Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

Find strawberry fields forever at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Celebrate the beloved fruit — and the farmers that grow them — at the largest free harvest celebration in the state. Jam to live music, nom on delicious food and drinks and compete in a berry fun strawberry eating contest.

Strawberry Cake

• 15.25 ounce box white cake mix

• 3 -ounce box strawberry jello

• 1 cup strawberries fresh or frozen mashed or finely chopped (measured after you chop or mash them)

• ¾ cup vegetable oil

• ½ cup whole milk or 2% milk

• 4 large eggs at room temperature

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 -ounces cream cheese at room temperature

• ½ cup Butter room temperature

• 5 to 6 cups confections sugar sifted then measured, more if needed

• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream more if needed

• ¼ cup strawberries fresh or frozen, mashed or chopped fine, drained

For the Cake

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray pan(s) with non-stick spray .

• Add cake mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil to a mixing bowl. Use a mixer and mix well. Mix in the 1 cup of mashed strawberries and the (dry) strawberry gelatin.

• Mix 3 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl a couple of times.

• Divide the batter evenly among layer pans or pour into a 9x 13 pan Cool the cake layers for 10 minutes in the pan before removing them to a wore rack. Wait until the cake is completely cool before frosting.

Icing : Beat cream cheese and butter till smooth. Gradually add in sugar and Mix. Then add cream and fold in strawberries. Use between layers and for icing the cake