Simply Delicious Strawberry 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

½ cup vegetable oil

¼ cup water

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

¼ cup butter, softened

1 (8 ounce) package cream, cheese, softened

1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed

½ teaspoon strawberry extract

7 cups confectioners’ sugar

Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish, optional

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 instered 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 spreed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Beat in ¼ cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract.  (the rest of the puree is leftover but can e used in smoothies or on ice cream for a treat).  Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth.

Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake.  Garnish with slices fresh strawberries, if desired.

Note:  I made this for a birthday cake and it was a hit.  You may need to play with the icing, it was a bit thick, then I got it too thin.  If I made it again I would possibly double the cake recipe and have a 4 layered cake.   Then you may need to have more frosting but it make a lot of frosting.  Also you must like strawberries to like this cake.