Holy Cake Heaven!

Warning: if you are hungry or hate delicious cake, stop reading ASAP.
This cake recipe will completely blow your mind... and your diet. Which is my soul motivator for my lunch date with the eliptical machine today.

So my little broski, Kelly, has been in town since Sunday and I've enjoyed every ounce of time spent with him.

Well, last night was our usual Monday "family dinner". Like every Monday evening, BF, a handful of our best friends, and I meet at BF's house for an amazing dinner. Each week one person makes the main dish and everyone else brings a side.


{ Kelly and I in Hawaii on our family trip }

{ Sibling surfing lessons! }

By far one of the highlights of my week. Well last night BF made his famous AMAZING turkey chili, so Kell and I decided to take on a dessert. After our sibling brainstorm sesh, we went to one of my favorite go to experts... Pioneer Woman!

Now, if you haven't visited her amazing site, you are missing out. I have tried so many of her recipes and not one has been less than incredible. Not to mention her step by step food photos are amazing and oh-so-helpful!

Anyway, we tried her decadent Strawberry Shortcake Cake last night and it was complete and utter sprintime heaven. Dense layers of strawberry infused moisture-rich shortcake, topped with creamy creamcheese frosting pallooza.

Have a special birthday or holiday coming up? Bake this sucker and wait to here to Mmmmm's and Oh la la's! So. stinking. good.

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Strawberry Shortcake Cake
{ Pioneer Woman }


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Ingredients

Cake
1 & 1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 whole Large Eggs
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla


Icing

1/2 pound cream Cheese, room temperature
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 & 1/2 pound powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound strawberries

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Preparation Instructions


IMPORTANT: Be sure to use a cake pan that’s at least 2 inches deep! Before baking, the batter should not fill the pan more than halfway.

Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and corn starch.
Cream 9 tablespoons butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well each time. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until combined. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just barely combined.

Pour into greased and floured 8-inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes, or until no longer jiggly like my bottom. Remove from cake pan as soon as you pull it out of the oven, and place on a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.

Stem strawberries and slice them in half from bottom to top. Place into a bowl and sprinkle with 3 tablespoons sugar. Stir together and let sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, mash the strawberries in two batches. Sprinkle each half with 1 tablespoons sugar and allow to sit for another 30 minutes.

Make icing: combine cream cheese, 2 sticks butter, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and dash of salt in a mixing bowl. Mix until very light and fluffy.

Slice cake in half through the middle. Spread strawberries evenly over each half (cut side up), pouring on all the juices. Place cake halves into the freezer for five minutes, just to make icing easier.

Remove from freezer. Use a little less than 1/3 of the icing to spread over the top of the strawberries on the bottom layer. Place the second layer on top. Add half of the remaining icing to the top spreading evenly, then spread the remaining 1/3 cup around the sides.


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Leave plain OR garnish with strawberry halves.

IMPORTANT: Cake is best when served slightly cool. The butter content in the icing will cause it to soften at room temperature. For best results, store in the fridge!

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Looks amazing right?!
Well it is. I know the recipe looks long, but I promise it is super easy, especially with the step by step picture how-to's!

This is the perfect springtime cake, and I highly recommend it. I wish I could have shown you the looks on our friends' faces last night... that alone would sell itself.

Kelly and I had a blast being creative together - he's such a fun brother! :) I'm planning to file this recipe away to break out on Easter!


{ Who else LOVES Pioneer Woman? What's your fave recipe? }


Bon Appetit!





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Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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