Every spring, I crave strawberries. The craving usually hits before strawberries are actually in season. That's why I love making this Strawberry Jelly Donut Cake. I get the taste I want from the strawberry filling without worrying about finding those perfect berries.
The star of this cake is actually not the cake part. I simply use a box mix for that. What makes it great is the filling layer. I used my raspberry sauce from the meringue hearts recipe as a starting point, and revised it for strawberries. So let's go through how to make that:
Make the strawberry filling for the cake
Start with frozen strawberries. Cut up enough frozen berries to equal about 2 cups. Allow the berries to thaw, or microwave on reduced power to speed the process. Once the berries are thawed, mash them thoroughly. A food processor works well, and a fork would probably do the trick, but this time I simply used the "muddler" I got with my cocktail shaker. It worked great. Unlike the raspberry sauce, we are not trying for a completely smooth mixture. No straining required. So I felt comfortable with mashed pieces of strawberry pulp in the mixture. It's like jam. Only fresher.
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Speaking of jam, add some to a small saucepan with the mashed berries. In a small bowl, mix some cornstarch with sugar. Then stir this into the strawberry mixture. Heat, stirring steadily, on medium-low until mixture starts to bubble and thicken. Cook, stirring constantly for one minute until mixture thickens. Set aside to cool. Once cooled a little, transfer to a bowl and refrigerate, covered, until cake is ready. Wait until this is very thick before using on the cake, as you want it to stay in place!
Make the strawberry cake layers
For the cake layers, simply use a strawberry cake mix and bake according to the package instructions. Make 2 (8-inch) rounds, so you have a place to put that yummy filling.
Make the cream cheese frosting
I considered making a strawberry frosting but decided that would be too much strawberry. Yes, there really is such a thing! So instead, I opted for a cream cheese frosting to complement rather than compete with the other strawberry flavors.
To assemble Strawberry Jelly Donut Cake
Place one cake layer on a plate. Cover top surface with cooled strawberry filling. Place second cake layer on top.
Frost cake with cream cheese frosting.
Cake will keep for a day or two at room temperature but refrigeration is advised for any longer, because of the cream cheese frosting.
This cake, like a donut, is delicious with a cup of coffee. To help you find some really great coffee, I found this guide that compares coffee beans.
Simply divine! The Carnivore says it tastes like a jelly donut. Coming from him, that is high praise!
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Strawberry Filling Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced strawberries fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 2 TB cornstarch
- 1 TB sugar
Instructions
- Mash strawberries in a bowl or use a blender/food processor to make about one cup of juice and pulp. Place in a small saucepan with jam and stir together.
- In a small cup, mix the cornstarch and sugar together, then add to the saucepan and mix.
- Begin heating on medium-low, stirring frequently. Bring mixture to a boil, then cook, stirring constantly, for at least one minute to thicken. Remove from heat and set saucepan aside to cool.
- Transfer sauce to a small bowl or jar and refrigerate, covered, until ready to use. Filling will thicken as it cools.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
📖 Recipe
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Cream Cheese Frosting for Bars or Cakes
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 teaspoon milk
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.½ cup butter, 8 oz cream cheese
- Begin adding powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Add vanilla in between the sugar additions.4-5 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- As frosting begins to get very thick, add milk, one teaspoon at a time, to help loosen it up. Adjust amounts of sugar and milk if needed to achieve the perfect spreading consistency.1-2 teaspoon milk
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
More strawberry dessert ideas
If you love strawberry desserts, you might want to try a Strawberry Shortcake Roll or a Fruit Pizza.
psst Wikipedia says the correct spelling is doughnut.
Faith
It looks great I will try a strawberry jelly cake and a cranberry jelly cake and some jelly cookies.
Sula
Sounds wonderful!
Katarina Kovac
Can’t wait to try…. But was wondering I have a jam at home that doesn’t contain pectin, would this change the consistency of the jelly? Should I just go and get a new jam for this lol?
Sula
Honestly, I've never tried that so I'm not sure how to advise you. My best guess is that if your jam has the "usual" consistency, it will work out.
Colleen
A jelly donut cake is a delicious idea. I love it and will be making this for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Sula
Delicious for sure - I hope you enjoy it soon!
Mary
I can't get enough strawberry desserts! This is so good!
Sula
Strawberry dessert are just so special!
Gita
Looks delicious! Can't wait to try this recipe out for my daughter's birthday in a few weeks!
Sula
What a great birthday cake!
Luci
Yum! I love this jelly cake! The flavor is wonderful and the filling is delicious, it really tied the cake together! It's almost gone and I just made it yesterday!
Sula
That strawberry filling makes all the difference in this cake! I'm glad you like it!
Jessica Formicola
This filling layer is totally amazing! This is one of our family's favorite cake recipes! Thanks so much for sharing.
Sula
Thank you Jessica. I'm so glad you like it!
the joyous living
oh man this sounds delicious and looks so beautiful. do you think the texture is more cake or donut?
Sula
Definitely cake texture 🙂
Amy Chung
Yum! What a great recipe! I totally agree that there is such a thing as too much strawberry! LOL! Good to cut through the flavours with something else. Doing lots of baking of late being at home so much so this is going on the list for tomorrow! Thanks!
Sula
Yes I think we are all changing things up with all the at home time right now!
Texasgirl
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing and right up the hubby’s alley!
Sula
It's hard to resist!
Big Trouble
Mmm, this looks like the perfect spring treat! How pretty, too!
Sula
Thank you, it tastes as good as it looks!