My Birthday Treat: An Ultimate Strawberry Cake!

Hi, everyone!

Thank you all for my birthday wishes on Facebook. Today is my 29^th birthday and I feel GREAT! :) Someone asked me this morning what kind of dessert I like on my birthday and that would have to be my Strawberry Cake. We have it listed as “Strawberry Cupcakes” on QVC.com, but obviously, you can do a traditional cake. It's just so good...I had to share the recipe again, especially because I bet there are lots of you who haven't seen it!

Strawberry Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 1 (3-oz) box of strawberry Jell-O
• 5 oz frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup cold water

Strawberry Syrup:

• 2 cups sliced & hulled fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3-4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 4 Tbsp Strawberry Syrup (recipe below), chilled
• 1-3 Tbsp milk
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Preparation:

1. To prepare the cake, preheat the oven to the recommended temperature on the cake box. Combine the cake mix, flour, and Jell-O in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix on medium speed while adding the oil, eggs, and strawberries.
2. Mix well and pour into two 9” round cake pans OR a 12-cup muffin pan lined with cupcake liners. Bake the cake according to the package directions. Cool completely before frosting.
3. To prepare the strawberry syrup, combine the strawberries, water, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and pour it into blender. Blend until smooth.
4. To prepare the frosting, cream the butter and the confectioners' sugar together. Add the strawberry syrup, one Tbsp at a time, and the salt (if desired) and beat on high for 30 seconds, until fluffy. If it's too thick, add the milk, one Tbsp at a time, until it's the desired consistency.

If you like strawberries, I know you’ll love this cake. In fact, if you like strawberries, you HAVE to make this cake. I think today is your birthday, too, isn’t it?

XOXO,
—Jill