Strawberry cake

Strawberry Cake: An Explosion of Freshness and Sweetness

If you're looking for a dessert that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests, the strawberry cake is the perfect choice. This cake harmoniously combines the most delicious ingredients, bringing a touch of summer to every slice. Its preparation may seem challenging, but with a few tips and tricks, you'll achieve a spectacular result. Let's discover together the recipe for this refined dessert!

Total preparation time: 3 hours
Number of servings: 15
Baking pan diameter: 20 cm

Necessary ingredients

For the base:
- 5 eggs
- 4 tablespoons of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 3 tablespoons of ground walnuts
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- A pinch of salt

For the syrup:
- 400 ml of water
- 2 teaspoons of rum essence
- 3 tablespoons of sugar

For the white ganache cream:
- 50 g of white chocolate
- 50 ml of liquid cream

For the strawberry cream:
- Strawberry foam made from 5 strawberries, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 200 ml of water
- 1 box of mascarpone (250 g)
- 2 tablespoons of vanilla powdered sugar
- 100 ml of liquid cream

For decoration:
- 100 ml of liquid cream
- A few strawberries
- A little white chocolate
- Sugar confetti Dr. Oetker

Step 1: Preparing the strawberry foam

1. Wash and prepare the strawberries: Choose 5 large strawberries, wash them well, and cut them into small cubes.
2. Boil the strawberries: Place the strawberries in a pot with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 200 ml of water. Boil over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the liquid reduces.
3. Cool and blend: Set the pot aside and let the mixture cool. Use a blender to turn the boiled strawberries into a fine foam. This will be the base for the strawberry cream.

Step 2: Preparing the chocolate-covered strawberries

1. Melting the chocolate: In a bowl, melt a few squares of white chocolate. Let it cool slightly so it becomes thicker.
2. Coating the strawberries: Wash and dry a few strawberries. Dip them in the melted white chocolate and place them on a tray. Leave them in the refrigerator to harden.

Step 3: Preparing the base

1. Separating the eggs: Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
2. Whip the egg whites: Use a mixer to beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt and sugar. Continue mixing until you achieve a firm foam.
3. Add the yolks: Gradually incorporate the yolks, mixing gently.
4. Add the dry ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and ground walnuts over the egg mixture. Use a spatula to gently fold, to maintain the airiness.
5. Bake the base: Pour the mixture into a round pan lined with baking paper and bake at 180°C for about 25 minutes. Check if it's baked using the toothpick method.

Step 4: Preparing the syrup

1. Boil the water with sugar: In a small pot, put 400 ml of water and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Boil for 5 minutes.
2. Add the essence: After it has cooled, add the rum essence.

Step 5: White ganache cream

1. Heat the cream: In a small bowl, heat 50 ml of liquid cream.
2. Add the chocolate: Place the finely chopped white chocolate into the warm cream and mix well until fully dissolved. Refrigerate to cool, then whip with a mixer until it becomes a fluffy cream.

Step 6: Strawberry cream

1. Whip the cream: In a bowl, whip 100 ml of liquid cream until firm.
2. Prepare the strawberry cream: In another bowl, mix the mascarpone with the vanilla powdered sugar. Add the strawberry foam, mixing gently, then fold in the whipped cream.

Step 7: Assembling the cake

1. Cut the base: Once cooled, cut the base in half, ensuring the bottom is thicker than the top.
2. Soak the base: Use the previously prepared syrup to soak each layer of the base.
3. Fill the cake: Place the strawberry cream between the two layers of base, reserving some cream for decoration.
4. Cover the cake: Use the remaining cream to cover the cake. Decorate with whipped cream flowers, strawberry cream roses, and chocolate-covered strawberries, carefully arranged in the center.

Final decoration

1. Add details: Sprinkle sugar confetti and, if desired, you can use white chocolate letters to write a special message.
2. Chill in the refrigerator: Leave the cake in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving, to allow the flavors to meld.

Useful tip

To have fine vanilla powdered sugar, you can use a grinder to grind granulated sugar, then keep it in a jar with a vanilla pod to give it a special aroma.

Nutritional benefits

This strawberry cake is not only delicious but also brings nutritional benefits. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, making them excellent for skin health and the immune system. Mascarpone adds a creamy note but is also a source of calcium.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use other fruits? Yes, you can replace strawberries with other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries, to create a different version.
2. How can I make the cake less sweet? You can reduce the amount of sugar in the syrup and creams, being careful to adjust the proportions with a natural sweetener if necessary.
3. Can the cake be frozen? It is recommended not to freeze the cake after assembly, but you can freeze the base and creams separately.

Recommended pairings

This strawberry cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a caramel sauce for an extra flavor boost. Additionally, a refreshing lemonade or a fruit tea is the ideal choice to complement this refined dessert.

In conclusion, the strawberry cake is a wonderful choice for any occasion, from parties to intimate gatherings. With each slice, you will enjoy a perfect combination of textures and flavors. So put on your apron and let's get cooking! Enjoy your meal!