On the Ninth Day of Christmas I make my husband’s favorite cake! His mom gave me this recipe when I married her son 41 years ago. She told me it was his favorite and I’ve been making it ever since!
INGREDIENTS
1 box white cake mix
1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant jello
1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
Ingredients for strawberry cream cheese frosting.
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
7 cups confectioners’ sugar
Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish, optional
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix and Jello mix. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into greased and flowered pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
While cake is cooling-beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth. Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.
Note: For a festive change you can add ½ cup chopped nuts and ½ cup shaved coconut to the cake batter before baking if desired.
Let me introduce you to Ann Lacey and her historical romance, A Second Chance for Murder! I love Regency romances and murder mysteries! Miss Lacey’s novel is already in my to be read pile!
A Second Chance for Murder by Ann Lacey
When a young woman is murdered during a party at the family estate and local authorities are unable to find the culprit, Lady Thora Mannington decides to take matters into her own hands and sets out to find the killer herself!
Fearing for his impulsive sister’s safety, her brother, Nyle turns to his friend Lord Garren Huntscliff for help. Though his investigating days are over, Garren cannot refuse his troubled friend. No sooner does he take on the case than two more deaths occur and he soon discovers that he is matching wits against a dangerous and clever killer. Complicating his effort is the lovely Lady Thora, who insists on joining forces with him yet refuses to adhere to his cautions, continually places herself at risk and is so disarmingly enchanting that he finds himself falling for her. Now Garren has two things on his mind, find a crafty and elusive killer and keep the reckless Lady Thora from becoming a victim herself!
Pick up a copy today from Amazon.
As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Ann donated a $25 Amazon card to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.
About the Author
I spent much of my life in New Jersey but have also lived in Florida and Wyoming. I currently reside in the lake region of central North Carolina. Living close to water, there are days when fog rolls in off the lake and creates an eerie mist. I love it but my dog, Molly, takes one look and refuses to leave the house.
When I’m not writing I read (lately with the help of a powerful pair of readers). For me there’s nothing better than a good who-done- it or a steamy romance! On rainy days, I enjoy watching old movies especially film noir and I can spend hours in an antique store.
I have recently moved to North Carolina and I’m delighted to say that southern hospitality truly exists!
