Easy Strawberry Cake

By á-46561

A boxed cake mix makes this Strawberry Cake recipe super easy. Add to that a super tasty homemade strawberry frosting and you have a winning dessert the whole family will be smiling for!

Ingredients

• STRAWBERRY FROSTING:
• 1 (16.25-ounces) box white cake mix
• 1 (3-ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
• 1/2 cup milk 2%
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup fresh strawberry puree
• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup heavy cream plus more if needed*
• 1/2 cup strawberry jam

Preparation

Step 1

CAKE:

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake mix, gelatin, milk, oil, eggs and fresh strawberry puree.

Beat on low speed until mixed, then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Grease and flour two 9" round cake pans (see instructions below for 9x13-INCH cake pan**).

Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.

Bake at 325°F for 29 minutes, or until the top of the cake bounces back when you touch it.

Allow the cakes to cool for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter for 1 to 2 minutes until nearly white in appearance.

Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract. Beat on low for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Mix in the heavy cream* and another 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat on low for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the last 2 cups of powdered sugar and the strawberry jam. Beat on low speed until mixed, then beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, until the frosting is creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

FROSTING CAKE:

Place one cake layer on a cake plate.

Spread frosting on top of the first layer.

Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting.

Use the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the layer cake.

Optional: Decorate the top middle of the cake with a few tablespoons of strawberry jam and fresh strawberries.

Store at room temperature until serving, then store leftovers in the refrigerator.

NOTES:

*Add additional heavy cream by the tablespoon until it is to the consistency you'd like.

**To make a 9x13-inch cake, prepare the cake as described above. Pour the cake batter in a greased 9x13-inch cake pan. Bake at 325°F for 35 minutes, or until the center of the cake bounces back when you touch it.

If you make a 9x13-inch cake, you won't need quite as much frosting. Use these amounts for frosting, preparing it in the same way as described above:

1 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream
1/3 cup strawberry jam