Birthday Time!

This time I made a yummy 3 layer strawberry cake with strawberry frosting.  We celebrated my sweet William's 4th birthday, plus Uncle Tony, Auntie April and Uncle Chuck. Special shout out to Sandy who let me use her pans and Anne-Margaret for letting me borrow a really sweet cake cook book.  This cake was super delicious....although I ate two pieces and felt like I was on a sugar high! Cheers to strawberries!

Recipe:
Cake: (solid veg shortening for greasing the pan & flower for dusting the pan) OR PAM w/flour for baking.  1 pkg (18.25 ounces) plain white cake mix.  1 package strawberry gelatin (3 ounces).  4 tbls flour, 1 cup veg oil, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup whole milk, 4 large eggs 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries and juice

Frosting: 8 tbls (1 stick) of butter at room temp.  4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries and juice.  1 cup halved fresh strawberries for garnish

Directions: Oven at 350 degrees, rack in the center.  spray or coat 3 9 inch cake pans and set aside.
2. Place the cake mix, strawberry gelatin, flour, oil, sugar, milk, eggs and strawberries and juice in a large mixing bowl and blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute.  Stop the machine and scrape the sides. Increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes.   The strawberries should be blended well into the batter.  Divide the batter among the pans.  
3. Bake cakes until they spring back when lightly pressed with your finger or just start to pull away from the sides. 33-35 minutes.  Remove from oven and place on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes. then invert onto a rack, then invert onto another rack so that the cakes are right side up. COOL COMPLETELY.

4. Meanwhile prepare the frosting.  Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl and blend with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 20 seconds. Stop the machine and add 4 cups of powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of strawberries and juice. Blend on low speed until the frosting is creamy and spreadable. If its too thing add more sugar and if it is too thick add strawberries.