Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake 
Based on 24 reviews
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
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
Strawberry cream cheese frosting, recipe follows
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
1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
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 gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting:
In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree and the vanilla 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.
Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time:
Cook Time: 20 min
Difficulty: Easy
Show: Paula's Best Dishes
Ratings for this Entry:
Submitted on November 11, 2009
I cook using Paula's recipes every week, and they always turn out fabulous. However, I will not use this one again. The cake took at least 2x longer to bake, and the frosting was runny. it did taste great though, just looked like a hot mess!
Submitted on November 11, 2009
Made this for my daughter's 7th birthday. She loved that her cake was pink and everyone raved about it. It's been voted to be our special Christmas cake this year. Thanks Paula!
Submitted on November 11, 2009
This cake is delicious. I made it for my son's girlfriend on her birthday and she loved it. I did have to bake it a little longer than the recipe recommended. We loved it!
Submitted on October 10, 2009
Awesome recipe! I have made it several times...everyone loves it! I love having the extra strawberry puree for ice cream, pancakes and waffles!
Submitted on September 9, 2009
This cake is AWESOME good. I made it trying the recipe out for a family reunion. Everyone who tasted it just loved it even those who aren't all about strawberries like I am. The cake layers are moist & light and the frosting almost tastes like s sb milkshake. Just thinking of it makes me wish I had a slice now!
Submitted on September 9, 2009
I made this cake trying it out for a family reunion dinner. OMG!! Just awesome. The cake is so easy & moist. The frosting tastes like sb milkshake. My entire family loved it even the ones who are not strawberry lover like me. It didn't last long. It's one of my all time faves.
Submitted on September 9, 2009
I also agree that a 15oz package of frozen strawberries with syrup is wayyy too much for the cake. I only made the cake from this recipe and did not make the icing as I already have a cream cheese icing recipe that I really like. The cake had way too much liquid in it using the 15oz package of strawberries. And yes, I did follow the directions exactly. I had to try it again reducing the amount of strawberry puree and other liquids before the cake would even set.
Submitted on September 9, 2009
I tried this recipe twice. The first time I followed it exactly as written and there was way to much liquid; the cake fell and never cooked through in the center. Just for giggles I baked it for an hour (I already knew it was headed for the garbage can anyway) and the edges were brick hard and the center was still runny. I had triple checked all of my measurements during the mixing, so I know I put in exactly what was requested. Then I read through the reviews which I should have done from the beginning. The second time I followed the suggestions of another poster and reduced the amount of pureed strawberries to a 10 oz package instead of the 15 oz package. I also reduced the amount of water and oil by a couple of tablespoons. This time the cake rose well and cooked through fine in a reasonable amount of time, but it was extremely dense and heavy; more consistent of a fruitcake or dense banana bread. The flavor was great, but this really didn't turn out cakey like I was expecting. So it's a thumbs up for the flavor, but thumbs down on the directions and the resulting texture. Sorry Paula, I usually love your recipes, but I just can't seem to get this one to work for me!
Submitted on August 8, 2009
If this is the same cake that I ate at Paula Deen's restaurant at Harrah's Casino in Tunica, MS, it is proabaly THE best cake I've ever had. And I didn't even know I like strawberry cake. It's now a must for my recipe box and will probably become my favorite birthday cake. Haven't made the recipe yet but will post back as soon as I do.
Submitted on August 8, 2009
yummy
Submitted on July 7, 2009
I had this cake on Saturday and it was the most melt in your mouth delicious cake I've ever eaten.
Submitted on July 7, 2009
I made this recipe for my partners birthday! When I say this cake is HEAVEN when it hits your mouth! I served it with dutch milk chocolate ice cream. Sweet LORD!
Submitted on July 7, 2009
This is the most fabulous strawberry cake I have ever tasted! Bet you can't eat just one piece.
Submitted on June 6, 2009
I just love this cake. It was is loved by my family. We also love cherries and I would like to know if I could use cherries instead of the strawberries in this recipe?
Submitted on June 6, 2009
I have spruced up many box cake mixes.This by far is the BEST!! I like that it is easy and it has become my family's favorite.
Submitted on June 6, 2009
So which is it Strawberry extract or Vanilla?
Submitted on June 6, 2009
There's quite a few of these types of recipes wandering around out there...this one is the best...by far!
Submitted on June 6, 2009
I HAVE MADE THIS CAKE, IT IS TO DIE FOR!!! THE REVIEWER WHO SAID TO USE 10 OZ STRAWBERRY NOT 15 IS WRONG, IF THEY WOULD HAVE READ CORRECTLY YOU USE 15 OZ OF STRAWBERRY IN THE CAKE MIX AND YOU USE ONLY PART OF THE 10 OZ BERRY IN THE ICING AND SERVE THE REST OF THE BERRIES OVER A SLICE OF THE CAKE ONCE IT HAS BEEN CUT. DON'T CHANGE THE RECIPE AT ALL
Submitted on June 6, 2009
This is a great recipe - but is written with a typo. Ingredients list should show: 1 (10-ounce package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed) If 15 oz. of frozen strawberries is used, the cake has too much liquid, the middle sinks, & the cake texture is all wrong! Use the 10 oz pkg & you have a great cake - pretty, tasty, & easy to make. Just trying to help the next cook who compulsively follows recipes as written-
Submitted on April 4, 2009
This is the absolute best strawberry cake you will ever try. The taste is amazing. The color of the cake is beautiful. The recipe has it all. There is no artificial taste like you get with the box mixes. My family loved it.
Submitted on April 4, 2009
I have tried a lot of the recipes on the site but this is the only one we have not cared for. If you don't like jello you probably won't care for this recipe either. The cake is moist but it is not a "cake-like" texture. We also found it to have an artificial strawberry flavor. I may try again and leave the gelatin out.
Submitted on March 3, 2009
This cake is AMAZING and sooo easy. I have made it twice in the last week to carry to different functions. I ahve made it in a sheet cake instead of a layer cake! LOVE THIS RECIPE!!!!!
Submitted on February 2, 2009
This is the most moist and 'delicious' strawberry cake that I've ever had and the recipe is very easy to follow. The recipe for the frosting tasted like a strawberry milkshake. My family loved it. Since finding this recipe I've tried a different fruit using the basic recipe. So far I've adapted the recipe and used peaches. Just as wonderful and delicious. Today I'm going to make a lemon version and I expect no less than perfection also. Thanks Paula, you've got me baking cakes again...
Submitted on February 2, 2009
This is an awesome cake. Everyone always loves this and it is requested frequently.
