Strawberry Dream Cake

I'm a sucker for anything nostalgic. For me, the new year always comes with a certain pleasant and warm feeling. Yes, I said warm. While it has been anything but warm outside, my oven is always hot in January and February for some reason. Perhaps it's all the birthdays, or maybe even pink treats for Valentine's. Oh, don't get me started on Valentine's Day again...I am starting to get to the point, I promise. There's just something about snowflakes and pink hearts and NFL playoffs that do me in. The Broncos might break my heart, but I can at least dream for now. So, what is dreamier than than Peyton winning another Super Bowl? Ehh...nothing. But, this Strawberry Ice Cream Dream cake might just change my mind.

 Ingredients:

• 1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 (85 g) package strawberry-banana flavored Jell-O
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups sifted cake flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup strawberry puree
 For the Frosting:
• 3 sticks + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 3-4 tablespoons strawberry puree

For the strawberry puree: either thaw frozen strawberries or use fresh ones, blend up until smooth-- it does not require many strawberries, maybe 1/3 of a 12 oz bag
 
For the Cake:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Combine (wet ingredients) milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla
• In  a separate bowl, (dry ingredients) sift together flour, baking powder, and salt
• With an electric mixer, cream sugar, butter, and Jell-O packet for 5 minutes.

• Add one egg at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated
• Next, alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients, always begin and end with the dry
• Do not over mix. Separate batter into three round 8 in pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking progress after 20 minutes.
 
For the Frosting: 
• Cream butter with an electric mixer for 8 minutes on medium speed
• Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and whip for 6 more minutes 
• Mix in strawberry puree

This cake with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream is like childhood in a bite. So, this is the good part of nostalgia. The bad part? I'll get back to you on that one (Broncos kick off in an hour).