Easter Dinner, Part 6: Strawberry Lemonade Cake

What would a family gathering be without dessert?  And what would Easter be without Peeps?  This recipe cheats a little in my book by using a boxed strawberry cake mix.  If you prefer to make your own cake from scratch, by all means do it.  It will only make the cake that much better.  To me, the lemonade frosting is really what makes the flavor of this cake spectacular.  Add the Peeps and M&Ms for decoration, and it becomes a child’s dream.

Ingredients

One box of strawberry cake mix (plus oil, water, and eggs as directed on box)

2-8 oz packages cream cheese, softened

1 packet (0.23 oz) Kool-Aid lemonade mix

1-7 oz jar marshmallow crème

⅓ cup powdered sugar

8 oz Cool Whip

Marshmallow Bunny Peeps, assorted colors

Pastel M&Ms

Make strawberry cake and bake in two 9” round cake pans according to directions on the box.  When finished baking, let cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks to finish cooling.

With an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and lemonade mix until smooth.  Mix in marshmallow creme and powdered sugar, then fold in Cool Whip until completely smooth.  Refrigerate until cake is cooled.

Place one cake layer on serving dish and spread frosting on top.  Place second cake layer on top of frosting and spread frosting on top.  Frost sides of cake.  Refrigerate until ready to decorate.  (Tip: Do not decorate until the day of serving as the color from the Peeps and M&Ms may run into the frosting.)

To decorate, place Peeps around side of cake, touching one another.  If desired, place additional Peeps on top of cake in the center.  Sprinkle M&Ms on top of cake in a single layer.  Serve and watch the smiles!