Simple Strawberry Cake

Making something and taking it to work is fun because no one expects you to do it, and you usually get some nice complements. This time was no exception. I have brought stuff into work before; banana nut bread John and I weren't going to eat, left over Halloween candy ect. But never have I made something and taken it to work specifically for them. As those of you who are reading this blog know, I am deepening my love for cooking this year. I wanted to make cake. Truth be told, I have a little bit of a sweet tooth, but since John and I are the only two around to eat the sweets I make, I decided to share with my co-workers (AKA test bunnies). So that I had the experience of making a dessert, had some, but did not have to eat the whole thing and get fat.

I got this recipe from miss Paula Dean. I have been saving it in my recipe box for a long time. Now seemed as good of a time as any to make it since I had almost all of the ingredients in my pantry or freezer.

  It is really easy. Take a white cake mix, add a box of strawberry Jello. Take a package of frozen strawberries in syrup and blend them. Add them to the cake mix and Jello. Stir together. Add eggs, vegetable oil and water. Combine. Put in greased and floured cake pans. bake for twenty minutes. Cool on rack for ten minutes. Then turn them over and take them out of the pans. Cool completely and frost.

I did everything like the recipe said, except for I did not grease and flour the pans. I just used Pam nonstick cooking spray. Big mistake. When I turned the cakes over half of the cake came out. The other half stayed in the pan. Sad!

Undaunted I went back to the store and bought some more strawberries to blend and remake my cake. This time I used chocolate cake mix and cherry Jello. I also greased and floured the pan. This time everything went smoothly. I cooled the cakes and made some strawberry cream cheese icing.

I took my cake to work and shared it with the test bunnies at lunch time. They went crazy. I got multiple requests for the recipe. I am also starting to get a reputation (at work at least) for being a good cook. Some co-workers have even asked me what else I have made lately that is good. This makes me happy.

This recipe is adaptable to what ever flavor you want. Jello makes a lot of different flavors. Some variations I have thought of are chocolate cake with orange jello and almond icing, White cake with apricot jello and mango puree and mango icing. The possibilities could be almost endless.

If you want to make this recipe in your cooking district, here is the recipe.

Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake
 

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix
• 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
• 1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Strawberry cream cheese frosting, recipe follows
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
• 7 cups confectioners' sugar
• Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish, optional

• Directions

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.

  In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
  
  For the frosting:

  In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree and the vanilla extract. (The rest of the puree is leftover but can be used in smoothies or on ice cream for a delicious treat.) Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth.
  Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.