Strawberry cake with chocolate glaze

Strawberry Cake with Chocolate Glaze

In a world full of desserts, the strawberry cake with chocolate glaze stands out for its delicious combination of flavors and textures. It is the perfect dessert for a special weekend, a wonderful way to celebrate the sun and the last days of the fresh strawberry season. Whether you want to impress your guests or indulge yourself, this recipe will bring a smile to your face!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 10

Ingredients

For the base:
- 4 fresh eggs
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 tablespoons of oil
- 4 tablespoons of sparkling water
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa (for an intense note)
- 8-10 tablespoons of flour

For the cream:
- 250 g of mascarpone (a creamy ingredient that will give it a perfect taste)
- 250 g of cottage cheese (choose a fresh and fine cheese)
- 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of vanilla-flavored powdered sugar
- 1 vanilla essence
- One cup of fresh strawberries (about 200 g)
- Half a cup of strawberry juice (made from fresh blended and strained strawberries)

For the glaze:
- 150 ml of liquid cream
- 160 g of dark chocolate (choose a quality chocolate for an intense flavor)
- 1 tablespoon of butter

Step by step

Step 1: Preparing the base

1. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you obtain a fluffy, light-colored foam. This step is essential to incorporate the air needed for a fluffy base.
2. Add the oil and sparkling water, mixing gently to avoid losing air from the mixture.
3. Incorporate the baking powder, vanilla essence, and gradually the flour. Mix until you obtain a homogeneous dough.
4. Take half of this mixture and mix it with the cocoa to obtain a chocolate base.

Step 2: Baking the bases

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a round baking pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Pour the white mixture (without cocoa) into the pan and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until you pass the toothpick test (if it comes out clean, the base is ready).
3. After the white base has baked, remove it from the oven and repeat the process with the cocoa mixture. Let both bases cool.

Step 3: Preparing the cream

1. In another bowl, mix the mascarpone with the cottage cheese until you obtain a smooth and creamy mixture.
2. Add the plain powdered sugar, vanilla-flavored powdered sugar, and vanilla essence. Mix again until all ingredients are perfectly integrated.

Step 4: Preparing the glaze

1. In a saucepan, place the liquid cream, butter, and broken chocolate. Set the saucepan over low heat and stir constantly until the chocolate melts and the mixture becomes homogeneous and has a consistency similar to sour cream.
2. Turn off the heat and let the glaze cool slightly, so it is warm but not hot.

Step 5: Assembling the cake

1. Cut each base in half, resulting in four discs (two white and two cocoa).
2. Line a detachable pan with plastic wrap and place the first layer of base (white with cocoa).
3. Soak with strawberry juice, then spread half of the cream. Place the slices of strawberries over the cream, then add the remaining cream.
4. Place the second layer of base, making sure to alternate the colors (if the bottom base is white, the top should be cocoa, and vice versa).
5. Soak again and refrigerate the cake for about 30 minutes to set.

Step 6: Glazing

1. Remove the cake from the pan and place it on a stand. Place a tray underneath to catch any excess glaze.
2. Pour the warm glaze over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Using a spoon, you can also add glaze on top of the cake for an even appearance.
3. Decorate with a few fresh strawberries, then let the cake chill to set the glaze.

Serving and suggestions

This strawberry cake with chocolate glaze is perfect served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of aromatic coffee. It can also be accompanied by a glass of sweet wine to highlight the delicious flavors of the strawberries.

Nutritional information

Each serving of cake contains approximately 350 calories, and due to its ingredients, it provides a good source of protein and calcium from the cottage cheese and mascarpone. Strawberries, on the other hand, bring vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, being a healthy ingredient that improves digestion.

Possible variations

- For a refreshing note, you can add a few mint leaves to the cream or as decoration.
- If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of sugar in the cream.
- For an even more intense flavor, you can add a bit of rum or orange liqueur to the cheese cream.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but the taste will not be as intense as that of fresh ones. Make sure to thaw and drain them well.

2. How can I store the cake?
Keep it in a closed container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

3. Can the cake be frozen?
Yes, but it is recommended to freeze it without the glaze. The glaze may undergo texture changes when thawed.

I hope this strawberry cake with chocolate glaze brings you much joy and unforgettable moments with your loved ones! Enjoy!