Ina Garten's Fridays - Desserts

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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!  I hope you all have some fun plans including some good barbeque and some fireworks!  Everyone needs a few fireworks on the 4th

Today is the first Friday of the month and that is when our group comes together to make delicious recipes from Ina Garten's selections.   This month is desserts so I chose Ina's Strawberry Country Cake.

It is an easy cake to mix up and it makes two layers.  One is for freezing so we will have that one later to enjoy.  Or, you can use both layers if you choose.  It has just a touch of lemon and orange flavor and smells delicious while baking!

Here is a question for all you cake bakers out there!  I always have trouble getting the two layers to be exactly the same amount of batter because I am eyeballing it.  Do you measure your batter and divide it that way?

The recipe says to bake for 45 minutes, however I had read some reviews that this cake was a bit drier than most so I watched it carefully  in the oven.  Mine was done in 35 minutes.  It did not rise as much as I had hoped it would from based on the photos of Ina's cake.

We came in from an exercise class and I couldn't wait to cut into it and have myself a slice!  But after we ate a slice, we decided it needed more strawberries on top.  So I added more.

Much better!
This cake has almost a cornmeal texture to it.  A bit heavy and dense.  When you bite into it if you are expecting light and fluffy you will be disappointed.  But I had already read the reviews and knew what to expect.  We really enjoyed it.  As you can see, we ate about half of the cake!  We figured we could have two large slices since most cakes have two layers.  Is that a good way of thinking?
If you want a quick, easy dessert that looks elegant, this fits the bill.  Here is a link to the recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/strawberry-country-cake-recipe.html

Have a SAFE 4th of July!

Here are a few of my blogger friends that also have First Friday recipes.
SSS= Soup, Salad, or Side
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Want to join our group?  If you’d like to blog each month, email Alyce at afmorgan53@yahoo.com for further information.  If you’d like to join in just once in a while, click on the linky at the end of the post and follow the prompts the first Friday of any month.  Please link Ina recipes only!  Thanks!!
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Comments

The Tumbleweed Contessa said…
This looks beautiful. I like the use of one layer and save one for later. Thanks for sharing with us at Ina Friday.

Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
July 4, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Chats the Comfy Cook said…
This looks lovely. Isn't it wonderful having strawberries in season. I like a lot of strawberries also on top. They add so much flavor to the cake.
July 4, 2014 at 10:57 AM
Mary said…
Strawberries and cake. Can't go wrong with that. looks good!
July 4, 2014 at 11:06 AM
thelady8home said…
How good this cake looks. Great pick, yumm!
July 4, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Cheese with Noodles said…
How interesting, I wonder why it had a cornmeal like texture! Sure looks good though with the strawberries and whipped cream. Perfect for the 4th of July!
July 5, 2014 at 2:46 AM
Alyce said…
Beautiful 4th dessert and it looks light and luscious, Peggy! I like the idea of a little cornmeal texture for a stawberry-shortcake like dessert. Happy weekend!!
July 5, 2014 at 1:36 PM
Rocky Mountain Woman said…
looks lovely! can't go wrong with more strawberries...
July 7, 2014 at 5:39 PM
TeaLady said…
h, yes please. Anything with strawberries.
August 4, 2014 at 9:37 AM
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