Summer Strawberry Cream Cake or Cupcakes

This post is inspired by an old recipe (Strawberry Cream Cake) in Everyday Food. To make this cake gluten-free, I used my favorite standby recipe from a Gluten Free Guide in which you use a GF Betty Crocker cake mix and make cupcakes or a 9" round cake.
This is a delicious summer dessert. It's perfect for birthday's... including my BIG 30!  ;)

Summer Strawberry Cream Cake

Cake:

1 package Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
1 3.4oz package Jello vanilla instant pudding
1/3 cup sugar
4 large eggs, plus 1 egg white
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup orange juice (no pulp)
1 tbs bourbon vanilla extract

Topping:
1lb strawberries, thinly sliced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar

Directions:
** DO NOT FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE BOX OF CAKE MIX**
Preheat oven to 325°F.

Mix the wet ingredients (for the cake) together in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together. Add the wet to the dry and beat on medium speed until smooth and completely combined.

for cupcakes: Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and fill about 2/3 of the way full. DO NOT OVERFILL. Bake for 23 minutes or until cupcakes are golden and toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.

for a cake: line bottom of cake pan with parchment paper and grease (I used butter and sprinkled sugar) the sides of the pan to prevent sticking. Pour cake mix into pan (about 2/3 full). You may have extra batter (make a few cupcakes). Bake for 40-45 minutes or until cake is golden and toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack for about 15 minuted before removing the cake from pan and letting cool completely on rack.

Make topping: In a large bowl, combine strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar. Set aside (can be prepared 1 day in advance). 

Using an electric mixer, beat heavy cream and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.

Spread the cake with a layer of strawberries and then top with whipped cream. Slice and serve immediately! Or spoon whipped cream onto cupcakes and serve with a side of strawberries. Enjoy!

 

cupcakes

or cake

Thanksgiving Side-Dish! Colorful Roasted Potatoes with Sage

This is probably one of the easiest and healthiest side-dishes you could have at your Thanksgiving dinner. Plus, it tastes delicious!

                                                        Colorful Roasted Potatoes with Sage

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs. mixed fingerling potatoes (red, purple, yellow), cleaned and cut into about 1/2" to 3/4"cubes
1 1/2 lbs. red skinned sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" to 3/4" cubes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tbs coarse kosher salt
20 medium fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl;  toss to coat well. Spread mixture in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until potatoes are tender and begin to brown around the edges. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring at the 1/2 way (20 min) mark. Serve roasted potatoes warm or at room temperature.

Gluten Free Girl and the Chef are coming to Colorado!

It's official, the Gluten Free Girl and the Chef are making their way to Colorado! I am particularly excited about  next weeks events because Shauna Ahern's book, Gluten Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back...and How You Can Too  resonated with me and brought me hope after my Celiac diagnosis. It was given to me by a special friend in New Mexico, and was the very first book I read after my diagnosis. If you are in Colorado next week, this will be an amazing time.  


Luckily for me, I live in Boulder where the giant pot-luck party will take place. It's heartwarming to know that I am going to a BIG gathering where all the food will be gluten-free and most likely be very delicious...Boulder was named the "foodiest" town in America! Any thoughts on what I should take to the pot-luck? Maybe muffins...

The Boulder Party/Event Info:
Saturday, November 20th at 1 pm
First Congregational Church
1128 Pine Street, Boulder, CO 80302 
Bring a dish of your favorite gluten-free food! (Please label it with all the ingredients inside, so people with other food allergies can eat safely as well.) If you can, bring some plates, forks, knives, and napkins. We're having a party.  
For all Colorado Events, check out Shauna's website.