Simple and delicious strawberry cake

Strawberry Cake: a simple and delicious dessert

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Who doesn't love a quick and delicious dessert? Strawberry cake is a perfect choice for sweet lovers, being easy to make and full of fresh flavors. In this recipe, I will guide you step by step in creating a cake with a tender crust and a delicious strawberry filling.

Ingredients for the crust:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g cold butter, diced
- 100 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt

Ingredients for the filling:
- 500 g fresh strawberries, washed and halved
- 100 g sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Preparation method:

1. Preparing the crust:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and mix with your fingers or a mixer until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Do not knead too much to avoid activating the gluten, which could make the dough elastic and tough.

2. Chilling the dough:
Form the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This step is essential for achieving a tender and easy-to-roll dough.

3. Preparing the filling:
Meanwhile, prepare the strawberry filling. In another bowl, mix the halved strawberries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. The cornstarch will help thicken the strawberry juice during baking, giving the filling extra consistency. Let the filling rest for 10-15 minutes so that the strawberries release their juice.

4. Assembling the cake:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface until you have a sheet about 5 mm thick. Place the dough in a cake pan (about 22 cm in diameter), making sure to cover the edges as well.

5. Baking:
Pour the strawberry filling over the dough in the pan, distributing the fruit evenly. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling starts to bubble.

6. Cooling and serving:
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it and let it cool completely on a cooling rack. This strawberry cake is delicious served plain, but can be accompanied by a dollop of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more decadent experience.

Variations:
You can experiment with other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries, or peaches, to create different versions of this cake. Additionally, adding a tablespoon of rum or a splash of balsamic vinegar to the filling will enhance the strawberry flavors.

Thus, with this simple and delicious recipe, you will achieve a strawberry cake perfect for any occasion. Enjoy every slice and savor the fresh taste of summer!