Strawberry cake

Strawberry Cake: A Refreshing and Elegant Delight

If you desire a dessert that enchants the senses and brings a touch of magic to every meal, this strawberry cake is the perfect choice. Combining a soft chocolate base, delicate cream, and fresh strawberries, this cake not only looks spectacular, but its taste is also irresistible. Moreover, it is an ideal dessert for any special occasion or simply to indulge yourself after a long day.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 70 minutes (plus cooling time)
Number of servings: 10

Ingredients

For the chocolate base:
- 6 eggs
- 6 tablespoons water
- 100 g dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa)
- 50 g butter
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 vanilla essence

For the syrup:
- 5 tablespoons raw sugar
- 500 ml water

For the cream:
- 250 g mascarpone
- 250 g cream cheese (or very fatty cheese)
- 400 ml liquid cream
- 100 g powdered sugar

For decoration:
- 200 g fresh strawberries
- 200 g berries (blackberries, raspberries)
- Chocolate topping (from leftover chocolate)

Preparation

1. Preparing the chocolate base:
- Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Prepare a 24 cm round cake pan, greasing it with butter and dusting it with flour to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with 6 tablespoons of water and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until you achieve a firm, glossy meringue. This is when the meringue comes to life!
- In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with the vanilla essence until creamy. Add the melted chocolate (melted together with the butter) and mix well. Slowly fold the meringue into the yolk mixture, being careful not to deflate the egg whites.
- Finally, add the flour, gently mixing with a spatula. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let the base cool completely before cutting it.

2. Preparing the syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine 5 tablespoons of raw sugar with 500 ml of water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Once boiled, let it cool.

3. Preparing the cream:
- Whip the liquid cream with a mixer until it becomes firm and starts to form peaks. In another bowl, mix the mascarpone and cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth. Add half of the whipped cream and gently mix. Add the remaining whipped cream and mix until you obtain a smooth and airy cream.

4. Assembling the cake:
- Once the base has completely cooled, carefully slice it horizontally into two equal halves. Soak the first half with the cooled syrup, then add half of the cream cheese. Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries, followed by the remaining cream. Place the second half of the base, soak again, and cover the cake with the remaining whipped cream.
- Decorate with berries and a topping of leftover melted chocolate.

5. Cooling:
- Place the cake in the refrigerator for a few hours or, ideally, overnight. This will allow the flavors to meld and make the cake easier to cut.

Useful Tips

- Choosing ingredients: Use high-quality chocolate for an intense and rich flavor. If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the cream.
- Keeping freshness: The cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but it is best on the first day when the base is fresh and moist.
- Variations: You can experiment with other seasonal fruits, such as peaches or mangoes, to change the flavor profile of the cake.

Nutritional Benefits

This strawberry cake is a good source of antioxidants due to the dark chocolate and fresh fruits. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and can contribute to heart health. Additionally, the cream cheese and mascarpone add a dose of calcium and protein, making this dessert not only delicious but also quite nutritious.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use white chocolate? Yes, white chocolate can be an alternative, but keep in mind that it will make the cake sweeter.
- How can I turn this cake into a vegan dessert? Replace the eggs with a mixture of flax seeds and water, use vegan chocolate, and opt for a plant-based alternative for cream and cheese.
- Can the cake be frozen? Yes, but it is recommended to freeze the base separately from the cream and fruits to maintain texture.

Serving

This strawberry cake is delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a refreshing drink, such as fruit tea. It is also perfect for sharing with loved ones on special occasions, bringing a touch of joy and satisfaction.

No matter the occasion, the strawberry cake will surely be the star of your meal. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this divine dessert, full of flavors, textures, and a story every time you serve it!