Strawberry Tall Cake



I found this recipe on Paula Deen's website a while back and finally made not 1 but 3 this week!  This cake is delicious and has a light taste to it, basically it's Strawberry Short Cake.  I don't usually use a cake mix but this recipe calls for a white cake mix.  The first 2 times I made it I used Duncan Hines and the last time I used  Pillsbury,  I will have to say the Pillsbury rised higher!  I thought when I saw Paula's cake that maybe she used 2 cake mixes even though her recipe calls for one.  Then after using the Pillsbury maybe she did just use one mix!

You cut the strawberries in half then add 1/3 cup of sugar then let them sit while you make the cake or I actually one of the times made the cake the night before then assembled it the next day..  So I just let the strawberries sit for about 30 minutes. 

The whipping cream has cream cheese in it!  I was hesitant and thought if I don't like it I will  just make regular whipping cream the next time but you know what I liked it!  I did however just use 1/2 of a bar instead of the whole thing because Paula says to use 4 cups of heavy cream and and 1 cream cheese bar.  I thought that would be too much cream so I used 2 cups and 1/2 of a bar of cream cheese.  Two cups was plenty of heavy cream because once you whip it, it makes 4 cups! 

This cakes looks really beautiful and is actually pretty easy to make!  It's very good the next day too!  Just store it in the fridge!

You can make the cake in stages too!  Make the cake the day before and even the cream then just assemble it when you want to. 

For July 4th you could fill the middle with blueberries to have a red, white and blue cake!



I didn't get a picture of making the cake!  Just make according to the cake mix directions then pour into 3 greased and floured round pans.





I used about 3 lbs of strawberries... cut the stems off then cut them in half


Sprinkle 1/3 cup of sugar and toss them around then place in fridge until you need them


In a mixing bowl cram cheese (I used 1/2 of a bar) and sugar together


Then pour in whipping cream (I used 2 cups) slowly, once fully combined increase speed to medium high.  I used a flat beater but normally I would have used a whisk attachment.  It though worked just as well!


Beat until it makes peaks like this then place in fridge until you are ready to use (can make the day before if you would like)


I made the cake the night before (this one is duncan hines)


Start placing Strawberries to the edge of the cake layer



Then top with whipping cream mixture having it come to the edge of the strawberries


Repeat 2nd layer with the strawberries

then cream again


for the top line the strawberries like you did on the 1st and 2nd layer then add chopped up strawberries to the middle.. or you can do what I did below and add cream to the middle...  I think I like this one more.


Here is the one I did with the cream in the middle....you can do whichever you like!
You can also see the cake layers are a little bit taller too with the Pillsbury cake mix.



Ingredients:
1 box of white cake mix, baked in three 8” cake pans
3 quarts strawberries, stems removed and cut in half (I ended up using 3lbs)
1/3 cup sugar
Whipped Cream:
16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (I used 1/2 a bar)
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups heavy cream (I used 2 cups)

Directions

Place cut strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar. Stir together and place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble cake.
Mix cake mix as directed and pour into three 8” prepared cake pans. Bake just until set and slightly golden (approximately 15-20 minutes).
When cake has cooled, place cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and add heavy cream in slow stream. When almost fully combined, increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture holds stiff peaks.
To assemble cake: Place one cake layer in a large bowl or on a pedestal. Line the outer edges with a decorative row of strawberry halves. Fill the middle with some of the strawberry mixture. Top with a layer of the whipped cream mixture. Repeat one more layer. For the third and final layer place last cake on the other two layers. Arrange strawberry halves decoratively around the edge. Top with the remaining strawberry mixture. Serve with any left over whipped cream you may have.





Roast Beef


I believe we had Roast Beef every Sunday growing up!  There is nothing like walking into a house on a Sunday after Church with Roast in the oven!  I love love roast and I love the house smelling like roast when I walk in the door.

One time my sisters and I were waiting on my parents to come home.  My mom had a roast in the oven and we were dying to take a bite so we did!!  We took out the roast very carefully and took  a few nibbles and when we went to put it back in the oven we DROPPED it!  Oh my!  We acted pretty fast getting it up off the floor along with the potatoes and carrots putting it back in the pan and into the oven.  I think our parents thought something was up because none of us ate any as far as I can remember.  We just weren't hungry ;).  We didn't tell our parents for several years! 

The only other time we didn't eat something my mom made was when she made lamb once only once.  I think I cried because my favorite stuff animal growing up with this floppy white little lamb with a satin little bow.  My sisters loved that lamb too so we three stood together and none of  us budged.  Love my sisters!

I believe the trick to a good roast is searing the meat first because it locks in the juices.  I personally like to cook it in the oven verses the crock pot.  The crock pot makes a good roast and if you need to let it cook while you are at work go ahead.  I suggest cooking it for 8 to 10 hrs depending on what your settings are for your crock pot.

In the oven I like to cook it at 275 for about 4 hours.  The meat will just fall apart!  In my roast I add potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. 

Most meats have a breaking point especially roast and brisket (since they are so large).  If when you take it out it's not there (the breaking point) cook it for another 20 to 30 minutes (on low heat).





Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes (about 2 inches), slice onions in quarter pieces, chop 2 garlic cloves and I now just buy ready to eat carrots.



In a dutch oven or a nice heavy pan with a lid pour about 2 to 3 Tbsp of Vegetable oil in pan and heat up on med heat


This is a smaller roast than what I normally buy... When I find roast on sale I get it!!  Kroger and Tom Thumb run it on sale alot.  I do prefer Tom Thumbs roast over most they have angus beef.


In the pan place the roast in the hot oil let it sear on that side for about 3 to 4 minutes...
while it is searing add Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and Lawry's garlic salt (with green lid)


Turn sides and add seasonings to that side....also sprinkle some flour lightly on the roast I forgot to take a picture of that... just lightly so that it thickens the juice a tiny bit.


add the chopped veggies and season them with garlic salt (can use regular salt if you want) and pepper then add 1 cup of water.  Cover and place in over for 4 hrs on 275 degrees


Just out of the oven :)


So tender and moist!



1 roast
6 to 8 potatoes (peeled and cut up)
10 to 15 baby carrots
1 onion (cut into long pieces)
2 garlic cloves
Lawry’s garlic salt
Black Pepper
Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Searing the meat.   Place 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil into a dutch oven or roasting
Pan.  Place roast into pan add garlic salt, black pepper and Worcestershire
Sauce on each side browning the meat to keep juices inside.

Sprinkle some flour on each side of roast this will help thicken the juice that the
Roast makes.

Place roast in the middle of the pan add potatoes, carrots, onion & garlic along
The side of the roast.

Add 1 cup of water

Bake at 275 degrees for 4 hours

If you don’t have 4 hours increase oven temperature to 300 or 350 the lower the
Temp the tender the roast.

Baking at 350 roast should be done in about 2 ½ hours…