Fresh Strawberry and Blueberry Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

I have had so many requests for this recipe I just had to post it!



Basic Yellow Cake

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (do not sift the flour)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
Vegetable oil
1 stick butter (not margarine), softened
1-tablespoon vanilla extract
1-teaspoon almond flavoring
3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350°

Cut wax paper to fit the bottom of (3) 9 x 1 1/2-inch round pans. Spray the pans with cooking spray, place the wax paper in the pans and spray the paper.

In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, mixing well.

Measure the 1-1/4 cups of milk in a 2 cup measuring cup….then add enough vegetable oil to bring the liquid up to 1-1/3 cups.

Add the milk/vegetable oil mixture, butter, vanilla, and almond flavoring to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl as needed.

Add the eggs and continue beating an additional 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near center of cake comes out clean, or until cake springs back when touched lightly in the center.

Cool cakes on wire racks for 15 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.

For the frosting:
1 package of Dream Whip prepares according to package directions
1- 8 oz package of softened cream cheese
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
1 cup sifted powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste until light and fluffy. Best in powdered sugar. Fold into dream whip. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

To assemble:
You'll need 2 cups of fresh strawberries and 1 cup of fresh blueberries. Chop 2/3 of each to use between the cake layers. Leave the other 1/3 whole to top the cake.

Place one cake layer on your cake stand and put half of the chopped berries on top, spread about 1/4 cup of frosting over the berries. Repeat with second cake layer, and top with the final layer. Frost the top and side of cake and arrange the whole berries nicely on top. Refrigerate overnight. Cut and enjoy! This would be a GREAT 4th of July recipe!