Recipe: Triple-Decker Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

TRIPLE-DECKER STRAWBERRY CAKE

We doubled the frosting called for in original recipe to add extra richness to this cake. It keeps best in the refrigerator.

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix*
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)
Garnish: whole strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.

Beat the cake mix and next 7 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 1 minute. Scrape down the sides, and beat at medium speed 2 more minutes, stopping to scrape down sides, if needed. (Strawberries should be well blended into batter.) Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 23 minutes or until cakes spring back when lightly pressed with a finger. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

Spread Strawberry Buttercream Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately, or chill up to 1 week.

*Note: For testing purposes only, we used Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Classic White Cake Mix without pudding.

TO MAKE AHEAD:
Place finished cake in the refrigerator, uncovered, and chill for 20 minutes or until the frosting sets. Cover well with wax paper, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze, wrap chilled cake with aluminum foil, and freeze up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Makes 16 servings

STRAWBERRY BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1 cup butter, softened
2 packages (16 ounces each) powdered sugar, sifted
1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer 20 seconds or until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and chopped strawberries, beating at low speed until creamy. (Add more sugar if frosting is too thin, or add strawberries if too thick.)

Makes 2 1/2 cups
Source: Southern Living, March 2004