Strawberry Cake for a Friend Who DOES NOT like Chocolate.

October happens to be birthdays month. We celebrated three birthdays in two weeks, for our long-time friend, for him, and for myself. It was Oct 3rd, and this friend of mine, doesn't like any chocolatey ingredients in dessert. Thus, fruit cake is the only kind to go for. On the other hand, I love cakes, I love desserts which are creamy, chocolatey, and non-fruit base kind. It was hard to pick a cake recipe, I don't prefer fruit-based, the birthday boy doesn't like chocolate. I have tried making orange cake in the summer 2006, it was a big hit and I was remembered making The Orange cake. I tried blueberry coffee cake, but it didn't turn out perfect because the fruit was sour. Okay, I guess we can all agree on strawberry cake, the childhood flavor and the symbol of elegance. The cake might be gone by now, but the friendship is here to stay.

By wyteh

Ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin mix
• 1 cup mashed fresh strawberries
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 eggs
  

Strawberry Frosting:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 cup of corn starch
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) round pans.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and gelatin mix. Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup mashed strawberries, oil, milk and eggs. Beat until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Pour the batter into two pans.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then slowly flip the cake out of the pan.
   
4. To make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: Mash the 3/4 cup strawberries to make 1/2 cup, then drain well; set aside. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Blend in the confectioners' sugar and drained strawberries. Beat on medium speed until the frosting lightens and is well combined. Frost cake between layers, on top and sides. Chill until frosting sets before serving.