Canada Day cake

This cake was submitted by Anna Lisa from Canada, who makes this cake every year and it is a giant hit because of the strawberries and maple leaf design. She uses local strawberries, as it is strawberry season during Canada Day and the spring/summer (click here to explore ideas for hosting your own Canada Day party). This Canada day cake combines pound cake with jello to enhance the strawberry flavor throughout the cake.

This cake was submitted by Anna Lisa from Canada, who makes this cake every year and it is a giant hit because of the strawberries and maple leaf design. She uses local strawberries, as it is strawberry season during Canada Day and the spring/summer (click here to explore ideas for hosting your own Canada Day party). This Canada day cake combines pound cake with jello to enhance the strawberry flavor throughout the cake.

How to Make the Ultimate Canada Day Cake

To begin this cake, find an 11 x 7 inch rectangular glass cake pan. This Canada Day cake uses a baking dish with handles, which makes carrying the cake easier and may be more convenient for travel purposes. When using glass cake pans, make sure to grease the pan so that the cake does not stick to the sides. 

Whenever making cakes there is always an option to make it from scratch or from a box, in this case a super moist strawberry cake mix box was used. Start by preheating the oven to the desired temperature on the box, typically 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In a mixing bowl, combine a small package of strawberry Jell-O and boiling water. Make sure the jello is completely mixed together and set aside to cool. Then, in a standing mixer, mix together the cake mix and eggs, adding one egg at a time. Next, add the oil into the mixer and combine the ingredients. Finally, mix in the cooled jello and beat for approximately two to three minutes, until fully combined. 

Pour the cake mix into the greased pan and bake for 28 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Once cooked, place the pan onto a cooling rack and wait until completely cooled. Then, place the cake into the fridge to stay cool when preparing whipped cream. If the cake is too warm when whipped cream is added, it will melt and make a mess. 

The next step for this cake is the whipped cream in place of icing. There are three options for whipped cream: homemade, in a tub, and in a can. Any option will work for this cake, but homemade and in a tub will be most effective. The most important part of whipped cream is making sure that it stays cold. If the weather is hot outside, try to find a cold place to prepare the cake and refrigerate regularly. Place a thick layer of whipped cream on top of the cake and spread evenly with an icing spatula. Then, place in the fridge while preparing the strawberries.

The final section to complete this cake is decorating the top with strawberries to make the cake look like the Canadian flag. You will need approximately 30 strawberries, and if possible buy extra strawberries to make sure you have enough. Begin by washing the strawberries with water and salt; the salt will help to remove any tiny hiding bugs or dirt. Next, carefully using a knife, cut out the bottom leaves and middle of the strawberry. Place the strawberries vertically, with the point faced up and cut thin slices across.

Once the strawberries are cut, get the cake from the fridge. Identify the middle of the cake and begin placing the strawberry pieces in an outward motion, continuing to stack them on top of each other. Ideally, start with a piece at the top and size to make your maple leaf symmetrical. Once your strawberry maple leaf is complete cut a small rectangular piece of strawberry to act as the stem and place it at the bottom. 

After the maple leaf is complete, place strawberries in vertical columns on the left and right of the cake. By doing this you are creating the red parts of the Canadian flag and making them as large and symmetrical as possible for the amount of strawberries you have. Based on the 11 x 7 inch size of cake made, only two to three columns are necessary. Once you have finished decorating your cake with strawberries, place the cake into the fridge until you are ready to eat. 

Enjoy your delicious strawberry Canada Day cake. Good luck creating a strawberry pound cake with jello and if you enjoy the added flavor and texture, try the same techniques explained above with another flavor of cake, such as lemon cake.