cherry | Created by Diane

Recipes: Fresh from the Garden or Grocery Store

Diane — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:07:52 +0000

Discover delicious recipes made with fresh ingredients straight from your garden or local grocery store. From crisp veggies to flavorful herbs, these easy recipes celebrate seasonal goodness in every bite!

Fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs bring vibrant flavor that elevates every recipe!

Let’s have fun with the best herbs, fruits, and vegetables… you’ll be making tasty recipes year-round. Whether you’re picking fresh from your backyard garden or grabbing seasonal vegetables at your local farmer’s market or grocery section, there’s nothing quite like cooking with fresh ingredients.

Fresh herbs, berries, and garden vegetables not only boost flavor, they also elevate your meals with vibrant color, essential nutrients, and that just-picked taste.

Fresh produce is packed with flavor and nutrients. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley can turn an everyday dish into something extraordinary. Vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens are staples in recipes ranging from salads to stir-fries.

Homegrown or freshly purchased ingredients are typically better tasting and more aromatic

From Basil to jalapenos, aloe, to swiss chard, pasley, oregano, broccoli, and snow peas, these are all items I’ve grown in my garden. While some plants do well, some don’t produce as much as I’d like over time, and some produce year after year with great success. I’m curious what grows well for you (and where that is). I grew up in NJ with a huge garden, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, melons, and corn. We had fresh produce all summer long.

I myself do not have the greenest thumb, but I do grow herbs, and I can grow jalapenos! And every year or so, I try my hand at something new!

I love cooking with fresh herbs. Oregano, parsley, basil, lemon thyme, Thai basil, and rosemary grow well for me year after year; some plants survive our mild winters.

I love jalapenos, they are just the right kind of spice for me. Not too hot that I can’t eat them. I have a handful of jalapeno plants, one is over 6 years old and still produces jalapenos all year long…

Which is why you can find lots of jalapeno recipes here,

learn how to pickled jalapenos, make jalapeno pepper jelly, and add them to my favorite cilantro lime sauce!

And my most requested recipe, I made two double batches in the last week for parties this Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese is always devoured.

Picked, Purchased, or Shared… Delicious Recipes Start Here:

No matter if you are into gardening or prefer to get your produce at the grocery store, I have some fun recipes to try. Maybe you’ll stop by a roadside stand, or farmers market, or have a friend who has a garden.

I look forward to fresh-grown produce, any chance I can get it. In the summer, my all-time seasonal favorites are zucchini, tomatoes, corn, jalapenos… I’ve grown lettuce, broccoli, and snow peas, but I rarely grow them all consistently.

Let’s get on with the summer specialties!

Zucchini– you’ll find tons of great uses for zucchini here. I just love this zucchini italiano recipe my mom always made it, and it’s still a favorite! And if you love soup, even in the summer you’ve gotta make this creamy zucchini soup!

Tomatoes– there really is nothing like a home-grown tomato, and here you’ll find plenty of tomato recipes. These recipes include using canned and fresh tomatoes, fresh tomatoes can easily be substituted for canned in most recipes.

Corn– I love when corn on the cob is nice and sweet, loaded with flavor. But if you don’t have any or it’s out of season, most recipes can use frozen white corn- it tastes very similar! I prefer it over the frozen yellow corn, but sometimes stores don’t carry white corn, so you can use what you can find in these corn recipes.

Avocados-Now I love guacamole, but wow you can do so much with avocados, from my favorite sandwich, to snacking on these avocado cream cheese wontons, and this super easy avocado caprese, full of fresh veggies is this California Roll BOWL, the perfect easy item to make anytime and give this pineapple guac a try- it’s paired up with coconut chicken!

If you are looking for fun summer FRUIT recipes, give these a try.

Strawberries– OMG, the possibilities are endless, and there are decent strawberries year-round, but when they’re in season, they really win the prize. From this 1 hour strawberry shortcake to overnight oats, nothing beats pretty pink strawberry frosting, and I have lots of varieties! And a real show stopper is this Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie with Pretzel Crust.

Raspberry Recipes– oh, and don’t miss this great vanilla cake, raspberry filling chocolate frosting, it’s yummy!

B lueberries– I think blueberries are my favorite fruit: I love b lueberry muffins, and blueberry scones are amazing, don’t let pie seem complicated… make a blueberry galette is always on repeat in my kitchen, my go to syrup to make is blueberry syrup, and it’s perfect in Blueberry Margaritas– which I know to make often! If you need a good cookie for breakfast, these grab-and-go blueberry oatmeal breakfast cookies are a must.

