Looking for Good Cake Recipe

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/event-occasion/birthday/

They have a warm caramel apple cake that I am going to make for Thanksgiving this year1 I love their ideas!

I hope this helps you!

I have a wonderful cheesecake recipe. We actually made it for my wedding. You can put a layer of strawberries on it or nuts, but it is wonderful alone! Let me know if you would like the recipe.

It's for her - so do it simple the way she would like it. Try a yellow or white cake with chocolate frosting topped with nuts (pecans?) and/or strawberries with a possible strawberry filling in the cake.

Hi, M. -

Your cake for your sister-in-law this weekend may already be prepared.
If not, and you want a "quick fix" try the following:

Take any boxed cake mix and add three ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

It really does make a superior cake & tastes homemade.
Just top with a cake frosting from chef Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker.

If you would like a very special recipe "from scratch", the following is outstanding:

Princess Diana's Wedding Cake

1-1/4 cups oil
3 eggs, beaten with mixer
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups flour
1/1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
8 ounces crushed pineapple, with juice
1-1/2 cups chopped bananas
1 cup chopped apples
3/4 cup coconut
3/4 cup chopped nuts

Grease and flour the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.
Mix together the oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract. Sift the dry ingredients; add to mixture. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 48 minutes.

Princess Diana's Wedding Cake Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

Mix oil and vanilla extract into cream cheese. Add powdered sugar.
Mix well.

This is a 5-star recipe. Enjoy!
M. T.

P.S. You can't tell what ingredients are included in this cake when eating it,
so it's a winner for everyone!

M.,

I, too, am known for being a great cook who goes over the top on entertaining. I do this because I LOVE to please people - it is a joy to make people happy. If your sister-in-law is turning 35, it is likely that you are somewhere near her age. I am 20 years older than your SIL, so perhaps the observations I offer are borne of a little more time-on-the-job than you. So, I say this in total kindness (and with empathy) ... this birthday IS your sister-in-law's day. If your actions are to be the gift of love that you seem to desire, then the fact that YOU are bored with the same ol' things should not be a consideration for THIS occasion. Please please HER, and forget about what YOU want/need (in terms of recognition, praise, etc.) I promise you that, when you truly delight her, you will take pride in your contribution in the long run.

Below is an easy, delicious recipe for a Strawberry Cake. It is tried and true and is likely one you are familiar with, perhaps as a child. It used to be VERY popular - in fact, a gigantic favorite - when the recipe first came out some 30 years ago. For some reason, wonderful recipes like this seem to be cyclic at best, or fall out of favor entirely, perhaps because they are not "new." This might be a good choice so that you could both please your SIL and "renew" its popularity among your guests. This cake is GREAT when served COLD, with a tall glass of cold milk!

NOTE: Although the recipe below calls for a stacked layer cake, I generally make this in the type of sheet cake pan that comes with a plastic, covered lid. You can make several, depending on the number of guests. People in my family like a BIG square of this delicious cake (if using a sheet-cake rather than the stacked version, it could be precut and served on decorative plates with a candle only on your SIL's piece.) This cake travels well in a cooler for picnics and vacations!

Best wishes to your SIL and you for the upcoming celebration! You are very sweet to want to do something special.

Warmly,
K.

STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Cake:
1 pkg. plain white cake mix
1 pkg. strawberry gelatin
1 cup mashed, frozen strawberries with juice
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup whole milk
4 large eggs

Frosting:
1 pkg. (8-oz) cream cheese
1 stick of butter
3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
3/4 cup mashed frozen strawberries (drained)

Preheat oven to 350°F degrees.
Lightly grease three 9 inch round pans. Set pans aside.

Place cake mix, strawberry gelatin, mashed strawberries, oil, milk, and eggs in large mixing bowl and beat on low speed for 1 minute. Strawberries should be well-blended.

Divide batter among pans and place in oven.

Bake cakes until lightly brown (about 28-30 minutes). Remove from oven and allow to cool for 40 minutes.

Prepare frosting:
Combine cream cheese, and butter and mix on low speed for a minute. Add sugar and strawberries. Blend frosting on low until sugar is incorporated.

To assemble: place one cake layer on plate and spread top with frosting, add another cake layer and frost the top, add last cake layer and frost the top. Use remaining frosting for the sides of the cake.

Optional: Place fresh strawberries on top of frosting for decoration

Check out this website... Has probably more than 100 cake, cookie, pie, etc. recipes on it! ENJOY!!!
http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/

There is a book called The Cake Doctor that you might enjoy. It offers plenty of advice.

