Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake

I was first introduced to this delictable cake by a lady we attend church with.  She came over one Saturday when Allen was going to be gone for most of the day and we had a baking party.  Baking parties rock.  So I owe Tammy a huge thank you for introducing me to a slice of heaven on earth. 

This is a Paula Deen recipe so that is all the proof you need that food magic is about to happen.  Allen isn't a big strawberry fan (freak) and he now says it's his favorite cake I've ever made.  Score! 

The cake is incredibly moist.  There is nothing worse than a dry cake.  And the icing...o my heavens!  The icing is perfection. 

I've made it 2 seperate times and I've come to the conclusion it's best if you make it as a layer cake vs. using a cake pan.  Regardless of how you make it, just do it. 


Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake-
  Click here for the food network directions

Ingredients

• 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

• 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

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.

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. 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.

For the frosting:

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