Delicate Strawberry Layer Cake

Ingredients

• 1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix (such as Pillsbury® Moist Supreme Classic White Cake Mix)
• 1 cup water
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O®)
• 4 teaspoons strawberry extract, divided
• 2 cups fresh strawberries
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup confectioners' sugar, or more to taste
• Frosting:
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract

Step 1

Gently heat your oven to 350°F and lining three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, water, eggs, and oil using an electric mixer on medium speed for about two minutes until everything’s well combined. Pour a third of the batter into one pan and set it aside. To the remaining batter, stir in half of the strawberry gelatin and 2 teaspoons of strawberry extract, then divide this pink batter between the other two pans.

Step 2

Bake the cakes for 15 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, carefully flip them out onto a wire rack lined with parchment paper to cool completely. While the cakes cool, set aside 9 to 12 whole strawberries for decorating, and chop the rest. Give the chopped berries a little pat with a paper towel to soak up any extra juice.

Step 3

For the filling, beat the cream cheese with the remaining strawberry gelatin until smooth. Add the last 2 teaspoons of strawberry extract and some powdered sugar, then mix until creamy. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries.

Step 4

To assemble, start with one of the pink layers on your cake plate and spread half the strawberry filling over it. Add the plain cake layer next, top it with the remaining filling, and finish with the second pink layer. Whip together heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until thick enough to spread, then cover the entire cake with this frosting. For a smooth finish, place a piece of parchment paper on top and run a spatula over it, then peel the paper off.

Step 5

Finally, pipe swirls of frosting around the edge of the cake and top each with a whole strawberry for a pretty finishing touch. Enjoy!