of the whipped cream on top of the cake
7. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired
8. Store - covered - in refrigerator until serving