Family Foodies

Are you tempted to purchase bakery cakes?

Preparing cakes yourself for holiday dinners does not require hidden talent. The right toppings and fillings will make it special.

Chocolate cake with fresh strawberries – two layer.

1 boxed mix chocolate cake prepared
1 container prepared white icing for two layer cake
1 pint (or more) whole fresh strawberries (smaller ones)
Chocolate flavored topping or strawberry glaze
Whipped cream

This works best right before serving and is very quick. Frost your first layer and arrange plain sliced strawberries in a single layer (do not add sugar). Add second layer and frost. Cut remaining strawberries in half and press into icing. Serve cake portions with a drizzle of strawberry glaze or chocolate topping. Finish with swirled whipped cream.

Spice Cake with canned apple pie topping – one layer (Approximately 9” x 13 or 14”).

One boxed mix spice cake prepared
One container prepared white icing
One small can apple pie filling
One jar maraschino cherries w/stems well drained or blotted dry

Transfer cooled cake to flat sheet cookie pan. Create 10 servings by piping frosting to form raised edges on each serving to contain apple filling. Remove excess syrup from apple filling, reserve for other use. Dice apples in remaining syrup and stir well. Spread apple mixture to cover exposed cake on each serving inside the ridges. Add a cherry to top each servicing. Pre-slice the cake between icing ridges.

Cake is very versatile and lends itself well to baking ahead of time. Just bake, freeze, wrap in plastic, and return to the freezer stored on a metal baking sheet to prevent breakage. Remove plastic wrap and thaw before frosting or filling.