I am new to this site and am just getting into decorating cakes. I am in charge of the cake for my best friends bridal shower this month (yikes!) and I am stuck about what flavor I should do for my first time. Should I experiment with filling at this stage, etc? I am a pretty quick study and dont mind a challange. I really want to knock peoples socks off, as they will remember this cake for years to come. I need this cake to taste as great as it looks. Are there any "knock your socks off" recipes that anyone would like to share with a first-timer? I appreciate any and all help I receive. Wish me luck, I am gonna need it!! 
Pineapple filling!
Refreshing and spring timey taste and delicious! EASY TO MAKE! and taste great with buttercream icing!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup pineapples, cut into pieces
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon butter
Mix sugar, flour, and salt. Add beaten egg, pineapple, and the juice, Cook in double boiler until thick.
Add butter and mix well gain.
Remove from heat and cool.
Then spread it between your layers.. This will cover about 2 - 8 in circles.
I even used peaches in the place of pineapples and that was yummy as well!...
Oh here's another one.. If you like the filling in twinkies! LOL 
Then you'll love this recipe!
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 drops lemon extract or whatever you wish to use. Almond extract is good to.
Cream the butter and shortening together; then slowly add the sugars while continuing to beat.
Add the evaporated milk, vanilla and lemon extracts; mix on medium speed until completely smooth and fluffy
One of the easiest, and guaranteed delicious is a good quality jam.
Raspberry is great with white, yellow or chocolate
Strawberry is nice, too.
You can use it straight from the jar, or mix it with the icing you are using for the cake.
Be sure to pipe an icing dam about the perimeter of the cake to prevent oozing of the filling.
Hello. I have tried quite a few scratch cakes and the only one I like so far was the White Wedding Cake recipe on this site-it's moist and yummy for a scratch cake-In my opinion).
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-2131-1915-White-Wedding-Cake.html
But I have really gone back to box cakes because I think they are the best and moist and perfect and not to mention fluffy. I love the Duncan Hines cakes mixes or I also get the Pillsbury cake mixes with pudding in the mix. They are both good to me and believe me when it comes to food, I savor the taste. LOL.
If you really want to make a cake your own-try one of these recipes-they are great!
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-1599-801-Enhanced-Cake-Formula.html
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake_recipe-1953-1746-Super-Enhanced-Cake-Formula.html
Good luck on your first big cake!
Helen-that pineapple filling sounds delicious! I HAVE to try that. All of these tips are priceless!! JoAnn-thanks so much for the tip, I never would have known that and probably would have gone crazy with a dripping cake on my hands!! Thanks so much for taking the time! Please, keep the ideas and recipes coming!!
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