Blackberries– aren’t they just gorgeous, always plump and such a deep color, they go great in drinks and appetizers, take a look…

Lemons– this lemon pasta salad is sure to win you over! As well as my all-time favorite Lemon Wine Sauce, it’s like liquid gold! And if you have an abundance of lemons, juice them and freeze the juice to use later. You can freeze whole lemons and grate them rind and all when you want to add a nice lemon juice and zest to recipes!

Limes– key lime pie, and my all time favorite sauce is Cilantro Lime Sauce. These coconut lime scones are so flavorful, and limes are a must in these Margarita Cupcakes!

Cherry Recipes– cherry muffins, and they are great with cherry lime curd! And give this Cherry Italian Cream Soda a try!

Fresh Herbs:

Cilantro– if there is one recipe you make from this whole list, make this Cilantro Lime Sauce! It’s my favorite on tacos and so much more.

Basil– Fresh basil is always a winner, and a great summer favorite is this feta basil balsamic pasta salad. Try these mini basil bundt cakes, how about some marinated caprese– it’s a must to have in the fridge to snack on. And if snacking is as much fun for you as it is for me, enjoy some caprese crostini.

Rosemary– a fun twist on a summer classic, this Garlic Rosemary Potato Salad is so fun! I typically like my chocolate chip cookies just by themselves, but WOW, these Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookies take them over the top to fantastic. These pork chops are sure to win you over. And before we know it, it’ll be the holidays, and you have to make this Cranberry Rosemary Toffee!

Parsley– Nothing is better than homemade buttermilk ranch, and this green goddess dressing tastes amazing. Quinoa Tabbouleh is full of fresh flavors!

dill– Dill adds a fresh, bright flavor, Lemon Dill Potato Salad, and how about some quick pickles, a must if you have an abundance of cucumbers! And this pickle chicken is wildly tasty!

oregano– brings on the Greek and Italian vibes, so try this Greek Pasta Salad and Italian Chopped Sub Salad.

lavender– Lavender Syrup, and the perfect summer drink is Lavender Lemonade, and this wonderful and oh so pretty… Chocolate Lavender Cake.

mint- healthy mint chocolate chip smoothie, and I love fresh mint in this Roasted Cauliflower Pasta Salad and this yogurt dip is a must, especially for Greek beef kabob style meals.

Why I Ignore Plant Spacing Rules — And My Garden Still Thrives!

I rarely plant items with the spacing they suggest, it may work well if you live someone else or aren’t planing in containers. I think plants like friends! And it seems to work well for me!

The post Recipes: Fresh from the Garden or Grocery Store first appeared on Created by Diane.

Candy Cupcake Toppers

Diane — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:11:22 +0000

Candy cupcake toppers, fun colorful and take only minutes to make with minimal ingredients.

Bring the sparkle to your dessert table with these stunning candy firework cupcake toppers! Made with melted white candy melts and topped with red, white, and blue sprinkles, these edible decorations are perfect for 4th of July parties, patriotic holidays, or any celebration that needs a little wow-factor. These delicate swirls resemble bursting fireworks or whimsical pinwheels, adding height and flair to any cupcake display. They’re not only eye-catching but also easy to make ahead—just pipe, sprinkle, and let them set!

Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, summer picnic, or birthday bash, these DIY candy toppers are a fun and festive way to add a patriotic pop to your cupcakes.

Let’s grab some

Lollipop Sticks

White Candy Melts

patrioitic colored sprinkles and aren’t these sprinkles cute

they’d be great on these cookies too!

More great sprinkle options for more occasions

And do you see that added sparkle… that’s edible GLITTER!

You’ll also need a piping bag, parchment paper, and a baking sheet.

Making these candy cupcake toppers will be ready in no time…

Let’s start with the cupcakes… OMG Red Velvet is the way to go… or use chocolate or vanilla, or funfetti.

You’ll find my

Be sure to check out this PATRIOTIC CAKE– this is a show stopper!

In fact I have lots of Patriotic Recipes…

More Patriotic Recipes

While I piped some thin and some thick, the thinner lines worked well when eating at home. If you plan to travel with them, Make the lines THICKER, or even a small breeze will break the candy. Or place them in the cupcakes when you arrive.

Finally, If you plan on driving with food check out my tips here!

Another option to use to make items to top cupcakes and treats with is Royal Icing check out more ideas here!

