Nesting Cake with Eggs

Adventure Cake - a delicacy that combines the flavor of fresh fruits with the lightness of a fluffy base and a decadent cream. It is the perfect dessert to celebrate special moments, such as Easter, but also to impress guests at any festive occasion. Let's discover together how we can prepare it step by step, bringing a bit of culinary magic into our kitchen.

Preparation time:
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Baking time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
- Servings: 10-12

Ingredients

Base:
- 5 eggs
- 150 g sugar
- 140 g white flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 packet of baking powder for sweets
- a pinch of salt

Cream:
- 600 ml milk
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (or white flour as an alternative)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 200 g cream cheese
- 250 g strawberries + 2 tablespoons sugar

Whipped cream:
- 200 ml whipped cream

Syrup:
- Strawberry juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 100 ml water

Glaze:
- 300 g milk chocolate
- 80 g butter
- 150 ml whipped cream

Decoration:
- 250 g colored chocolate eggs

Step by step

1. Preparing the strawberries:
We start by finely chopping the strawberries and mixing them with 2 tablespoons of sugar. We place them in a strainer with a plate underneath to allow the syrup to drain. This step will enhance the flavor of the strawberries and add a note of natural sweetness.

2. Preparing the base:
We separate the egg whites from the yolks. In a bowl, we beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they become firm peaks. When the foam is stiff, we gradually add the sugar, continuing to mix until it completely dissolves.

Then we add the yolks, oil, white flour, and baking powder, gently folding with a spatula using up-and-down movements to retain the air in the mixture.

We pour the mixture into a springform pan lined with baking paper. We bake the base in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes. Perform the toothpick test to check if it is baked. After baking, let the base cool on a rack.

3. Preparing the cream:
In a bowl, we mix the cornstarch with the egg and a little milk. In a saucepan, we bring the remaining milk to a boil. When it starts to boil, we add the cornstarch mixture and stir continuously until the cream thickens. We remove it from the heat and add the sugar. We let the cream cool, and when it is at room temperature, we add the strawberries and cream cheese. Finally, we fold in the whipped cream.

4. Preparing the syrup:
Meanwhile, for the syrup, we take the drained strawberry juice, add 100 ml of water and a tablespoon of sugar. We bring the mixture to a boil until the sugar completely dissolves.

5. Assembling the cake:
We cut the base into three equal parts. We soak the first layer of the base with the strawberry syrup and pour 1/2 of the prepared cream on top. We place the second layer, soak it, and add the remaining cream.

From the third layer, we cut a circle in the middle using a knife or a cutter. We place the edge of this on top of the cake. From the central circle, we cut a thin slice which we place in the middle of the cake. Don’t forget to soak the top of the cake as well!

6. Preparing the glaze:
We melt 150 g of chocolate with 80 g of butter in a double boiler. We let it cool slightly, then pour the glaze over the cake, ensuring it is evenly covered. We melt the remaining chocolate together with 150 ml of whipped cream, let it cool, and then whip it. Using a piping bag, we decorate the cake to create delicate branches.

7. Decorating:
Finally, we place the colored chocolate eggs in the center of the cake to give it a festive and playful look.

Chef's tip:
For an even more intense strawberry flavor, you can add vanilla essence to the strawberry cream or use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available. Also, if you want a more rustic-looking cake, you can skip the piping decoration and use a spatula to apply the chocolate cream.

Possible variations:
If you are a fan of other fruits, you can replace the strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or even peaches to create a delicious variation of this cake.

Calories and nutritional benefits:
Each serving of Adventure Cake contains approximately 350-400 calories, depending on the ingredients used. It is a good source of protein, thanks to the eggs and cheese, as well as vitamins from the fruits, making it a more balanced dessert.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of flour?
Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour, but the texture will be different.

2. How can I store the cake?
Keep the cake in the refrigerator, covered, for 3-4 days.

3. Can I prepare the cake a day in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, the cake will taste even better after sitting overnight, as the flavors will meld.

Now that you have gone through each step of this Adventure Cake recipe, you are ready to bring joy and sweetness into the lives of your loved ones. Enjoy every slice and don’t forget to share this recipe with those who appreciate homemade goodies!