What is Strawberry Moon Cake? Here's a Recipe! (2024)

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We are approaching strawberry season in the Midwestern United States and I know other warmer locales are already enjoying the ruby red bounty of deliciousness. There's nothing better than a patch of fresh strawberries on your property to go harvest them straight from the plant.

First, however, what is a "Strawberry Moon?" I conjure up images of a beautiful blood red moon but the term has nothing to do with the color.

🌕 What is A Strawberry Moon?

The Strawberry Moon is the full moon that occurs in June and is either the final one of the Spring season or the first full one of summer. It is named after the wild strawberries that ripen during this time. The Algonquin tribes of North America are believed to be the first to use this name. The Strawberry Moon is also known as the Rose Moon.

Historically, the Strawberry Moon was a time of great abundance for many people, in the days before chain grocery stores that bring abundance every day. Under the light of the Strawberry Moon, the flowers are in bloom, the early fruit is ripening, and the weather is warm and sunny. This is a time to enjoy the outdoors and to celebrate the natural world.

The Strawberry Moon, historically, was also a time for reflection and gratitude. It is a time to appreciate the abundance of our lives and to give thanks for the blessings we have received.

If you are lucky enough to be able to see the Strawberry Moon which occurs this year on June 9 - 10, take some time to enjoy its beauty. It is a reminder of the natural world and of the abundance that is all around us.

📜 The Amish and Strawberries

The Amish grow a lot of their own strawberries. And if you are lucky enough to go to a U-Pick farm or Amish garden center for strawberries you are in for a treat! Or perhaps you grow your own, which is an equally amazing thing to do.

But if you don't grow your own, there are still plenty of fresh strawberries around this time of year. Farmers markets, roadside stands, and local groceries are sell the freshest berries this time of year.

Carmon Hacker, a long-time friend and friend of Amish365.com, shared this recipe and her photos with us once and I wanted to share them all again since we are approaching strawberry season in my part of the world.

Here is what Carmon says about this creation:

This is a light, refreshing cake combining gelatin and fresh strawberries and it is especially delicious in spring and summer. Why is it called “Strawberry Moon Cake”? Because one bite is all it takes to send your taste buds “over the moon!” Hope you and your fellow foodies enjoy this as much as my family and I do!

Strawberry Moon Cake really is an amazing cake, easy to make and packed with flavor!

See Also

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This is, by the way, definitely the type of cake popular in Amish farmhouses, whether you use boxed or scratch cake mix, this type of recipe that incorporates seasonal fruit into a dessert always earns accolades in Amish kitchens.

Make sure you poke plentiful holes in the cake, about six or seven holes per row, spaced pretty evenly apart.

The cake will soak up the gelatin.

Strawberries are a favorite fruit on Amish farms because they are so easy to grow and they produce a bountiful amount, usually. Strawberries, as a fruit, are also very versatile. Strawberries can be turned into jams, jellies, preserves, pie fillings, cobblers, mixed into bread batter, used in cold soups, sliced into salads, eaten plain as a snack, and on and on. This type of versatility makes the strawberry a prized spring and summer delicacy on Amish farms and in gardens.

Many Amish homemakers will have a full-fledged garden on their property, but they'll also set aside some room just for a special strawberry patch. Ah, and there is nothing better than driving through Amish country in the spring and summer and finding some fresh berries being sold from a roadside stand. I encourage you to try to find some this year.

So, check out this cake that will make you go over the moon!

🍓Strawberry Moon Cake Ingredients

STEP ONE

• white cake mix, 15.25 oz., prepared according to directions on box and baked in a 9 x 13 pan
• 6 oz. strawberry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water

STEP TWO

• 14 oz. can whipped cream cheese frosting
• ½ tsp. almond flavoring
• 8 oz. whipped topping, thawed

📋 Instruction

1. After cake has had at least one hour to cool, combine strawberry gelatin in a medium-sized bowl, and gently stir in boiling water.
2. Poke about 24 holes in cake with the end of a wooden spoon and pour warm gelatin over cake.
3. Combine frosting, almond flavoring and whipped topping and spread over cake.
4. Garnish the top with fresh sliced strawberries and refrigerate at least three hours before serving.

🍓 More Amish Strawberry Recipes

Mom's Strawberry Crisp

Strawberry Bread

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Shortcake

🖨️ Full Recipe