Strawberry Cake Fraisier

Delicious Strawberry Fraisier Cake Recipe

Welcome to my kitchen, where today we will prepare together a strawberry fraisier cake, a classic recipe from French cuisine, perfect for indulging someone special in your life. This refined dessert, made with a soft sponge cake, fresh strawberries, and a fluffy vanilla cream, is sure to become a family favorite. Let's get started!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 2-3 hours
Total: Approximately 3-4 hours
Number of servings: 8-10

Main ingredients:

*For the sponge cake:*
- 4 large eggs
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 5 tablespoons of oil
- 6 tablespoons of flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- A pinch of salt

*For the vanilla cream:*
- 600 ml of milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 100 g of sugar
- 50 g of butter
- 4 sheets of gelatin (hydrated)
- Powdered vanilla (to taste)

*For the whipped cream:*
- 250 ml of liquid cream
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 1 packet of Chantifix (whipped cream stabilizer)

*For the syrup:*
- 200 ml of water
- 40 g of sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar

*For decoration:*
- 500 g of fresh strawberries

Preparation:

1. Preparing the syrup:
We start by preparing the syrup to soak the sponge cake. In a saucepan, add the water, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once the syrup has started to boil, remove it from heat and let it cool.

2. Preparing the sponge cake:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the yolks with the sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light in color. Gradually add the oil while constantly mixing. In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until you get a stiff foam.

Add the flour and baking powder to the yolk mixture, mixing gently. Fold in the beaten egg whites using a spatula, with a gentle up-and-down motion. Pour the mixture into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, checking the consistency with a toothpick. When ready, let the sponge cake cool, then cut it in half horizontally.

3. Preparing the vanilla cream:
In a bowl, hydrate the gelatin sheets in cold water. In a saucepan, bring 600 ml of milk to a boil along with the vanilla and diced butter. In another bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar and cornstarch. When the milk is hot, gradually pour it over the yolk mixture, stirring continuously. Place this mixture over low heat and stir constantly until the cream thickens.

Remove from heat and add the well-drained gelatin, stirring until completely dissolved. Let the cream cool, covering it with plastic wrap to prevent a crust from forming. Once cooled, refrigerate the cream for 2-3 hours.

4. Preparing the whipped cream:
Before assembling the cake, prepare the whipped cream. Make sure the cream is very cold. Whip the cream at low speed, then increase the speed, gradually adding the sugar and vanilla sugar. When the whipped cream becomes firm, add the packet of Chantifix and whip a little more until incorporated.

5. Assembling the cake:
Now, we are ready to assemble the cake! On a platter, place the first half of the sponge cake, soaking it well with the previously prepared syrup. Arrange halved strawberries around the edge of the removable ring. Use a piping bag to spread half of the vanilla cream over the strawberries. Repeat the process with another layer of strawberries and finish with the vanilla cream.

Finally, place the other half of the sponge cake on top, soaking it again. Refrigerate the cake overnight so that all the flavors blend perfectly.

6. Decorating:
The next day, carefully remove the cake from the refrigerator and take it out of the removable ring. Decorate with fresh strawberries or marzipan, according to your preferences.

Helpful tips:
- Choose ripe but firm strawberries for a pleasant texture cake.
- If you want a quicker version, you can use store-bought whipped cream, but make sure it is of good quality.
- The fraisier cake keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but I assure you it won't last that long!

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I replace strawberries with another fruit? Yes, you can use raspberries or blueberries, but I recommend adjusting the amount of sugar according to the sweetness of the fruits.
- How can I make the cake less sweet? Reduce the amount of sugar in the vanilla cream and syrup.
- Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free? You can replace the flour with a gluten-free alternative, but check the label to ensure all ingredients are compliant.

Now that you've gone through all the steps, you're ready to enjoy a fraisier cake that is sure to impress! I hope this dessert brings smiles and joy to your home. Enjoy!