Strawberry-licious Cake & Recipe

This is one strawberry-licious cake. I made if for C's first day of school.We started this tradition last year thanks to the inspiration from Sharon at Mama's A Mess. Since her eldest started Kindergarten she has baked a cake and taken a picture on the first day of school. I know the family well and love seeing how big K gets every year (and what yummy treat Sharon makes). 

This is C last year with her cake...

..and this years cake.

You may wonder why this years cake says K2. Last year C only went to school for a few months before we had to moved, so she never finished Kindergarten.We thought about sending her straight to 1st grade this year. However after going back and forth (for many reasons)..chatting with the principal, ect.. we asked her what she wanted to do, and she told us. Kindergarten, she wanted to finish and since she just turned 6, she won't be the "old" kid in the class...lol So we are calling this year her K2 year :)

The cake I made is a strawberry cake with strawberry cream filling and buttercream frosting. For the bottom decor C had a great idea to use strawberry marshmallow hearts, perfect!

Strawberry-licious Cake Recipe...

1 box Strawberry Supreme Cake mix

1 can Vanilla Whipped Frosting

Strawberry Jam

Buttercream Frosting (found via Wilton):

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups shifted powered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

Bake rounds according to package, let cool on wire rack. For the filling I used a mixture of premade vanilla whipped frosting and my homemade strawberry jam. I used a ratio of 2/3 frosting to 1/3 jam, but do yours to taste. Mix together well and pipe or smear (like I did) the filling onto the bottom layer and top with the second layer. Put cake in fridge to set. While it sits, make your buttercream.

To make the buttercream frosting..

In a med to large bowl cream the shortening, butter and vanilla together with a mixer. Slowly add the shifted powered sugar a cup at a time and incorporate into the butter mixture. Once all the powdered sugar is mixed in, add the 2 tablespoons of milk and continue to mix until fluffy. Cover the bowl with a damp towel if not using right away to keep the frosting from drying out.

After your cake has set, frost with your homemade buttercream and add decorations. So easy and everyone will love it!