Hi there– It’s birthday season in our family. Three birthdays together at the start of May and three more at the end. So I’ve got birthday cakes on my mind. This will probably show up at a birthday party or two!!
The biggest bash is for my father-in-law Stu. He’s turning 90! –and is so beloved by everyone who knows him. You’ve never met a kinder more gracious man. Family is coming from far and wide to celebrate with our “Grandpa Stu”.
Hope you have some happy family birthdays on your horizon. And that they include cake, lots of cake.
STRAWBERRY CREAM CAKE
Cake:
1 cup strawberries, cut to small bits
1 strawberry cake mix
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup water
3 eggs
Topping:
2 cups strawberries, cut to small bits
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 oz. package vanilla instant pudding mix
1 big pretty strawberry for garnish
To make the cake, cut the strawberries fine. If they are still damp from cleaning, pat them dry.
Make the strawberry cake according to the directions on the box. (mine used 1/3 cup oil, 1 cup water & 3 eggs). Pour it into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish (or a 10″ springform pan) that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake the cake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until it is lightly browned and comes out firm to the touch. Let the cake cool completely before adding the topping!
To make the topping, cut the strawberries to small bits. Set them aside. Whip together the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla pudding mix with an electric mixer until it is stiff (the whisk attachment works best for this).
Stir in the strawberries and then pile it all onto the cooled cake. You can serve it right away, but it’s better to set the cake in the fridge for an hour or more to let the topping completely set. Enjoy!!
The Thankful Heart 
Whoa! Fun times ahead. Rhonda, my strawberry loving daughter would LOVE this!
I know Lacey– strawberries always seem like a party to me. xo
That looks so good!
thanks Cindy!! (still traveling??) xo
Hi Rhonda! I’m mad about strawberries (le fragole mi fanno impazzire!). Thank you for posting such a yummie recipe. Hugs. Simona
Love it when you write in Italian– some cognates with Spanish that I get!! (but some words not). You are amazing… xo
Ciao Rhonda! Sometimes I cannot help it and Italian words just come out 😉 I’m glad you like it. I bet you are very fluent in Spanish! Do you read books in Spanish? Even if Italian and Spanish are very similar I never attempted to study it. Funny, isn’t it? Have a nice time whatever you are doing 🙂 xoxo
HI Simona– Italian just sounds so warm and embracing. Once we were on vacation in Italy and I finished the books I had with me, so at the hotel I picked up an Italian magazine, hoping there were enough cognates to help me “read” it– but no. I was pretty much lost!! funny. I don’t read much in Spanish now that we’ve lived here so long. But I tutor high school kids who only speak Spanish so I get to practice. Anyway, thanks for all the Italian you send our way… hugs!
Looks good Rhonda. I have my two sisters birthday this month. Twins. X
That’s fun! Ae you from a big family?? My mom had 4 kids and so did we. So many aunts, uncles and cousins now… Happy twins birthday Brigid!! xo
There are just 4 of us girls. But my late mum and dad both came from families of 11!
What fun! I think it would be wonderful to have 3 sisters!! And 11 children??!! That’s a lot to keep up with! Don’t you wonder how your grandmothers did it?? When do you leave on your trip? take care Brigid. xo
Leaving tomorrow Rhonda and soo looking forward to it. I will post lots on my return. My grandmothers seem to have taken it in their stride. I think the older children had huge responsibility for the younger ones.. Happy weekend 😍
Bon Voyage Brigid!! So exciting! Hope your trip is full of beautiful places, luscious meals and great times with your sister… And hope we get to hear about it! xox
Yum, love strawberry flavor in almost any dessert (:
thanks Nick!!
Looks delicious!
Hi Cindy!! thanks!
Rhonda, this looks so yummy! My maternal grandpa’s name was Stu, a special guy. Happy Birthday to your father in law Stu! 💕
That’s sweet. Stu’s must be nice guys all around. Are yo home and all settled back in?? xox
Yes, we came back yesterday afternoon. It was a great vacation but also wonderful to get home. We are so blessed! I’ll post about our trip soon! I hope your week is going well!😎
I know what you mean about getting home– no matter how great a vacation has been, I love sinking into my own bed and there’s nothing more comforting than being home. Looking forward to your Florida pics Mary!!! xox
😉💕
Yummy Rhonda 🙂
We’ve got some strawberry cake lovers in the family (including me) that I know would love this cake!! Happy Birthday to your father in law Stu!!
Thanks Melody!! He was here tonight for his great grand daughters birthday dinner and his big bash is next weekend! So fun to hear from you… Hope you are enjoying some beautiful Spring time there– and finding time to relax with all you get done! hugs hugs!
Yummy 😊
Hi Rhonda – I love how pink the cake part is. I don’t think I have ever made strawberry cake that was not from a box (I know, sad) so I will have to give this a try at some point. Happy baking with all your b-days! -Kat
Hi there Kat– the first time I made this cake, I just used a white cake mix– and it was a little bit less “exciting”!! simpler and I think better. Skipping cake mixes should actually be your badge of honor– since you make things the real way from scratch!! Happy weekend Kat! What are you up to?? xox
Beautiful, love strawberries!
me too. And they are so sweet right now. hugs Marcia!