As most of  you know, I’m remodeling my new kitchen.  Since my other house hasn’t sold, I left a LOT of my stuff in the old house so I don’t have to move it twice.  When I needed to make a cake for a dear friends’ birthday, I lamented the fact that my cake decorating supplies were still in my turquoise kitchen.  So, I improvised and as it turns out, I think this is the best cake I have ever made.  I know I know, you’re feeling like I’ve ditched mocha cake for the tantalizing seduction of fresh strawberries.  Emme thinks it’s just because I’m on this high protein diet that I think it’s so good.  What does she know?  She’s only 9 and likes Justin Biebers’ music.
Never mind the fact that I can be a little dramatic. Â This is without a doubt the best strawberry cake recipe I’ve ever made. Â Period.
Here’s what I did. Â Â I baked a white boxed cake in two 9 inch pans. Â I baked those per box directions. Â Then I mixed 3 sticks of butter with one stick of Land O’Lakes margarine. Â Do not, under any circumstances, substitute just any ole margarine. Â You must use Land O’ Lakes and if you don’t, I can’t be held responsible if you don’t think this is the best cake you’ve ever eaten. Â Â Next, add 2 pounds plus 2 cups of powdered sugar and 2 T. of milk. Â Add the sugar slowly and mix as you go. Â Alternate the milk so that you don’t end up with powdered sugar all over your face. Â Then—and here’s the key to the perfection—-add 1/2 cup of homeade strawberry freezer jam. Â If you don’t have HSFJ then you must make some. Â Â Strawberries should still be fresh and easy to get and just follow the directions on the sure-jell box to make the jam. Â Besides being the best jam you’ve ever eaten and the best cake you’ve ever eaten, your sister will offer to keep your kids for the weekend just for a jar of the stuff. Â I promise.
Now, add the jam to your icing along with a pinch of salt. Â Take a deep breath and then taste it. Â Â Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Â Just relax. Â You’re not dreaming. Â It really tastes that good. Â Â Now, spread this fluffy dream of heavenly perfection onto your cake, add a layer of fresh strawberries between the layers, Â and then have your cute little 9 year old make strawberry flowers for you. Â If you’re feeling particularly nostalgic about your 4th grade memories, you can pipe LYLAS onto the cake using a ziploc bag.

And that, my friends, is how I made the best tasting cake in the whole entire world without my cake decorating supplies.
p.s.  I went to all this trouble to write this post for you stat because I want you to have time to make it for Memorial day—and I really do  LYLAS!
(love ya like a sister)
pss. Â I’ve lost almost ten pounds on the Ideal Protein Diet. Â I’m taking the weekend off for Memorial Day and have every intention of making this cake to eat all by myself for my family. Â I ate a small sliver of it today and almost hyperventilated. Â It will not disappoint.
psss. Â I know, 2 posts in one day. Â Don’t faint but that’s how urgent it is that you make this cake.

