Victory Dance For Strawberry Birthday Cake!



This pictures color was not enhanced! First let me just say, Kroger has amazing strawberries! And thank god that Publix lets you buy their famous buttercream. Until I can crack that recipe, buying it will have to do. Its hubby's favorite! Now that my props are all finished....

This was a "spring board" recipe, as I call it. I spring alot, have trouble following instructions. I like to think of it as "creative" though it could be considered "rebellious". (smile)

(ingridiants under instructions, I wanna be difficult!)

It starts with Pamela's GF Vanilla Cake Mix, I decided to follow the instructions for "light and fluffy" adding 4 eggs since I was planning on altering it with 1/3 cup buttermilk and jello brand "cheesecake" sugar free pudding mix. I also added an extra bit of sugar. I'd guess it was about a teaspoon or two.

while those cook and cool, you take 1 lb frozen strawberries, 1/4 cup of water, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2/3s to 1 cup sugar. (based on what you like) and cook it on medium low, stirring occasionally until the berries defrost. Then use an emulsion blender to attack the berries. Leave on medium low until it gets warm (finger test), then it will probably still take another 20 Min's before its done. I added a very small amount of dissolved cornstarch to thicken it slightly. That's kinda a personal taste sorta thing though.

The hardest part is WAITING for everything to cool before assembling! lets be honest, THAT'S THE FUN PART! Playing with your food! After it does all cool down, I added (on top first cake layer) sauce then diced fresh berries, then sauce, then icing, more than half. Then you carefully place top layer. then its the opposite, icing, then berries then sauce. so you'll need...

1 bag Pamelas classic vanilla cake mix

4 large eggs

1 lb frozen berries

2 pints fresh berries diced (except 8 to halve for decoration)

jello brand sugar free cheesecake pudding mix

1/3 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup water (cake)

1/4 cup water (berries)

oil (they say 1/4 cup on site, but I don't recall adding that much,

I'd follow instructions though if I were you.)

1 tsp or 2 sugar (cake mix)

1 cup sugar (berries) or less

2 tbsp lemon juice

Plus whip cream or buttercream icing

cooked at 325 (was unsure about that one, next time I might defy and do 350 or at least 340) for 18 - 25 mins depending on oven, pans, alltitude, etc. so just watch it after 18. Your looking for signs of doneness like seperating from the pan, or cracks/airholes, then test with hand or toothpick. (or jiggle)

THATS IT! It was lovely, moist fantasic and fun.

Took me a total of : 2 hours, but worth the effort!

(nom nom nom)