Every time there's a holiday, I wish I was more prepared - with clothing, decorations and especially food. This year, I whipped together a quick (yes, I doctored cake mix) 4th of July Celebration Cake and I was quite happy with the result.

I was happy I got to use my pink desert dawn Pyrex 231 bakeware. Due to it's small size, I often use it as a way to store leftovers instead of putting it to better use (like letting it hang out in the oven). This 4th of July - it got to be the supporting star!

The Pyrex 231 holds 1.5 quarts. Measurements are about 11.5 x 6.5 and 2 inches deep.

The frosting is inspired by the kind you get at Asian Bakeries. It's heavy whipping cream based - light and fluffy, but not very sweet. I never liked the super sweet frosting. To me, it takes away from the cake.

I couldn't bring it to the park, where the holiday celebration included an orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (complete with real cannons!) and banh mi sandwiches on a picnic blanket. The frosting would have melted because it was so hot and quite frankly, I couldn't have transported it there without somehow compromising the visuals.

So after returning home, the 4th of July holiday ended with a piece of cake! Try it next year...or use this recipe to put together another creation for the next holiday!

American Pyrex Cake
serves about 12 (depending on how big you cut the slices!)

Cake:
1/2 box of yellow cake mix
2 eggs + 1 egg white
1/2 cup whole milk
2 TBSP butter, melted
2 TBSP olive oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting:
1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 TBSP powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Toppings:
Strawberries, trimmed and cut in half
blueberries, about 30

Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

For the cake, mix together all wet ingredients in a small bowl. Then pour it into the bowl with the cake mix. Try to use a spatula and mix a few times, don't over mix or it will make a tough cake! Pour into greased Pyrex 231 bakeware. Stick in oven for 20-22 minutes.

For the frosting, using a large bowl and a hand mixer, mix all ingredients until soft peaks form. Put frosting in fridge until ready to frost!

When the cake is cooled, apply the frosting and arrange the fruit to your heart's liking!