5 Year Anniversary Week: The Best Strawberry Cake

This is probably our most popular dessert ever!  It's amazing!

Ingredients for Cake:

·         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

Ingredients for 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 for the Cake:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 3 8-inch round cake pans.
2.  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.
3.  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.

Directions for the frosting:

1.  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 strawberry extract. (The rest of the puree is leftover but can be used in smoothies or on ice cream for a delicious treat.)
2. 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.