Triple Decker Strawberry Cake

here’s the recipe for that Southern Living Triple Decker Strawberry Cake that i made for Jake the other day. there are many variations, but here’s the one i used...

for the cake:

1 package white cake mix

1 (3 oz) package strawberry gelatin

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 flour

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup milk

for the frosting:

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

32 oz powdered sugar, sifted

1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

beat all cake ingredients on low for 1 minute, scrape down sides, and then beat for 2 or more minutes on medium speed, or until combined.

here’s what it should look like:

pour batter evenly into 3 greased and floured 9-inch cakepans:

bake at 350 for 23 minutes (i actually baked mine 5 extra minutes, but i wish i hadn’t. stick as close to the 23 minutes as possible). its done when a toothpick comes out clean. (you can also test by lightly pressing the cake to see if it springs back, but i think the toothpick test is more accurate!) cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes:

then remove from pans and cool completely:

to prepare the frosting:

cream 2 sticks of butter at medium speed until light and fluffy.

sift powdered sugar, and add to butter slowly, combining well. add in strawberries. you will have to scrap sides and bottom of bowl regularly until combined. it’ll seem really thick until the strawberries are mixed through.

be smart with your mixer, unlike me, and remember to not add alot of powdered sugar all at once…or this will happen:

here’s what the finished frosting looks like…its pretty thick:

Layer cakes on top of each other, with a thick layer of frosting between each one. pile the remaining frosting on top of the last layer…

spread the frosting evenly down the sides of the cake, and smooth top and sides.

decorate as desired!

refrigerate until read to serve:

jake loves strawberry anything, which is the ONLY reason he has a pink cake!!

we polished off the whole cake in less than 24 hours! (although we did have a little help!