Praise the heavens! I got a new cookbook! I think I was in a cookbook rut. I found myself relying on the same two cookbooks day after day for my baking indulgence. Granted, they’re great cookbooks- charming, attractive and funny- but I had heard all their stories, seen all of their dress shirts, and laughed at all their jokes. I needed something new.
Just when I was about to accept my circumstance, a charming new love came into my life. Sweets by Patty Pinner is my new darling. This book is more than just a collection of recipes. Sweets is a gathering of family memories. In my life food is all about family and memories, so this book has quickly become so so dear to my heart.
Sweets is a southern style cookbook. The recipes are extremely approachable. Some of the cakes are made with (gasp!) cake mix, and then fancied up with additional ingredients. The family pictures are utterly charming and the stories that go along with each recipe are really touching. I read this book, cover to cover on an airplane, like a novel. I just love it!
Let me tell you about this strawberry cake. First things first- it’s sweet and moist and covered in cream cheese frosting and pink tinted coconut. The best part? It’s pink on the inside. Pink! Come on! Who doesn’t like pink cake? This is the kind of dessert that needs to be presented on your prettiest cake platter, under the spot light in your china cabinet. It’s a show cake. But it’s also really delicious. And… with the fabulous presentation of the cake, and the inevitable oooohs and aaaaahs you’ll get from guests, you’ll NEVER have to tell anyone just how easy it was to make. It’ll be our little secret.
Southern Style Strawberry Cake
from: Sweets
1 (18.5 ounce) box white cake mix (without pudding)
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry jello
1 Tablespoon self rising flour
4 teaspoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup fresh strawberries, finely diced.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
To make the cake, combine to cake mix, Jello, flour and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well. Add the oil. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition Add the water and strawberries and mix well. Divide the batter evenly into three 8-inch round baking pans that have been oiled and floured. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean and the layers pull away from the sides of the pan.
Transfer the layers from the oven to wire racks. Let them cool, still in their pans, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, run a knife around the inside edge of each pan, then unmold each layer onto the racks to cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2 (1 pound) boxes powdered sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
pink food coloring
4 sliced strawberries
To make the frosting, in a bowl combine the cream cheese and butter. Beat until soft and pliable and no lumps remain. Add one box of the powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Beat until incorporated. Add the second box of sugar and mix until incorporated. If you would like a smoother consistency, and a slash of milk. If you would like a thicker consistency, and a bit more powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.
Put the coconut in a small bowl and sprinkle with two or three drops of pink die. Mix with hands to distribute the color and wash hands immediately. Once the cake is frosted, decorate the top of the cake with the shredded coconut and sliced strawberries. Enjoy! Happy Strawberry Summer!
Sarah McClung
Hi from down here Joy! Noted that you were planning to delete some older recipe posts and wanted to do some perusing. I actually made this cake once, for money, as part of a Neapolitan situation. You may be amused to know that I’m going to a dinner party on Thursday – as in September 23, 2021 – and I’m using the “frosting” mixes from you Neapolitan kit! I use the ” ” bc are we just making flavored whipped cream there, tell the truth. I feel like you will identify with this but of course I went in there and repurposed the cake mix for something else and am getting creative w the frosting for Thursdays cake – swapping the strawberry out for a pumpkin spice situation bc tis the season. Have loved your blog for so long, it’s fun looking at these older ones. I once made the peanut butter bacon cookies for a dude! His name was Luke, we were a thing, briefly. Okay this is getting long. Peace, love, and blessings!
Sherrye
Let me just say that this is the very best strawberry cake in the whole entire world. Strawberry cake is my hands down favorite cake and I order it every time I’ve seen it offered, but nothing compares to this moist perfection of a cake. My husband and daughter bake this for my birthday every year. Anyway, here it is 8 years later and my recipe was worn out. I got the JTB app to find it again…. and other delectable recipes!
Oscar
I found this recipe the other day and immediately ordered the book! I love how the little stories attached to each recipe make you want to try everything, right then! I have only made the peanut butter cookies from the book so far and they were gobbled up by more work buddies.
Elaine
Hi from the U.K. this cake sounds lovely but is the JELLO a powder that is mixed into the dry ingredients or is it like the stuff we get here that need melting in boiling water,then let cool before adding? sorry to sound dumb but not being in the U.S.A. and unused to your recipes it is difficult to know quite what is what .Thanks for some super recipes though .
Paola Parsons
Hi Elaine! You’re not dumb at all. That same JELLO is the stuff I’m talking about. It adds really great flavor to cakes!
Edwin McGee
What do you think about doing these as cupcakes? Might have to do them for my wife to take to work!
Elena
I’ve made the cake and it’s delicious. How do I make this into a cupcake recipe??
Vicky
Hi Joy!
Even with the 104 temp outside I had to try and make this wonderful cake for a 4th of July celebration. Cake is out of the oven and cooling(along with the kitchen now that the oven is off). My son and daughter tinted the coconut red and blue for the 4th. Thank you for a wonderful blog and sharing with the rest of us. My house smells GREAT!
Thanks again!
The Blissful Baker
This looks amazing! I was just wondering if I could leave out the fresh diced strawberries? Thanks!
joythebaker
you can if you’d like. yes.