The Best Strawberry Cake Ever

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix
• 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
• 1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• ¼ cup water
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• Strawberry cream cheese frosting, recipe follows
• Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 7 cups confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
• Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water; beat atmedium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for twenty minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Let cool in pans for ten minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
4. For the frosting:
5. In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in ¼ cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract. (The rest of the puree is leftover but can be used in smoothies or on ice cream for a delicious treat.) Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth.
6. Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.