strawberry cake or pie-- looking for a simple recipe that does not use food dyes

[klpmommy]

so far i have come across recipes that are simple & require jello or strawberry gelatin (which likely has food dye) or ones that are very complicated with lots of ingredients. Can anyone help? We picked strawberries today & the kids want to make strawberry cake or pie with some of their "pickings".

[Raspberries]

I found this online:
http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/fresh-strawberry-cake-3408

For the preserves you could use an all fruit jam that doesn't contain dyes or sugar and just skip the red food coloring altogether.

[musicmama]

I always make strawberry cake with the pink strawberry cake and then cover it in those frozen sugary strawberries, but you could macerate them yourselves, use a vanilla cake and poke holes in it and it'd drop in and color the cake :tu

We top with cool whip :yum

[mamaKristin]

I've made these a couple of times and they are tasty!!
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/candace-nelson-strawberry-cupcakes

I'd use the most ripest, juiciest berries with a light dusting of sugar in the recipe to make the puree. :yes


ETA: I generally get 10 full sized and 12 mini cupcakes. The icing recipe is amazing too, but you only need 1/2 of what it calls for.

[Raspberries]

Ooh Kristin that looks yummy!

[klpmommy]

Kristin, I think I can make those! I just need to find "coarse salt". I supposed they have it at the grocery store? I think I have some sea salt, but that probably isn't the same thing, is it? (Can you tell I am clueless?)

[Raspberries]

Kristin, I think I can make those! I just need to find "coarse salt". I supposed they have it at the grocery store? I think I have some sea salt, but that probably isn't the same thing, is it? (Can you tell I am clueless?)


If it's coarse sea salt, then yeah it's the same thing.

[Marielle]

haven't made a strawberry cake yet (thanks for the recipe Kristen!) but the most deliciously berry buttercream I've made is a MS recipe calling for strawberry jam. I use what I made last year and it was delicious.

[mamaKristin]

Kristin, I think I can make those! I just need to find "coarse salt". I supposed they have it at the grocery store? I think I have some sea salt, but that probably isn't the same thing, is it? (Can you tell I am clueless?)


If it's coarse sea salt, then yeah it's the same thing.


:yes I've used regular salt too, and it was fine.

[doubleblessings]

I don't see any real reason that the recipe needs coarse salt (chef's seem to prefer it). You would need to reduce the amount of salt (about 1/2 as much) if you use regular table salt.

A couple of salt links if you are curious :smile
http://www.foodsubs.com/Salt.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher_salt

[klpmommy]

:yum Kristin the kids & I made those cupcakes this afternoon. The kids love them & E wants me to make those for her birthday (along with a chocolate cake in the shape of a bat). :rockon I used store bought icing.

[mamaKristin]

chocolate bat cake? that's so cute! (or not ;))

So glad you liked them. I love them...wish I didn't. :shifty

[klpmommy]

chocolate bat cake? that's so cute! (or not ;))



Yeah, she is a silly one. ;) Last year her cake was cut in the shape of a dinosaur footprint & now she thinks I can do anything. :lol At least her bd is in October, but finding a real looking bat may be a bit of a challenge still. Hey, I'm hijacking my own thread. :lol

[mamaKristin]

My older daughter wants a soccer ball cake. That sounds heaps easier! Especially because she wants a pink and white soccer ball.