Candy Cupcake Topper

Candy melts, lollipop sticks, and sprinkles combined to make the cutest cupcake toppers

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword candy, Cupcakes

Prep Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings

Author Diane Schmidt – createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

1/2 cup white candy metls I use Ghirardelli brand
6 lollipop sticks 1 used 6" sticks
1 tablespoon sprinknles I used red, white, and blue non pariels, and stars
edible glitter
piping bag
parchment paper

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring each 30 seconds, until smooth and fully melted.
Place the melted candy into a piping bag, cut a small hole (I piped thinner and thicker lines) if you'll be serving at home, thin is fine, if you plan to travel with them, make them thick so they won't be so fragile and break while transporting.
Place the lollipop sticks on the parchment lined baking sheet.
Swirl the melted candy onto the lollipop sticks, allowing it to collect at the end of the stick for support.I found the thicker the better!
Then place sprinkles on top before it firms up.
Add a bit of glitter if using it, I dip a tiny paintbrush into the glitter then tap it with a finger to allow the glitter to release on top of the candy.
Place the baking sheet into the fridge for 5-10 minutes until the candy is firm.
Stick the lollipop sticks into cupcakes and serve.

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how to thaw a turkey without taking up fridge space

Diane — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 08:14:55 +0000

This biggest holiday meal of the year is just days away, let’s talk turkey!

Are you tired of trying to squish a big bird into your fridge by moving and shoving everything around until there is enough room and afraid something will come tumbling out every time you open the door until the holiday meal is served (which could be days)!

The best way to thaw a turkey:

Use a cooler to thaw your turkey and remove stress.

Here is an estimated timeline to thaw your holiday bird in water in a cooler.

THAW A TURKEY IN WATER:

12-14 lbs 6-8 hours changing the water every few hours.
15-16 lbs 8-10 hours changing the water every few hours.
18-20 lbs 10-12 hours changing the water every few hours.

Defrost time for turkey: use this timing guide as an estimate.

Now, if you want to speed up the timing to thaw a turkey quicker change the water every 30 minutes to 1 hour. As the frozen turkey thaws the water will get colder, just empty the cooler, then refill it with cold water. I use a hose and keep my cooler outside in the shade (use an umbrella or under a covering to not have the cooler in the hot sun if the temperature outside is above 70 degrees)

Turn the turkey over in the cooler so it thaws evenly or place something heavy on top if needed or if you feel it’s not thawing evenly.

The turkey can remain in the cold water in the cooler as long as the temperature inside the cooler doesn’t rise above 40°. Add ice to maintain the temperature.

Now let’s chat about the rest of the holiday meal and how to keep it simple and keep stress to a minimum.

Here are some delicious ideas:

Drinks- apple cider sangria and be sure to give these cranberry jello shots a try!
Appetizer- pumpkin deviled eggs or this fig jam dip or maybe you’re more of a goat cheese and cherry jam kinda person!
Side Dishes: potatoes- instant pot or slow cooker or give these garlic pumpkin mashed potatoes a try!
Need a fun item all the kids and adults as well will devour, warm cinnamon apples are always a huge hit.
And while we’re at it why not make a batch of mac and cheese because a few hours later after the meal you might want some!
stuffing- OMG this is really my all-time favorite!
sweet potatoes- make these fun Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes or this easy brown sugar sweet potato casserole.
1 lb cranberry sauce
Gravy-this is my make-ahead recipe, perfect every time!
How to cook the best turkey ever- check all the details out here
Desserts- now pie is usually the show stopper, one of my all-time favorites is chocolate pudding pie, and this pumpkin cheesecake pie, now maybe you’re in the mood for a pumpkin cake-this one is so pretty, or some cute pumpkin cupcakes.

DRIVING with food can be challenging if you need to bring items miles away from your kitchen… get my tips for traveling with food here.

PRINT out this list so you can keep track of the items you’ll be making and the timing to keep it all manageable.

Now maybe you go to the end of this and just want to be able to sit down and eat a meal that tastes like a well crafted Thansgiving meal but need it to be much simpler…

Make this perfect Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich- it’s fantastic!

Or make my “Fake Thanksgiving Dinner” with turkey meatballs and easy sides.

Now… What’s next? How to Simplify CHRISTMAS and I’m looking forward to making these mini cranberry pecan pies and of course these great sugar cookies too.

The post how to thaw a turkey without taking up fridge space first appeared on Created by Diane.

