Strawberry Cake

If you own my cookbook you have a strawberry cake recipe that has been around forever.  Well, last weekend for the super bowl I wanted to make a strawberry cake, but revise my old version.  I like this one, there is always room for change when cooking and baking.  Keep in mind, it is the weekend and I love to indulge, especially with desserts.  I do not create desserts that are sugar and fat free!  Why?  This is our time to have some fun.  You do not have to eat the entire cake, enjoy life!  Trust me on this!

1 – White Classic Duncan Hines Cake Mix
1 - 3 ounce package of strawberry jello

3 – large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup – vegetable oil
1 – 8 ounce cream cheese room temperature
1 cup of sliced and chopped strawberries, which have been sprinkled with ¼ cup of sugar, 1 jigger of rum.  Set aside the strawberries, sugar and rum for  30 minutes before you start mixing the cake.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon butter flavored extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Mix the above in a mixer for 2 minutes on high speed.  Spray a 9 X 13 pan with a non stick spray coating and then flour.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Pour the cake mix in the pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.  Please remember do not over bake.  If your cake tester comes out clean you have baked this too long.  Leaving crumbs on your cake tester is just perfect! Keep it moist!

Let cool and ice with this recipe

4 cups of powdered sugar
4 ounces of cream cheese – room temperature
½ stick of butter – room temperature
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of butter flavored extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
3 tablespoon of heavy cream

Mix until well blended and creamy, add additional heavy cream if you need to.  The consistency should be creamy but not too creamy!   Garnish with fresh strawberries. 

Enjoy and have fun!  Make memories!  How about opening a bottle of Prosecco?  Guaranteed to have fun!  But please remember enjoy responsibly.  Do not drink and drive.  This is a dessert to enjoy at home and not driving to and from someone’s home!