Strawberry Cheesecake Torte

 

1 pkg. (16 oz) pound cake mix (and the ingredients to make the cake)

½ c. water

1 pkg. (3 oz) strawberry gelatin

¼ c. seedless strawberry jam

1 lemon

1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/3 c cold milk

1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 pkg. (3.4 oz) cheesecake instant pudding and pie filling

1 kiwi, peeled, sliced, and halved

1 c hulled and sliced strawberries

 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare cake mix according to package directions; pour into loaf pan.  Bake 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean; cool 10 minutes.  Carefully lift cake out of pan and cool completely.  After completely cool, cut evenly into thirds (to make three layers).  The top layer may need to shaved off if it rounds up much when baking (all layers must be even and flat).  All three layers should be fairly even, as they will be stacked later.
  2. Boil water in microwave, add gelatin and stir until dissolved.  Add jam; whisk until smooth.  Brush the top of the three cut layers evenly with all but 2 Tbsp. of the gelatin mixture.  Trim off about ¼ inch or less around the edge of each layer; discard edges (they make a great snack).
  3. Zest lemon, set aside.  Juice lemon to measure 2 Tbsp. juice.  In large bowl, combine cream cheese and lemon juice; whisk until smooth.  Add milk; whisk until smooth.  Spoon whipped topping over cream cheese. (Do not mix.)  Sprinkle with pudding mix; mix well.  (Mixture will be very thick).
  4. Place one cake layer on serving dish or platter.  Using icing piping utensils, pipe filling around the edge of the layer.  Then, with large ice cream scoop, place four scoops filling in the middle, spread evenly.  Top with second cake layer.  Repeat filling as above.  For third layer, pipe a decorative border around the edge.  Spread any remaining filling down center.

Slice kiwi; cut slices in half and arrange on top of cake.  Hull strawberries and slice.  Place strawberries and reserved gelatin mixture in small bowl; mix gently.  (If gelatin mixture has set, microwave on HIGH 5-10 seconds or until softened.)  Spoon strawberries over top of cake; sprinkle with reserved lemon zest.

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