Raspberry Recipes

Diane — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 06:34:57 +0000

Bright red and sweet with just a hint of tartness. Grab some raspberries and let’s find you a new favorite to make with them.

Fresh fruit adds delicious flavor to so many items.

Choose the best looking fruit, and the best tasting fruit will give you the best results.

If you’re pureeing or making syrup you can use frozen raspberries, be careful of the extra liquid that can form when thawing, so drain well. If you’re looking for a raspberry smoothie frozen raspberries can be added in place of the frozen strawberries. Other great items to add into a raspberry smoothie, use a combination of strawberry and raspberry, add in some fresh lemon juice for a nice citrus flavor, add in some coconut, or blueberries are another great option.

vanilla cake, raspberry filling chocolate frosting topped with fresh berries, this cake is a winner!
raspberry coconut scone what a great flavor combo
raspberry cheesecake pies, silky smooth, super cute and the perfect dessert anytime of year.
raspberry syrup– use for drinks like a delicious raspberry lemonade, great in cocktails or drizzle over some yogurt or ice cream
raspberry filling great for filling cakes or cupcakes

raspberry swirl cupcakes, raspberry frosting for the love of raspberries, using raspberry jam is always a great option to add fruit flavor without the fuss
raspberry coconut ice cream making this no churn ice cream is a summer favorite
lemon raspberry cupcakes finding the best flavor in a raspberry extract is great to have on hand for baking
raspberry frosting, chocolate cupcakes these cute cupcakes are piped with a Russian rose piping tip, chocolate and raspberry is a dynamic duo and the contrasting color combo is so pretty
mini fruit pies just one of the best reasons to buy fresh fruit… PIE!!!

This is a wonderful filled vanilla cake, topped with berries (this one is filled with strawberry syrup but you can easily use raspberry puree or raspberry syrup for the filling.

and more delicious raspberry items:

raspberry and lime shrimp ceviche a fun twist on tradition
shortbread cookies raspberry jam let’s get Jammin’
raspberry lemonade using a fruit puree is another option for drinks

I’ve used this raspberry extract, I find it have a nice flavor. Any of these recipes can use fresh raspberries boiled down and reduced by at least half and pressed through a fine sieve, dehydrated raspberries are another option. In drinks I prefer homemade raspberry syrup.

Want more fruit recipes:

The post Raspberry Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

Brunch

Diane — Sat, 11 May 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The combination of breakfast and lunch truly wins! Bruch is just about the thing ever. Don’t you agree! And if you’re more of a night owl, call it Brinner and enjoy it later in the day! These recipes will have you craving all sorts of delicious flavor combinations for days.

Making any day special with brunch!

From toast options to eggs, to baked goods, desserts, feeding two, or feeding a crowd. Fruit and drinks. hearty casseroles and so much more.

Avocado Toast
Smoothie Bowls
Lemon Scones
Stuffed French Toast Casserole
Bacon– Bake it up crisp
Buttermilk Biscuits– so light and tender!

And some great drinks to go along with brunch:

whipped coffee– OMG so amazing
or maybe you’ll want to try this coffee syrup on top of pancakes, yogurt or in drinks, totally yummy!
homemade lemonade
got blueberries? this gorgeous blueberry lemonade is outstanding
lavender lemonade
lavender iced tea
Are you an iced tea fan… this Kentucky Dirty Cocktail is delicious
Smoothie fans- love the blueberry oatmeal smoothie or an apple cinnamon oatmeal smoothie.
And apple sangria is always a good option.

A fun fruit options is Grilled Apricots

Make some Egg Salad Spring Rolls for a fun make ahead item.

Keeping it simple make some overnight oats, prep them and piles some fruit around a tray and serve it charcuterie style.

Need something on the go… make a batch of these blueberry breakfast cookies.

Or try some TOAST options. I have over a dozen varieties.

some more yummy options

Buttermilk Scones
Eggs Benedict Enchiladas– OMG so yummy, I included ham in this and it’s delicious
Hard Boiled Egg plus Eggs, tips and uses
Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon because no breakfast is complete without bacon and just another way to get in a green vegetable!
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
1-hour Strawberry Shortcake– one of my all time favorite cakes, simple to make and enjoyed by all! This cake can be topped with any fruit, mix it up with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or slice on some bananas for your banana pudding fans and enjoy!

And don’t forget how great a nice vegetable soup can be for Brunch! Try this Creamy Asparagus Soup!

