Grandma'S Strawberry Meringue Torte
["4 large eggs, separated", "1/2 c. butter, softened", "1 1/4 c. sugar, divided", "4 Tbsp. milk", "1 c. cake flour, sifted with 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/8 tsp. salt", "1 tsp. vanilla extract", "1/2 tsp. cream of tartar", "container of Cool Whip", "1 pkg. frozen strawberries with sugar added", "fresh strawberries (for decoration; optional)"]
["Beat butter and 1/2 cup sugar with electric mixer until creamy.", "Add yolks, one at a time.", "Add milk.", "Beat until smooth. Sift together cake flour, baking powder and salt.", "Gradually add to butter mixture.", "Continue beating until smooth.", "Stir in vanilla.", "Pour into 2 well-greased 9-inch round cake pans.", "Beat (room temperature) egg whites until frothy.", "Gradually add remainder of sugar (3/4 cup) and cream of tartar; beat until soft peaks are formed.", "Spread meringue over batter evenly."]
["eggs", "butter", "sugar", "milk", "cake flour", "vanilla extract", "cream of tartar", "frozen strawberries with sugar", "fresh strawberries"]