Put the Cake Into the Strawberries

This is from Paula Deen's May/June 2008 magazine


Strawberry Cake:

1 box white cake mix
1, 3-ounce box strawberry flavored instant gelatin
10 ounce package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
4 large eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup water
Strawberry cream cheese frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease two, nine-inch cake pans. In large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil and water. Beat and medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on wire racks. Spread frosting between layers, and on top and sides of cake.

Strawberry cream cheese frosting:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1, 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
10-ounce package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
7 cups confectioners sugar

In large bowl, on medium speed, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup strawberry puree. Reserve remaining puree for another use. Beat in extract and gradually add sugar. Combine until smooth.