🍓🍋 Strawberry Lemonade Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box of white cake mix
- 1 (3 oz) box of strawberry gelatin
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh is best!)
- 1 cup diced strawberries (fresh or frozen)
For the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and strawberry gelatin. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, water, and lemon juice. Mix everything together until smooth. Gently fold in the diced strawberries, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Frosting
While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once the sugar is fully incorporated, add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Carefully place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining lemon cream cheese frosting.
Step 4: Enjoy!
For an extra touch, garnish the cake with some fresh strawberries or a sprinkle of lemon zest. Slice and enjoy a deliciously tangy and sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Tips:
- If you prefer a more intense strawberry flavor, you can add a bit of strawberry puree to the frosting.
- For a fun twist, try adding a handful of chopped strawberries between the layers of frosting.
- This cake pairs perfectly with a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade!