Fresh Strawberry Cake

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• 1 (18.25 ounce) box white cake mix
• 1 (3 ounce) box strawberry flavored instant gelatin
• 1 cup cooking oil
• ½ cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, remove stems, rinse and slice

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 box powdered sugar
• ½ cup mashed fresh strawberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans, optional
• ½ cup coconut, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch cake pan or 2-inch round pans. 
2. Combine cake mix and gelatin. Add oil and milk. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between. 
3. Add strawberries. Mix well.
4. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 9x13 inch cake for approximately 35 minutes. Bake 8-inch cakes for approximately 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
5. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack for 20 minutes. 
6. For frosting: Cream butter and sugar at medium speed with electric mixer. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
7. Spread frosting in between layers, top and sides of cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries if desired.