Strawberry Mimosa– the color alone of these is GORGEOUS, and just one more reason to enjoy Brunch!
pancake biscuit and turkey gravy
Blueberry Scones– just one more reason to enjoy blueberries
Beet Dyed Deviled Eggs– super pretty and so delicious, and you will be happy if there are leftovers… enjoy them for days!
Asparagus with Hollandaise
Deviled Egg Dip, surround it with bagels and dip away charcuterie style!

Cornbread fans give these cornbread waffles a try, and don’t you think cornbread goes with everything!

More great dessert options:

Maple Banana Walnut Cake– don’t miss this one!

I also love baked custard, and rice pudding.

I know it’s not fall…. But oh yummy these pumpkin pancakes are always a great option,

Check out these fun Pancake Mix recipes! If you need a homemade pancake recipe check this out.

If you’re planning on serving a ham these cheesy potatoes make a great side dish.

And this bacon and egg fried rice recipe is always outstanding along with this potato pancake recipe.

Prep and bake the day before so it’s smooth sailing in the morning. Items to prep ahead are the fruit, cook the bacon or sausage and then simply reheat it. Bake the dessert and gather all the place setting items you’ll need. Remember fresh lemons or herbs will make any meal more flavorful.

Looking for more popular recipes!

Happy Brunching!
~Diane

The post Brunch first appeared on Created by Diane.

Whipped Goat Cheese with Jam

Diane — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 17:41:03 +0000

Easy whipped goat cheese topped with sour cherry jam, so delicious.

I just love cheese and crackers and if that cheese is in dip form better yet!’

The tangy sweet combination of this duo is amazing.

Continue reading: Whipped Goat Cheese with Jam

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Cranberry Syrup

Diane — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:21:41 +0000

Grab an extra bag of cranberries or two to make this festive syrup perfect for drinks, breakfast and more.

Making fruit syrup is simple and there are so many uses.

I love making drinks with fresh syrups.

And the color cannot be denied as gorgeous and festive.

Add in a sprig of rosemary and whamo… it’s the perfect drink.

This cranberry syrup is perfect for drinks, cocktails: it’s great in champagne or prosecco, and other mixed drinks, perfect for holiday pancakes, waffles, French toast. It kicks up lemonade, milkshakes, Italian cream soda, pour over yogurt or ice cream.

Continue reading: Cranberry Syrup

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Lavender Recipes

Diane — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 15:56:16 +0000

Lavender in recipes will have you thinking about lavender in a whole new way. It’s the perfect addition to drinks and desserts that will have you planning your next sweet tooth treat.

English is the most popular culinary lavender, it’s easy to purchase edible lavender online if you’re not able to find it locally. Culinary lavender is sifted multiple times so that all that remains is the lavender buds.

Lavender Syrup is fun and easy to make, it’s great in coffee, tea, and lemonade and can be mixed into frosting to give it a delightful flavor.

Substitute lavender for the rosemary in my Rosemary Lemon Cookies and place some lavender buds or pieces on top of the icing.

Chocolate and Lavender cookies, lavender icing is a fun topping to wither vanilla sugar cookies or chocolate.

Lavender Scones, great with lemon added too.

Continue reading: Lavender Recipes

The post Lavender Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

Pickled Turnips

Diane — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 17:21:53 +0000

I love Mediterranean food and when I first had these pickled turnips I just fell in love, they are crunchy, have that great pickled flavor, and just can’t resist food that looks that pretty!

Could these pink picked turnips get any prettier, I think not!

Apparently… I love pink foods, you can find more here

Blueberry Basil Lemonade– one of my all-time favorite drinks
Pretty Pink Frosting– rose piped cupcakes
Cherry Italian Cream Soda– oh so fun!
Pink frosting on cake– don’t miss this beauty

I am all about picked items, I just love the tanginess… the crunch, the flavor, and the versatility that pairing picked items with Mediterranean items for a flavor explosion!

Continue reading: Pickled Turnips

The post Pickled Turnips first appeared on Created by Diane.

Filled Vanilla Cake

Diane — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:37:58 +0000

Fresh flavors are just part of the delicious taste of this Vanilla Strawberry Cake, the perfect texture of this cake is also filled with pastry cream. I also give lots of filling options.

This is a 2 layer cake, each layer is then cut to create the 4 layers. And let me just tell you how fantastic this frosting is.

It’s silky smooth, not overly sweet, and simply delightful.

