Berry mousse cake

Berry Mousse Cake - a delight for any occasion

When it comes to celebrating special moments, a berry mousse cake is the perfect choice. Inspired by a popular recipe, I created this delicious cake for my daughter's 5th birthday. The indulgence of fruity flavors and a light, creamy texture was enjoyed by all the guests. Here’s how you can recreate this recipe at home!

Preparation time
- Preparation time: 1 hour
- Baking time: 25 minutes
- Cooling time: 3 hours
- Number of servings: 12

Ingredients
For the cake base (26 cm diameter):
- 4 eggs
- 120 g sugar
- 100 g flour
- 20 g cocoa
- A pinch of salt

For the berry mousse:
- 200 g berries (fresh or frozen)
- 120 g sugar
- 8 g gelatin (4 sheets)
- 350 ml cream (liquid)

For the yogurt cream:
- 300 g yogurt
- 200 ml liquid cream
- 6 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar
- 10 g gelatin granules
- ½ can pineapple (drained)
- White and black grapes (optional)

For soaking the cake:
- 200 ml water
- 100 g sugar
- Vanilla or rum essence
- Juice from the pineapple compote

For the mirror glaze:
- 175 g water
- 150 g liquid cream
- 225 g sugar
- 75 g cocoa
- 8 g gelatin (4 sheets)

Preparation steps

Step 1: Preparing the cake base
1. Preheat the oven to 170 °C. Prepare a 26 cm cake pan by greasing it with butter and lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix the eggs with the sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes frothy and triples in volume.
3. Sift together the flour, cocoa, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add this mixture to the bowl with the eggs, folding gently with a spatula to keep the air in the mixture.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. After baking, let the cake cool completely.

Step 2: Preparing the berry mousse
1. Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for 10 minutes.
2. In a saucepan, add the berries and sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar dissolves (avoid boiling).
3. Remove from heat and blend the berries, then strain the puree to remove the seeds.
4. Return the puree to the heat for 3-4 minutes, then add the squeezed gelatin and mix well. Let it cool.
5. Whip the cream until stiff, then fold it into the berry puree.

Step 3: Preparing the yogurt cream
1. Drain the pineapple from the compote and set it aside.
2. Hydrate the gelatin in half a cup of compote for 10 minutes, then heat it without boiling.
3. In another bowl, mix the yogurt, powdered sugar, and warm gelatin. Fold in the whipped cream, pineapple, and grapes.

Step 4: Assembling the cake
1. Cut the cake in half. Soak the first half with a mixture of water, sugar, and vanilla or rum essence.
2. Place a removable ring around the cake base. Pour the berry mousse in the center, then add the yogurt cream around it, covering the top as well.
3. Cover the cake with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Step 5: Preparing the mirror glaze
1. Soak the gelatin in cold water for 10 minutes.
2. In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cream, and cocoa. Cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves (without boiling).
3. Remove from heat, add the squeezed gelatin, and strain the glaze.
4. Let the glaze cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, until it thickens but remains liquid.

Step 6: Finishing the cake
1. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and pour the glaze over the top, ensuring it covers evenly.
2. Leave the cake in the refrigerator until the next day, when you can decorate it as you wish.

Practical tips
- Cake care: Make sure the cake is completely cool before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Gelatin: If using granulated gelatin, hydrate it according to the instructions on the package. This will ensure a smooth texture for the mousse.
- Fruits: You can vary the berries with other types of fruits, such as mango or peaches, to create new flavor combinations.
- Decoration: Use fresh fruits, grated chocolate, or mint leaves for an elegant appearance.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use vegetarian gelatin? Yes, you can use agar-agar as an alternative to regular gelatin.
- How can I store the cake? The cake keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 3-4 days.
- Is this cake suitable for vegans? This recipe is not vegan, but you can adapt the ingredients using plant-based alternatives.

Ideal pairings
To make this cake even more special, you can serve it alongside vanilla ice cream or a refreshing fruit drink. A natural lemonade or iced mint tea would be perfect accompaniments.

Conclusion
This berry mousse cake is not only a delicious dessert but also a wonderful choice to celebrate special moments in your life. With layers of flavor and pleasant textures, each slice will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Try it and enjoy the positive feedback from your guests!