Add Greek yogurt, vanilla extract and lemon zest, then mix until combined.

Add eggs one at a time, followed by the single yolk. Scrape sides each time you stop to add next egg + yolk.

In a separate bowl, combine AP flour, cornstarch, baking powder, basking soda and salt. Whisk to combine then set aside.

In small bowl, combine milk and lemon juice. Slowly, add dry ingredients to butter mixture, alternating with milk/lemon juice. Mix until well combined, stopping to scrap down sides as needed.

Divide cake batter evenly between the three 8 prepared pans and bake for 22-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few crumbs.

Allow cakes to cool 3-4 minutes, then take a butter knife and run it around the outside edges of each cake then flip and remove from pans and allow to continue cooling on rack.

If you’re making the cake ahead, once the cake is almost fully cooled, wrap each layer in 2 layers of plastic wrap, then seal each one in a gallon freezer bag, add them to a large baking sheet and freeze. (I do this with all my cakes, allows me to make them in stages, helps trap the moisture and makes frosting them easier later!)

Add vanilla and lemon juice, then continue mixing until well blended.

Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time until sugar is incorporated. Store Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream in refrigerator until ready to frost cake.

Spread a small amount of frosting on cake board or cake pedestal to keep first layer in place, followed by first cake layer. Again I freeze my layers first, so I just pull them out of the freezer and start the assembling while still frozen. Once first layer is on board/pedestal, pipe or layer frosting around the outside edge of the cake. This creates a boarder to keep the strawberry preserves from running out the sides.

Add the strawberry preserves, spreading out in an even layer. You’ll use half of the 12 oz jar on the bottom layer and the rest on the middle layer, none on top.

After you have your layer of strawberry preserves, add a layer of the buttercream and smooth into an even layer. Add middle layer of cake and repeat with piping the frosting around outer edge, layer of preserves, then buttercream. Finally top with top cake layer, add frosting to top and outer edges, then smooth and decorate as desired.

Store cake in refrigerator. Allow cake to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes or so before serving.