Vanilla Lover’s Cake with Strawberries
There’s nothing plain about this vanilla cake! When it’s done the right way, vanilla is warm, exotic and flavorful, not just “white.” This luscious cake is great on its own or accompanied by shortcake-style fresh strawberries. If you want the cake pure white, use clear imitation vanilla (professionals do this
Servings Prep Time
16 45 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Servings Prep Time
16 45 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Ingredients

  • 1box

    Duncan Hines Premium French Vanilla cake mix

  • 3

    Eggs

  • 2/3cup

    Vegetable Oil

  • 1cup

    Water

  • 2teaspoons

    High-quality Vanilla Extract

  • 1cup

    Water

  • 2/3cup

    Light Brown Sugar

  • 1tablespoon

    High-quality Vanilla Extract

  • 3tablespoons

    Light Rum

  • 5cups

    Powdered Sugar

  • ½cup

    Softened Butter

  • 18-ounce package

    Cream Cheese, softened

  • 1tablespoon

    High-quality Vanilla Extract

  • 4-5tablespoons

    Light Cream or Milk

  • 1quart

    Fresh Strawberries

  • ¼cup

    Sugar
Instructions
  1. Hull and slice strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar and set aside.
  2. Heat oven to 350.
  3. Blend cake mix, oil, water, eggs and vanilla on low speed for 2 minutes to combine well. Increase mixer speed to high and blend for 5 minutes.
  4. Butter two 8-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Divide batter between the pans and bake according to package directions.
  5. While the cakes bake, simmer water, brown sugar, rum and vanilla for 10 minutes over medium heat to make the cake soak. Let cool.
  6. Take the cakes out of the oven and let cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pans to cool on a wire rack. Cool completely.
  7. While cakes cool, make your frosting. Blend butter and cream cheese together on high speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Work in powdered sugar, one cup at a time on low speed, alternating with a tablespoon of cream or milk.
  8. Place one layer on a cake plate. Level if necessary. Poke small holes all over with a toothpick and brush generously with the brown sugar syrup. Cover with about 1 cup frosting. Place the second layer on top, repeat the toothpick and syrup step. Frost the top and sides of the cake, adding decorative borders if you like.
  9. Chill cake until 20 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh berries on the side to spoon over each slice.
Recipe Notes

Also delicious with blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or a mix of your favorites!