STRAWBERRY COCONUT JELLY CAKE

Steps:

• 1. PLEASE NOTE: My brother Curtis told me that the reason Rex Jelly was so popular when we were growing up, was because it was the cheapest you could buy at the time, and with a household of 13, I do understand why mama use it as a frosting to frost many of her cakes. We were well below the poverty level, & it was an inexpensive way to have an economical dessert. It really TASTED GREAT TO US, WE LOVED IT. If YOU ARE NOT USING the White Lily All purpose flour, please omit the additional 6 tablespoons of flour.
• 2. Because I created this frosting before leaving for the 650 mile trip in ARKANSAS, & wanted to make sure I had enough frosting. I made more than I anticipated I would need, so you may want to cut back on the quantity that you use. I did have some left over after frosting the 3 layer 9X9 size SQUARE CAKES.
• 3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. I used 3 pans like this, but you may use round or even a Bundt pan but the baking time will be about 1 1/2 hours for the bundt pan @ 325 Degrees F., and 38-42 minutes for the 9 inch square pans, do check after about 32 minutes.
• 4. Cream Butter and sour cream with sugar in a mixing bowl until light and creamy about 12 to 15 minutes, or until no sugar grains remain in mixture.
• 5. Then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each has been added. Measure out flour and gradually add to creamed mixture beating well after each addition.
• 6. Add Almond Extract & vanilla Bean paste or extract and beat till blended. Prepare baking pans by spraying with Bakers Joy, or greasing with butter and dusting with lightly with flour.
• 7. Pour batter evenly into all 3 pans. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 32 to 38 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• 8. Let sit in pan till sides of cake pulls away from sides of pan about 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Frost as desired. I LOVE USING BAKERS JOY WHEN I AM BAKING CAKES.
• 9. To make the strawberry Jelly frosting add all of the jellies to a large bowl, then add the gelatin, powdered sugar, & lemon juice, then whisk or beat with a mixer on low speed till blended. Frost each layer separately then top with shredded coconut, before adding the next layer. Coat sides also if desired, and add shredded coconut. Garnish with fresh strawberries and candies if desired. NOTE: You can also add STRAWBERRY JAM between each cake layers if desired, instead of the jelly and just use the jelly for the top and sides. Refrigerate leftover for a later use if desired.
• 10. Frost one layer of cake at a time, before adding the next layer, then top each layer with the sweetened shredded coconut, on sides and liberally on top. Garnish with fruit and candy as desired.