Wheee! We’re back and boy did we have a blast in good old Abilene. I think my blues have been cured by some good old Kansas sunshine and fun times. We did so many things I don’t know if I can even blog about it because it would either be one long blog, or a million short ones, but I’ll see what I can do later on.
While we were there, we had a cookout with the whole family and I surprised my father-in-law, Al, with an early birthday cake since we were leaving the day before his actual birthday. Since I was making it in a kitchen that wasn’t my own, and it was hot, I wanted it to be super easy, and cool and refreshing. This one fit the bill since it’s made with convenience products and is refrigerated and served cold. Plus, there’s no butter in the frosting so maybe it’s even a little lighter than my usual decadent cakes. Perfect for summer. Except for that whole turning on the oven thing, but I baked it at night so that made the hot kitchen not quite as unbearable.
Jessie’s trying to do a sneak attack on the grill!
Everyone loved the cake, but I have to be honest and tell you it’s not even close to my favorite cake. The frosting is very tart, like lemonade, and I tend to like my cake super duper sweet. If I made it again, I’d use less of the lemonade mix. But I did like it, and judging by the reviews I got, it’s totally worth sharing. It does have a nice strawberry lemonade flavor going on. Like I said, it’s a great cake for summer because it’s served cold. The frosting doesn’t get hard when cold like all the butter-laden ones I usually make, so that is nice. And don’t forget my water bottle trick to make sure your cake is super moist! I taught it to my Mother-in-law while I was there, using her tap water, and she was so excited about it that she didn’t notice I was using her undrinkable tap water until I was done. So yeah, I tried to poison everyone with not quite crystal-clean well water, but we all survived. lol
(Oh no, I hope Janice isn’t reading this! She’s a reader in Abilene that I got to meet and I brought her a piece of this cake when I stopped by her office. It was so cool to meet her, except for the trying to poison her part. If you’re reading, Janice, I was just joking about the poisonous well water. *ahem* But you might want to get checked for fingernail cancer during your next doctor visit.)
OK, enough madness. Here’s the recipe.
Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake
Printable recipe
Printable recipe with picture
1 (18.25 oz) box strawberry cake mix (plus oil, water and eggs as directed on box)
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 (0.23 oz) packet of Kool-Aid lemonade
Yellow food coloring gel (as desired for color)
1 (7 oz) container marshmallow creme or fluff
1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Fresh strawberries to garnish
Make cake according to box instructions and bake in 2- 8 inch round cake pans as directed. Turn finished cakes out onto cake racks and allow to cool completely.
Once cake is cool, cream together cream cheese, lemonade and yellow food coloring until smooth. Mix in marshmallow creme and then mix in whipped topping until completely smooth. Level the cakes, and place one layer on a platter, cut side up. Spread about a third of the frosting over the top, then place the second cake layer cut side down on top. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Slice strawberries and place on the top and sides of the cake for decoration. Refrigerate until ready to serve and serve cold, straight from the fridge.
Recipe source: Easy Baked
Disclaimer: No humans or animals were harmed during the eating of this cake. I believe the reason they don’t drink their water is because it’s hard water, which isn’t really poisonous.
More photos from our evening…
My plate: burger, dilly cucumber salad, 7 layer dip, and jalapeno chips.
A closer look at the 7 layer dip. I did it a little different this time, putting the tomato layer on top and mixing some goodies into it (I made the tomato layer from this recipe). I also mixed in a packet of Fiesta Ranch dip mix into the sour cream instead of taco seasoning and it was even better than the original! I’ve been looking for that dip mix ever since my girl Jaci made a dip with us while we were visiting last year because it is just wonderful and miracle of miracles, I finally found it in Abilene:
I loaded up, so if you’ve never tried this and would like to, just let me know in a comment below, and I’ll draw among the interested parties for a winner of a packet. It’s so good mixed with sour cream!
Maybe you can tell he likes Coke?
Dennis and his nephew, Carson, played catch after dinner.
Look how studly my man is. He’s not much for sports but I think the sporty look is good on him. :)
When I met this boy, he was a toddler. And now he towers 6 inches over me. Kids are great at making adults feel old! lol
Love country sunsets! Such a pretty ending to the day.
Veronica's Cornucopia 
Looks delish, Veronica! You’re cakes are just so beautiful. On a rare occasion I can make one taste good but they aren’t so pretty. Definitely this summer I’m going to use your instructional cake making blogs and tackle that. There’s nothing like a beautiful layer cake and yours are perfection!! We’ve made a super sour cake once with koolaid in the frosting (for kids) so this recipes reminds me a little of that. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I am going to try this cake! My stepdaughter doesn’t like frosting at all, at least none she has tried, but maybe she will like this one! :) My husband loves strawberry cake!
Glad Abilene whisked away the funk! Great to hear!
You are right about kids being great at making us feel old! My oldest turned 13 in December. He towers over me, talks about driving soon, will be in high school in one year, and is into girls… I feel super duper OLD! And I am only 32! LOL
I would love to have a little vacation out in the country somewhere! :) Loving the sunset!
