STRAWBERRY CAKE & FROSTING

FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE
We loved!  Next time try in a 9x13 or sheet cake.  Jackson wants for his birthday.  Could try blackberry too.  Frosting turned out runny for me (but just reread recipe and noticed I was suppose to put in fridge for 30 min or so before frosting - did original frosting).  We froze the leftover frosting.  UPDATE: was awesome frozen!!  Yum!  This would be a good cake to cut up into single serving pieces and freeze and eat frozen.
http://spicedblog.com/fresh-strawberry-cake.html

• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk

1. Grease and flour 2 9” round cake pans; set aside. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well combined; set aside.
3. Using a countertop mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Add about ½ of the flour mixture to the bowl; mix on low speed until well combined.
5. Add the sour cream, vanilla, and approximately half of the milk to the bowl. Mix on low until well combined.
6. Add the remaining flour mixture; mix on low until well combined.
7. Add the remaining milk; mix on low until well combined. (Tip: Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully mixed.)
8. Divide the batter evenly between the 2 cake pans. Bake at 325°F for 34-36 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

ORIGINAL STRAWBERRY FROSTING

See above note -turned out runny.  We froze leftovers.  Just noticed I was suppose to put in fridge for 30 minutes before decorating.

• 3 cups heavy cream (did 2 cups)
• 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 3 pints (~2 pounds) strawberries, stems and hulls removed

1. In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. (See note below.)
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese on high speed until light and fluffy. (Tip: Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice during this step.)
3. Add the sugar and vanilla; beat on medium speed until fully combined.
4. Meanwhile, slice ⅓ of the strawberries into thin slices; set aside. Dice the remaining strawberries into smaller pieces.
5. Add the diced strawberries to the bowl and mix until fully combined. (Note: The frosting will turn pink; mix until frosting is uniform in color.)
6. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the whipped cream with a large spoon or spatula.
7. Finally, fold in the sliced strawberries.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Looks yummy - want to try.

• 12 Tbsp (6 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1½ Tbsp vanilla extract
• 5½-6 cups powdered sugar
• 3 cups strawberries, diced

1. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
3. Using a spatula or large spoon, stir in diced strawberries.

GRANDMA'S STRAWBERRY CAKE (but not my Grandma)

Found this recipe in Homemaking Blueprints (pg. 32) - a free book I got at Church once. My family just loves it. I have also made it using raspberry juice and some blackberries. I brought this to Lisa's one night we were playing games. She took the leftovers and froze them. She individual pieces wrapped each individually and froze. They said they are really good (Kambria especially liked).

Mix:

1 box white cake mix

1 box (3 oz) strawberry gelatin (I think any flavor would work)

1 T flour

Add and mix:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oil (I did 1/2 applesauce)

Then add 4 eggs one at a time beating well after each egg. (I did 2 of the eggs with flaxmeal (1 T to 3 T water, sit 2 min.)

Add and mix well:

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 box undrained frozen strawberries (about 1/2 cup) I usually thaw a little

Pour into 2 9" pans or a 9x13 that have been well greased and floured if you are going to remove from pans. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes. Cool and remove from pans. When completely cooled, frost with Strawberry Frosting.

STRAWBERRY FROSTING

If doing a 9x13 half of the recipe is just right.

UPDATE: Twice this frosting has failed for me.  But it tastes good.  Maybe next time look on pinterest first and get a different recipe.

Using a mixer, mix really well 16 oz powdered sugar with 1/2 cup (2 cubes) softened butter or margarine. 
Add 1/2 cup undrained (slightly softened) frozen strawberries and 1 tsp vanilla. Blend well.