1 box white or yellow cake mix
1 qt. fresh strawberries
1 lb. whipped cream
2 tsp. rum flavoring (optional)
1/3 c. sugar (add sugar amount of boiling water slowly using just enough water to make into a thick liquid)

Wash and pare strawberries. Save about 12 strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar if they are not sweet. Put remaining strawberries in a bowl and mash. Add rum flavoring to sugar liquid and combine with mashed strawberries. Set aside.

Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Allow to cool. Spoon strawberry juice on top of one layer enough to soak through. Add half of the mashed strawberries. Top with whipped cream as though you're frosting it.

Add second layer; repeat with the strawberry liquid and the remaining mashed strawberries. With rest of whipped cream, frost the entire cake. Use reserved strawberries, slice partly in half and decorate top of cake. Keep in refrigerator to keep whipped cream hard.