I know she doesn't like chocolate cake, but would she eat white chocolate cake? This is our very favorite. I have included the link to my recipe blog. One thing to keep in mind: when you do the frosting, you have to cool the white chocolate mixture completely where it says to do so or it will not whip up. It is SOOO yummy. The cake in the picture is from my nephew's baptism last May.

http://amysrecipeoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/05/white-choc...

Try this website: www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook. There are a lot of cake recipes.

It's Friday afternoon, I'm at work, and I'm going to be straight with you here: It is her birthday, so give her what she wants, anything-but-chocolate cake with fresh chocolate frosting, chopped nuts and fresh strawberries.....If that bores you, then don't do it. Buy a cake she'll like. It's not about you....You will be unstuck when you let go of your own wants for this special event & give your sister what she wants. If my sister were still alive, I'd give her the freakin' MOON on her birthday, if I could. Life is short.

I am picky when it comes to sweets b/c I really do not like them all that much. My mother-in-law made this and it was so good and moist. If you do not like this, another good one is order the chocolate creme pie from Goode Co. Barbque.

Sunshine Cake or Cupcakes:
1 (18.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (11-ounce) can Mandarin oranges with juice
1 (5.25-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
Cream Cheese Frosting
Pecans or some other nut

Put everything but the nuts and frosting in the bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until the batter is smooth.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. For a birthday, I would make this a layered cake.

Once cool, ice each layer with cream cheese frosting. Top with nuts.

Hummingbird Cake

3 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 3 eggs beaten, 1-1/2 cups vegetable/canola oil, 1-1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple (undrained), 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, 2 cups chopped bananas.

Combine dry ingredients, add eggs, oil, stirring until moistened. Do not beat - stir in vanilla, pineapple & 1 cup nuts and bananas. Spoon batter into 3 well greased & floured 9 inch pans, bake 350 for 25 -30 min. Cool in pans for 10 minutes - then cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

2 (8 oz) softened cream cheese, 1 cup butter, 24 oz powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla. 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Combine cream cheese & butter - cream until smooth, add sugar, beat til fluffy & add vanilla.

Frost all layers & top - sprinkle the nuts over the top.

M.

I have a couple of suggestions

Strawberry Shortcake
angel food cake
strawberries
kool-whip

Cut up strawberries and mix them in with the kool-whip
Take the angel food cake and cut it in half - carve out some of the inside of the cake (top and bottom) and fill the bottom with about half of the strawberry mixture (or until full). Put the top of the cake back on and use the rest of the strawberry mixture as a "frosting" on the outside of the cake.

Lemon cake
Lemon cake mix
powdered sugar
Lemon juice

Bake the lemon cake as directed on the box.
Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice to use as frosting. Pour or drizzle "frosting" over the top of the cake. You can poke holes in the top of the cake so that the "frosting" gets inside the cake as well.

How about a Strawberry ice cream cake with chocolate icing

I have a delicious Kahlua Cake recipe if you want it. It's made in a bundt pan. Laura

how about a yellow cake with chocolate frosting? My Grandmother loved it! When I have time, and feel like getting creative... I make a two yellow cakes ..I put strawberry preserves (or cherry) on one and top it with the other cake and then frost it all the way around with chocolate frosting and top in a pretty decoration with strawberries...just an idea! (:

I have seen a rice crispy cake done and it looks good. I am a dieter so I understand her picky ness. Would she like something totally different than actual cake. Dirt cake, bannana pudding, icecream cake. Something out of the ordinary? You dont have to have an actual cake it can be cup cakes cheese cake, pecan pie, any type of pie. I also search flikr.com alot for ideas on decorating cakes and cupcakes. I bet they have a lot of fun ideas out there. Good luck.

why not go to Cake Central, there you will find all types of recipes plus cakes. good luck

I think I'd buy a cake and put an end to the competition and pickiness. I'd bake for those who will love me for it and not judge. Try Russell's Bakery on 3339 Hancock Drive, yummy, impressive, but pricey (just make it your Birthday present for her too :)
I checked others' responses and liked the cheese cake idea. If you're interested in this I have a great NY cheese cake recipe that is awesome with strawberries. Just let me know and I can send it to you (it tastes best if made a day or two ahead)So easy and sooo good!
Good luck!

OK i get great reviews from my cakes and this one would be easy. Get the Betty Crocker French Vanilla cake mix and make it according to directions for an oblong cake, except bake at 300 degrees and add about 10 min to the baking time. Depending on the oven make take just a little longer. Make your own homemade chocolate frosing with these differences, instead of vanilla use almond extract and instead of milk or water use cold strong coffee. Frost the cake on the sides and only about 2 inches around the the edges on top. If you have a cake decorating bag make a border/dam on the inner edge where you frosted or just make the icing kinda thick to make a dam. In the inside spoon in cherry pie filling. the "dam" is to keep the cherries from running down the side of your cake. Since you said she likes strawberries you could use strawberry pie filling. Hope this gives you an idea of something different. It is really easy to do and looks like you spent hours on it.

I have a wonderful strawberry cake recipe if you're interested, let me know @ ____@____.com.

Look up the recipe for a Hummingbird Cake (there are several websites that have it). Some of them make the cake using a store-bought cake mix, some make from scratch. This cake has bananas, pineapple, cinnamon and nuts in it, with a cream cheese frosting, and it is so moist! It's delicious!

Have you considered doing a cheesecake? I made one for my husband's birthday that had a brownie for a crust, cheesecake layer, then I topped it with pecans, a little melted Baker's chocolate, and fresh strawberries. It was decadent, and I was able to make it beautiful with the toppings.

I also personally love Italian Cream Cake and Carrot Cake (both with cream cheese frosting and walnuts). I make these often for family gatherings, as they are requested often. I make pretty much everything (incl. all of my frostings) from scratch (except the brownie in the above mentioned cheesecake - I did use a box for that!). If you would like any of my recipes, send me a message and i'll email them to you. I like doing a lot of cheesecakes, including a carrot cake cheesecake, where the base of the cheesecake is carrot cake instead of graham cracker crust, and carrot cake and cheesecake are marbled throughout.

I love to make decadent desserts that don't always resemble a "birthday" cake, but I reserve the standard decorated cakes for the kids. For adults, we just have big, beautiful, decadent desserts made from scratch!

However given your parameters, perhaps you would consider making a cheese cake, with nuts mixed in or rolled on the cake's side (or you could add crushed nuts to the crust), and serve with strawberry sauce? You can add a hazelnut, carmel or amoretto flavor... I'll see if I can find a recipe...

A Harvest cake is good..its a bundt cake. Has nuts, apples, brown sugar...lots of good stuff in it. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the recipe. My daughter baked one last year for the fair and it was not only attractive, but tasted great. It does take almost 2 hours of baking time, but is well worth it!

~K

www.foodnetwork.com is a great site for all kinds of recipes. Paula Deen makes some great cakes, as does Barefoot Contessa, and Sandra Lee. I can always find something new, different, fun, and great for picky eaters on this site. Good luck and happy birthday to your sister!

I'm a cook and always hosting get togethers. My favorite cooking website is www.allreceipes.com. There you will find some fabulous ideas. You can read other baker's reviews and suggestions. You can do an ingredient search. I always get great feedback on food I prepare from ideas or actual recipes I get on this site. I know you'll come up with something very pleasing. I can tell by your words that you have the gift! :-) Happy Baking!

Since my girls are on a gluten free diet, we are restricted to wheat free recipes. Well, I discovered that adding sour cream made those cakes WONDERFUL. Couldn't even tell that they were made with rice. If you haven't tried something like that (sour cream, not rice flour) you should! I like making the sour cream cake and cubing it (it's pretty dense, like a pound cake) and then add strawberries, whip cream, and strawberry sauce...strawberry shortcake! If she was a fan of the show, you could even put it in a big beautiful clear torte bowl and add on top a little strawberry shortcake figure (try Dollar Tree.) Beautiful, delicious, and nostalgic!

try the Betty Crocker website or Kraft foods online =)

Here is a recipe that was passed on to me for a different kind of cake. It is very delicious!

1 box white cake mix
1 small box Jello Strawberry mix
4 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1 c. Strawberry Hill wine
Beat about 2 minutes on low with mixer and pour into a bundt pan that has been sprayed well.

Glaze:
1/2 c. Strawberry Hill wine
1/2 c. butter
1 c. powdered sugar
Melt butter in saucepan with wine, mix in powdered sugar. Poke holes all over in cake just out of oven and pour half of the glaze over top letting it seep into holes. Let set for 5 minutes, and pour remainder glaze on cake. Let cool completely and remove from pan.

You can adjust this recipe for any flavor, does not have to be strawberry. Just change the flavor of Jello and wine. You can also use the same flavor in the cake mix for a stronger flavor.

Even if this is not the one you use, good luck!

I am always using the food network website for recipes. Anything by Alton Brown or Paula Deen is always delicious. You can go to the site and look based on the show or by key words (like strawberry cake, etc). Also, the recipes are rated by users so you know what is good without trying it first.