STRAWBERRY MOUSSE CAKE OR PIE

Strawberry Mousse Cake or Pie

1. Chop fresh strawberries coarsely in a food processor to make 3 cups. 

2.  Soften 2 T. gelatin (2 packages) in ¼ C. cold water for 5 minutes.  Nuke for 20 seconds and stir until dissolved.

3.  Beat 1- 8 oz.  block of cream cheese with 1 C. white sugar and the warm gelatin until smooth and creamy.

4.  Stir in the chopped berries until well blended.

5.  Whip 1 C. cream until stiff.    Beat in 1 generous T. of instant vanilla pudding mix or Ultra Gel.

6.  Fold into the strawberry mixture and blend.

7.  Pour into a 10 inch pie crust (I used this Pie Crust or pour over a yellow cake baked in a 11x15 inch pan. (see my favorite yellow cake) You can poke large holes in your cake if desired.   (This is too much for a 9x13 pan) Chill until set. 

8.  You can make a strawberry sauce to spoon over the pie or cake by crushing some strawberries, adding some sugar  and a little Ultra Gel to thicken if desired.

The Best Yellow Cake

I have tried a lot of yellow cake recipes and this pleasantly surprised me and is similar to my favorite Chocolate Cake . It is simple to stir up and very moist.  It works great with this recipe. 

1. In a largish glass bowl bring 1 C. of water to boil in the microwave

2.  Stir in 1 1/2 C. white sugar

3.  ½ C. vegetable oil (I like light olive oil)

4.  3 eggs.

5. 1 tsp. salt

6.  4 tsps. baking powder

6.  2 tsp. good vanilla

7.  Beat in 2 C. of flour and 1 scant cup whole milk. 

8.  1/4 C. corn starch  This batter will be somewhat 
thin. 

Bake 350 until the center is firm and the cake is lightly browning, don't underbake.  Bake in a 11x15 inch pan or two 10 inch round cake pans.