recipe of the week

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

i originally got the idea from the pioneer woman but changed it up a little!

ingredients

CAKE:

2 sticks of unsalted butter (i used margarine)

3 cups of granulated sugar (i used splenda)

6 eggs (yes, 6!)

1 cup of natural applesauce (she uses sour cream but i hate that junk plus this is way better for you!)

1.5 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

ICING/FILLING

i used this exact recipe for the icing (sorry, didn't even try to make this a bit healthier!)

2 cartons fresh strawberries (you might 1 need more if you want to garnish the top of the cake)

2 sticks unsalted butter

3 to 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

up to 4 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream (i used milk and it turned out great!)

directions

CAKE:

beat softened butter and sugar on high until light and fluffy

add eggs two at a time, mixing thoroughly

add the applesauce and vanilla

sift the flour and baking soda and add slowly to the mixture

mix on low until all the of the flour mixture is added

be sure to mix thoroughly but DO NOT over mix!

spray your pan (i used three 9 inch round pans) with PAM or use butter and flour so your cake will not stick

put in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes

ICING/FILLING:

slice strawberries and put in bowl with sugar (i used splenda) for at least 30 minutes (i left mine over night)

beat butter for a few minutes on medium

add 3 cups of the confectioners sugar and beat on low until sugar is incorporated with the butter

increase speed to medium and add vanilla, salt and 2 tablespoons of milk and beat for 3 minutes

if your icing needs to be stiffened add remaining sugar, if it needs to be thinned add remaining milk (i did not need to add anything)

once your cakes have cooled you can put the icing and strawberries between each layer and then ice the cake with the remaining icing. i also topped my cake with some extra slices of strawberry.

FYI: if you choose to do this the night before be aware that your strawberries will be very syrupy and therefore your cake will be runny. it made the cake very delicious but also very messy! but, i don't think my family minded the mess ;)