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That cake looks beautiful! You are a talented baker for sure. So glad your trip helped rid you of the blues. I think that some of us get Spring fever and have a little dip in our emotions as the season changes.
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So glad you had such a great time! If I need a cake this summer, that’s the one I am going to make! Hugs!
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looks beautiful! i bet it’s more amazing in person!
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If the frosting is a little tart, I’d probably like it! The cake is very pretty. Looks like y’all had fun…yay!! Food looks great and 7 layer dip, I love it. I will have to make some soon, it’s a wee be different than yours. Don’t you just love those different flavored ranches? I’m addicted to putting in on red potatoes with a little evoo, salt and pepper then baking it….oh my! And how does Dennis have coke in a bottle? I haven’t seen bottles for years!?!
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Suzie, I think this would be a frosting you’d love…or maybe you’d have to add a little more lemonade mix knowing you. lol! It definitely wasn’t too sweet. As for the coke, Dennis drinks it from bottles almost exclusively b/c the ones he gets are made with sugar (they might sell regular cokes in bottles, but he gets the ones made with sugar), and he prefers it to corn syrup. He just gets them at Dillons and Walmart–they sell them by the bottle.
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This sounds AMAZING!!! I am soooo making this for my significant other’s birthday this year (he is impossible to bake cakes for)!!
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Personally, a little tartness in a cake sounds über appealing to me!
And the pics of you guys together, and in the big yard . . . I long to leave the city, at least for a few weeks!
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Oh, this looks SO good! I wish that you gave it better reviews, I would be tempted to make it for a memorial day party this weekend. I’m still up in the air over what to make. This looks so pretty!
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Keep in mind I’m the only person that had any problems with the cake, and I did enjoy my piece but know I would have liked it more if the frosting was sweeter. Everyone raved, and is still raving over it. It would be great for Memorial day, so just add more sugar or less lemonade mix to your taste.
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Your cake looks fantastic! I’d like that tart frosting I think. It’s pretty at least :) Your 7 layer dip looks phenomenal… going to check that out next. Never seen those fiesta ranch packets yet…. so have to try those! Love that photo of Dennis. And don’t you hate when kids do that to us?!?! :)
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Your cake is stunning – what a fabulous flavour combo and presentation :)
I am do happy to hear your trip went well my friend and that your blues are cured :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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I am so glad you had a good time, welcome back ! The cake looks great and so does the evening with your family. I hope you feel rejuvenated!
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I don’t like a tart cake either but this looks beautiful! I love the color. I think I saw a box of strawberry cake mix at the store recently. It’s definitely a new addition down here. :)
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Welcome back! Looks like you had a great time with family! I bookmarked this cake a while back and am glad to see your review of it, along with the tip about the tartness of the frosting. P.S. your 7 layer dip is making me hungry. I have never seen Fiesta Ranch at the store, but I also wasn’t looking for it. Will check that out!
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These are on my must bake soon list.
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Congrats my friend, I have nominated you for the Food Stories Award for Excellence in Storytelling :D
Enjoy it right here: http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/picnic-time/
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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So pretty and summery, Veronica! Love it!
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I was shocked when you said you didn’t have fiesta ranch packets in Wichita! So glad you found em in Absville:D I think the fiesta thing is really popular down here in Texas! obviously Den’s hometown caught on! What a lovely cake! I am making strawberry cupcakes this weekend for Sunday feast!!! (ahem from scratch! pray for me..lol) The recipe can be found in this book http://marthafoose.com/screen_doors_and_sweet_tea Such an awesome book! You know how I am like you and read cookbooks like novels..this one has great lil intros in her recipes! you should definitely check it out!:) loves ya Vmonster….writing ya back soons
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I know, Wichita needs to get with the program. YOu are a nut-I know your cupcakes will be fabuloso! I will go check out that book–hopefully my library has it. I like to preview a cookbook before I decide to buy it. :)
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oh and girl you know I am about to feel old as dirt…Tof turns 12 a week from Saturday! aaaaaahhhhh! help meeeee! lol
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I know, these darn kids! We are too young to be old! lol
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I am in LOVE with how pretty in pink this cake is! And really..what’s a little poison among friends. :p
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This brought back memories of a cake I use to buy at a cake sale in my 1st grade class. I was planning on making this for the weekend but my daughter could not wait, so I made it last night. My store does not sell Strawberry Cake mix. I made a Jell-O Strawberry poke cake instead. I made the frosting with half pkg of kool aid. It was perfect for our taste. The cake was a hit but now I have no cake for the weekend.
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I’ve heard good things about that strawbbery poke cake, good idea subbing that! Glad you loved it but sorry you have none for the cake sale! Doh! lol
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glad you are back!
looks like you guys had a blast. and you look in super good shape, if I hear you complain again about your weight I am going to… uhm… what can I do from this distance? :) anywya, you look great, hope you also feel great. and your cakes look always amazing, you know it!
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