Sandra This Paula Deen Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake is a moist and easy recipe, which is made with a white cake mix and strawberry gelatin. It’s the perfect dessert for a summer celebration, a classic Southern favorite ready in about an hour.
Paula Deen Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake Ingredients
A classic Southern shortcut recipe for a perfectly pink and flavorful cake.
For the Cake:
- 1 (18.25 oz) box white cake mix
- 1 (3 oz) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
- 1 (15 oz) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup Vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) softened Butter
- 1 (8 oz) package softened cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
- 4 cups (about 1 lb) confectioner’s sugar
- Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish (optional)
How To Make Paula Deen Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake
A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully easy and moist doctored cake mix recipe.
- Prep Oven and Mix Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix and the dry gelatin powder.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: To the dry ingredients, add the pureed strawberries (including the syrup), eggs, oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the batter is smooth.
- Bake the Cakes: Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared pans. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Strawberry Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until creamy. Reserve 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree for the frosting (use the rest in the cake). Beat the 1/4 cup of strawberry puree and the strawberry extract into the cream cheese mixture.
- Finish Frosting and Assemble: Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar to the bowl, beating on low speed until combined, then on high until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Once the cake layers are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting between them, then frost the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.
Recipe Tips
For the most flavorful and perfectly moist strawberry cake.
- How to get the most strawberry flavor? The “double-dose” of strawberry is key! Using strawberry gelatin in the cake batter adds a huge boost of flavor and a beautiful pink color, while the real strawberry puree in both the cake and the frosting provides an authentic, fresh taste.
- Do I have to use frozen strawberries in syrup? This is a key component of the original-style recipe, as the syrup adds extra moisture and sweetness. If you want to use fresh strawberries, you should puree about 2 cups of fresh berries and add about 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the puree to mimic the sweetness.
- How do I prevent my cake layers from sticking? For a foolproof release every time, trace the bottom of your pans on parchment paper, cut out the circles, and place them in the bottom of the pans after greasing. Grease the parchment paper and then flour the pan as usual.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes. You can bake the cake layers a day in advance, let them cool completely, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature. The frosting can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Let the frosting soften slightly at room temperature before you assemble the cake.
What To Serve With Strawberry Cake
This sweet, fruity cake is a complete dessert on its own.
This classic Southern celebration cake is a star at any party, potluck, or family gathering. It’s wonderful served with:
- A tall, cold glass of milk
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A cup of hot coffee or tea to balance the sweetness
How To Store Strawberry Cake
Keeping your cake fresh and moist.
- Refrigerate: Because of the cream cheese frosting, this cake must be stored in the refrigerator. Keep it in a cake carrier or cover it loosely with plastic wrap. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 5 days.
Paula Deen Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per slice.
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 23 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This is a classic Southern baking technique for a “doctored” cake mix. The gelatin mix not only adds a huge amount of flavor and color but also makes the cake incredibly moist and tender, resulting in a foolproof and delicious cake every time.
A thin cream cheese frosting is usually because the butter or cream cheese was too soft. You can easily fix this by beating in more confectioner’s sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, until the frosting reaches a thicker, more spreadable consistency.
Yes, this recipe works perfectly in a 9×13-inch pan. The baking time will be slightly longer, around 30-35 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.
Try More Recipes:
- Paula Deen Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
- Paula Deen Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
- Paula Deen Tea Cakes Recipe
Paula Deen Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake Recipe
Description
An incredibly easy, moist, and perfectly pink strawberry layer cake made with a simple white cake mix and strawberry gelatin, all covered in a rich strawberry cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix and dry gelatin.
- Add the pureed strawberries (reserving 1/4 cup of the puree for the frosting), eggs, oil, and water. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese until creamy. Beat in the reserved 1/4 cup of strawberry puree and the strawberry extract.
- Gradually beat in the confectioner’s sugar until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting between the cooled layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.
Notes
- Using a boxed cake mix and gelatin is the secret to this super easy, foolproof, and incredibly moist cake.
- Ensure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened for a smooth, lump-free frosting.
- The cake must be completely cool before you attempt to frost it.
- Store the finished cake in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting.
