Strawberry Cake - Native American Style
A real crowd pleaser!
The ripening of wild strawberries marked the end of eating dried Winter foods for Native Americans. To celebrate this occasion Native Americans held festivals where strawberries were made into juice and baked in cakes. I attended a strawberry festival a few years ago and got my first taste of this strawberry cake, it was so delicious! I made a mental note that I would one day make this at home and now that Spring has rolled around and strawberries are abundant I have put together a recipe that was such a big hit with my kids and friends kids that I would like to share it with you. Not only does this cake taste delicious, it is also naturally healthy, sugar free and has a historical connection. It is believed that the Colonists developed strawberry shortcake after tasting this Native American treat. (see more about eating sugar free)
This is very easy to make!
Strawberry Facts
- Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds growing on the outside.
- The Cherokee word for strawberry is "ani"
Cook Time
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup crushed strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add oil, honey and milk. Stir until batter is smooth. Add strawberries and combine. Pour into an 9 inch round oiled pan. Bake for 25 minutes then lower the oven to 350 for 5 minutes to allow the center to cook through.
- Optional Incing Requires: 1/4 cup mashed strawberries 8 oz cream cheese honey to taste Combine 1/4 cup of mashed strawberries to 8 oz of cream cheese. Add honey to taste. Enjoy
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add oil, honey and milk. Stir until batter is smooth. Add strawberries and combine. Pour into an 9 inch round oiled pan. Bake for 25 minutes then lower the oven to 350 for 5 minutes to allow the center to cook through.
Optional Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Combine 1/4 cup of mashed strawberries to 8oz of cream cheese. Add honey to taste.
Enjoy!
Comments
yumm.
iit's awesome.
What time are we s'posed to be there? Oh, I can taste it! UP
Patty Inglish, Yes, the whole grain texture gives this cake weight and is so satisfying.
T20cook, It was so yummy that it was gone in a flash.
Endap Mgr, Thanks!
Teylina, Come anytime. Thanks!
Hi Tracy, I am so looking forward to making this, it looks and sounds yummy!
I hope you enjoy it! The cake doesn't last long in my house.
Hi, Tracy! I’m definitely trying this one. I love delicious-looking healthy recipes. Voted up.
IZeko, thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
I am a huge fan of strawberry shortcake. It has always reminded me of summers in CT when we would pick wild strawberries from a patch in our yard. This recipe looks awesome. I love that it is sugar free. I have bookmarked this and am going to make this strawberry cake for sure next summer when the fruit is in season again!
~voted up~ (by the way - the photo is awesome)
Hi Ktrapp, I guess after all of the work you have done on your power punching hubs you deserve a nice treat. I suppose a summer without eating some version of strawberry shortcake would be missing something. I would not have created the hub if the cake wasn't such a hit with the 12 and under set. I love the image of you collecting the berries in your yard. I really hope you enjoy the cake! Thank you!
Yum! I can't wait to try this. It looks delicious. I love that you gave us some background information. Voted up, useful, etc.
Brittanytodd, everytime I look back at the Strawberry Cake photo I want to make it again. I hope you like it as much as I do and thank you so much for the votes!
Tracy
I've never tried using the wild strawberries that infest my yard...good to know.
Patty Inglish, MS 11 months ago
I like the whole grain texture of the short cake! rated Up!