There is always something amazing about fruit and cake together, and on that note, this cake is over the top fantastic with a layer of pastry cream to make it over the top!

This vanilla cake with strawberry filling will win you over in one bite, and everyone’s eyes rolled back on the first bite of each and every one. This is the cake you’ll make again and again.

This cake is filled with fresh, thick berry syrup. (oh… There are so many uses for fresh strawberry syrup. Strain the berries out or leave them in, use it to fill cakes, in drinks like lemonade and cocktails, or top some pancakes with it.

Boil 1 cup diced strawberries with 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 minutes. COOL in a bowl over ice water or make ahead of time, or use premade jam (heat jam if it’s from the refrigerator until warm so it’s easier to spread over the cake without tearing it up).

What other flavors can I use in this cake?

The possibilities are endless… raspberry, blueberry, cherry, pineapple, apple (add a pinch of cinnamon), blackberry, banana. Just bring the fruit to a boil with some sugar, and you’re all set! Choose your favorite fruit and the cake will taste delicious.

I love this flavor combo, it’s one of the best fillings for vanilla cake, fruit and custard go together so well without being overly sugary sweet!

This is the best vanilla custard cake filling… Homemade pastry cream it’s silky smooth, rich, and delicious, and the perfect filling for cakes and pastries.

You’ll only use 1/2 the recipe, so you’ll have extra, or you can cut the recipe in half. Pastry cream is a thick custard (thick pudding) or make pudding from a package mixed with heavy cream and a tiny bit of milk to make it really thick, so it doesn’t weep and get too wet in the middle of a cake.

What else can you fill the cake with?

Frosting, add berries and use a pastry brush to brush jam over the berries in the layers to keep them moist and shiny.

caramel
chocolate ganache
lemon curd
strawberry curd
blueberry curd
stabilized whipped cream
sour cream frosting
cream cheese frosting
More frosting recipes here!…
Other options are Nutella and Biscoff spread.

I have lots of cake options and frosting recipes to help you get your sweet tooth fix:

Frosting Options:

I can’t wait to make this cake with Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream and alternating layers with hot fudge sauce.

The cake recipe is below:

>>> Here are the additional recipes I used to complete this cake.

Silky smooth Faux Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Fresh Strawberry Syrup,
Pastry Cream recipe, you’ll only use half, so feel free to eat the rest off a spoon!

Filled Vanilla Cake

A yummy moist 2-layer white cake, cut to make 4 layers, filled with pastry cream and strawberry filling, like jam. A silky smooth frosting with a rich buttery taste that isn't overly sweet. Topped with fresh berries. A great patriotic cake.

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings -12 servings

Author Diane Schmidt - createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix Duncan Hines do not follow the directions on the package
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
pinch salt
1 1/4 cups water
4 egg whites from large eggs
4 oz butter, melted or 1/2 cup
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons oil I use avocado oil, vegetable or canola would work as well
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 335° (not 350 it'll be too dark)
Prepare two 8" round cake pans.
Use a baking spray or use a thin coating of shortening and flour, then wrap the pans with wet baking strips to ensure evenly baked cakes.
In a large bowl with a mixer add all the ingredients in the order they are listed. Cake mix, flour, sugar, salt, water, egg whites, butter, sour cream, oil, and vanilla flavors.
Mix on low speed until the mix starts blending, then turn onto medium speed and mix for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl and under the beater after the first minute to be sure they combine fully, then continue mixing until well blended.
Pour the cake batter evenly amongst the two pans and tap the pans gently on the counter so the batter is level in the pans.
Bake at 335° (not 325° and not 350° for a well-risen cake that isn't dark in color).
I set the oven rack set just above the center and it bakes evenly.
I start testing the cakes at 30 minutes, then I test them about every 5 minutes until they are just set and a toothpick comes out clean when tested in the center of the bake.
Remove the cakes from the oven, and allow them to cool for 10 minutes.
Turn the cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool them completely.
Wrap in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate or freeze the cakes so they will stack well and not slide. They don't need to be completely cold or frozen through, you just want them to be firm so they hold up well when stacked and won't slide. The longer you freeze them the easier they are to work with, and will maintain the moisture as well.
Don't forget to print the other recipes:
Strawberry Syrup, choose to strain it or leave the strawberries in like I did.
Pastry Cream (reduce to a half portion if you don't want leftover pastry cream..
Faux Swiss Meringue Buttercream, a quick version of the origional, that is simple and tastes fantastic,

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