Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake a.k.a. Mancatcher Cake

So this cake is easy to make and it was how I met almost everyone in my dorm at Westminster College my freshman year. It's sweet and it's great for all of the berry lovers out there! Definitely a beautiful substitution for those tasty chocolate cakes. My friends christened it the "Mancatcher Cake" because every time I made this cake, I got a date along with it!! It's a great cake to have with your roommates or if you're showing off your apartment to some friends! It looks fun and tastes great!


What You'll Need:
1 package white cake mix (as well as the eggs, oil, water, etc. to go along with baking the cake)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 8oz. package cream cheese
1 8oz. tub of Cool Whip
1 small package of strawberry Danish dessert
1 pkg fresh strawberries


Let's Get Baking!
Bake the white cake as instructed on the box (I always go for Betty Crocker and Pillsbury is really good too) and let it cool.  Make sure the cake is flat and doesn't go in a dome shape (sometimes if you don't lay the batter down even, it is higher in the middle than it is in the corners. This makes it difficult to place the frosting because it will run into the corners and leave the top bare). While it is cooling, start on your frosting. Take your package of cream cheese (might want to cube it just to make it easier) and begin to beat it with your electric mixer (tried it with a hand mixer...doesn't work!!!) Gradually add your powdered sugar in with the cream cheese until it is mixed and smooth. In a separate bowl, place the entire tub of Cool Whip in and beat that until it thickens up. Once it does, add it to your powdered sugar/cream cheese mixture and beat till it is thick, smooth, and well mixed. You can add more or less sugar depending on how you like it to taste, but 2 cups usually does it about right. Layer your frosting on top of your cake (you can definitely layer this one on! Just make sure the cake is cool or the frosting will rip it up) Now it's time for your strawberries! Wash and slice up your strawberries, then put them aside. With your Danish dessert, follow the directions on the box for the pie glaze (however, only add 1 1/3 cup water instead of the amount printed on the box). When the Danish dessert is done, add in your strawberries and mix well. Place on top of your frosting and let it cool for about 15-20 minutes. Then place in your fridge and let it refrigerate overnight for for 4 hours at least. Be wary of roommates that will sneak in at 3 AM to take a bite! Will take a picture of this one as soon as possible. Enjoy!


ALTERNATIVE
If you feel like turning this into a cupcake, I just tried it and it was a MAJOR success!! Just follow the cupcake baking directions on your box, let them cool, then make up the frosting and Danish dessert. When the cupcakes are cooled, lightly cover the top of the cupcake with Danish dessert, then add a dollop of frosting on the top! To decorate, grab a few slices of strawberries or some pieces of chocolate (go Hershey's!) and stick it on the top :)