I've been slacking. Busy and away, no time to play-boo hoo. Sorry about that. I can't promise regular posts in the summer. I just can't. When I have something exceptional, I will share it though. Never fear, I'm not holding out on you.
Sophia turned six on Sunday. I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, like I always do. I let the kids choose the cake flavor and I surprise them with a theme. Sophia stretches me. In more ways than one. She helps me think outside the box. Love that kid. Two years ago she requested carrot cake. Huh? A four year old asking for carrot cake? She got carrot cake, and I might add, it was one of the better cakes I have ever made. Thinking her tastes might have matured, being six and all, I was expecting spice cake with maple nut ice cream this year. You never know with her. This year we were back to child-like requests. Strawberry cake. Having never made such a cake, I had to do a little investigation. I found a great recipe. Not as "from scratch" as I would like, but delicious all the same. Strawberry Cake with fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting. It even sounds pretty. While away to the North Shore a few weeks ago, I found a treasure of an antique shop. Not a "junk" shop with everything piled on top of everything piled on top, but a sweet spot. It's an old house, just decorated with antique and vintage items, beautifully displayed, almost as if someone lived there. Very nice. Anyway, I spotted this two tiered plate stand and immediately my wheels were set into motion. I left it to ponder (like I always do), and knew I could not shake it, so it had to be mine. I went back a few days later as we were leaving town, I figured if it was still there, it was meant to be. SCORE! When I got home I found the perfect color melamine plates to fit in the holder, at Tuesday Morning, in the clearance section. Another SCORE! It was coming together quite nicely. I have a little glass vial flower vase that I filled with water and garden roses and stuck the vase down into the middle of the cake. Perfectly pink, pretty and very girly for my six year old. The recipe for the cake goes like this...Combine one package of white cake mix and one three ounce box of strawberry jello. Beat in 1/2 cup vegetable oil, four lightly beaten room temperature eggs, 1/4 cup water and 3/4 cup mashed, fresh strawberries. Pour into two greased and floured 9" round pans (I also take the extra precaution to add a parchment layer to the bottom of the pan). Cake that breaks apart, while taking it out of the pan, makes me crabby-so you live and learn. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and frost with the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting. The frosting is delicious and easy. Beat 1/4 cup unsalted room temperature butter with 8 ounces room temperature cream cheese until combined and creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup pureed fresh strawberries and half a bag of powdered sugar. You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on the consistency you are looking for. The cake was light and moist and delicious, and such a nice surprise to occasionally run into a piece of real strawberry.
There you have it. I was happy, my guests were happy and Sophia was happy. And on that day, she's the only one that mattered anyway :)
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