My Moms birthday was this past week, and naturally, I made the cake for our big family birthday gathering. (and I bought and made dinner and cleaned everything up, although the mister did do all the dinner dishes) Word to my sisters… You guys suck! (but I still love you)
Every year my mom asks for the same cake. Strawberry with Lemon frosting. Then a few years ago, other people in the family started asking for the same one. Now there is a weird strawberry cake thing going on between some of my family members. They have taken claim of the strawberry cake and don't want me to make it for anyone else but them. They think that because I make them this awesome cake that they are somehow special. Well guess what people.. Your only special for one day, then you go back to being normal.
I have a family full of a bunch of weirdoes.
Anyways, My mom said she wanted the usual strawberry cake, but as cup cakes, or actually she asked me to make the little square cakes. I was kind of confused when she said square cakes because well, what the hell was she talking about? But then I remembered that a long time ago I use to have a square cupcake pan. (I lost in somehow) So no, I couldn't make the cakes square, but I sure could make them cute. And cute as hell is what I did.
Cake Stuff. Flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt whisked together in a bowl. Butter, a little oil, vanilla, eggs and buttermilk. Then of course we have strawberries cause it wouldn't be a strawberry cake with out them.
First things first. Wash, trim and dice up the strawberries. Stick them into a pot and sprinkle with a few tablespoons of sugar. Heat on low and let the strawberries cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they turn into a thick syrup. 
The sugar and the butter get beaten together until light and fluffy. Then goes in the oil, eggs, and vanilla. The milk is then added to the strawberry mixture. Add half the dry mixture to the wet, mix, then mix in half the strawberry mixture to that. Mix the rest of the dry in and finish off with the strawberry mixture.
Pour batter into well greased and parchment lined baking sheet (or pans). Stick cake into preheated oven for about 35 minutes, rotating cakes after 15 minutes. Cake is done when it starts turning a light gold brown and a cake tester stuck in the middle comes out clean. 
Cake gets pulled from the oven and set on a rack to cool.
I actually wrapped the cake when it was cool enough and stuck outside for a few hours. It didn't completely freeze, but it was close. Frozen cake is easier to cut then soft non frozen cake. No necessary, but if you have the time….
While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. Powdered Sugar, a stick of butter, cream cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla get mixed together until it turns into a big bowl of thick lemony frosting. 
Tomato can cutout. (I couldn't find my biscuit cutters) A biscuit or cookie cutter would probably work a little better.. The cakes kept getting stuck in the can. 
Frost the cake!! Place frosting into a piping bag or a big plastic zip lock with the tip cut off. 2 rounds to a cake. A squeeze of frosting goes on one, topped with another and given a little smoosh. A nice big dollop of frosting on top then…. Sprinkles!!!! Or sliced strawberries (my mom doesn't like sprinkles..I know)
So freaking cute. I don't know if I can make a normal cake again.
Mom gets the bigger 3 tiered cake.. and a few more of the little ones.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
-C
Strawberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
makes 16 two tiers cupcakes or can be made in three 8 inch cake pans
The Cake
- 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 Cup or one Stick Soften Butter
- 1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 Cup milk
- 1 Cup Sugar plus 2 Tablespoons
- 1 lb Fresh Strawberries (Can use Frozen, just let them thaw )
The Frosting
- 4 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Stick Soften Butter
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (Half a block)
- Zest of a Lemon
- 1-2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 375
Grease a parchment lined 13x18 high rimmed baking sheet and dust with flour. If you baking sheet isn't as big as mine, use whatever size you have and make a few cupcakes on the side. Or make one , 3 tiered cake with 8 inch cake pans. I trust that you can find a way to bake all this cake batter.
Wash, trim and dice strawberries. Toss them in a medium sauce pan and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place on low heat and cook for about 10 minutes until strawberries break down and turn into a thick syrup. Take of heat and let cool.
Combine flour, salt, baking powder and soda in a bowl and whisk together, In another large bowl, add butter and sugar together and beat on medium until light and fluffy. Add in oil, vanilla and eggs. Beat together. Now add the milk to the strawberries and mix together. Beat in half the dry into the wet, add in half the strawberry mixture, then the rest of the dry, and finish off with the rest of the strawberry mixture.
Pour batter into prepare baking sheet (or pans) and place in oven. Check cake after about 15 minutes and rotate to help insure an even bake. Bake for another 15- 20 minutes, or until cake starts to turn golden brown and a tester (toothpick) comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let completely cool. (Not necessary, but once cake is cooled , wrap with plastic wrap and stick cake into the freezer of a little while before cutting the circles.. its makes it a little easier)
While cake is cooling, make the frosting. Place all ingredients in a big bowl and beat together until a nice soft but sturdy frosting forms. If. you frosting seems to thick add in a splash of milk. To thin.. add a little more sugar.
When the cake is cooled, get to it. With you cookie or biscuit cuter dipped in powdered sugar, cut as many circles as you can.
Fun Time!! Frost the cakes. Place frosting into a pastry bag, or like me, a large zip lock bag with the tip cut off. Partner up all the cake rounds and go through and give one of each of the pairs a good dollop of frosting. Top with the remaining cake, give it a lithe smooshto make sure they stick, and squeeze a nice dollop of frosting on top. Finish off with sliced strawberries and lots of sprinkles.
Sing Happy Birthday and eat!
What a week. Was it summer where you are this week as well? I mean jeez, talk about one extreme to another. Oh well, at least the world has turned green, the winter stuff is completely out of sight and I found the box that contained all of my shorts and summery clothes (pants and long sleeves in 90 degrees is just gross)
And honestly, it's been great. In between work, chores and just plan old being busy, we have manage to get a few bike rides and long walks in. Plus all the veggie starts are doing great, the flowers are coming up everywhere and life just has a little bit more of a relaxed feeling. So what if my allergies are turning my face into big red puff or that the past few night have been so hot that the act of sitting has caused me to break a sweat. I'll take it.
My boys. I long socks and sneakers… these guys know cool. 
Took the super cutie cuties out for an ice cream cone.
Our first bike ride picnic down on the waterfront. I love bike ride picnics!
So many succulents. I didn't actually buy any because I need to stop being a plant whore.
I have made a batch of this stuff evey day this week. I can't stop eating it, it's like eating summer. So good
