Strawberry cake with mint leaves

Strawberry cake is a quick and simple dessert, ideal for bringing a touch of freshness to hot summer days or impressing guests at a party. This delicious recipe combines moist cocoa sponge cake with a fine vanilla cream, topped with juicy strawberries. Let's get started!

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

Ingredients
For the sponge cake:
- 5 eggs
- 5 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- A pinch of salt

For the cream:
- 3 eggs
- 500 ml milk
- 12 tablespoons sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
- A pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 75 g butter (soft)

For decoration:
- 500 g fresh strawberries
- Mint leaves
- Powdered sugar (for decoration)

Preparation instructions

1. Preparing the sponge cake:
- Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Prepare a baking tray (about 30x20 cm) by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and start beating them with a mixer until you achieve a firm foam.
- While continuing to mix, gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar until the mixture becomes shiny and firm.
- In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with a pinch of salt. Once thickened, gently fold them into the beaten egg whites.
- Sift the flour and cocoa over the mixture, gently folding with a spatula to avoid losing air.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tray and level it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the tray.

2. Preparing the cream:
- In a saucepan, whisk the 3 eggs with the sugar using a whisk. Add the flour and a pinch of salt, mixing well.
- Pour in the warm milk (not boiling) and add the split vanilla pod. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cream thickens.
- Once thickened, remove the vanilla pod and incorporate the soft butter. Allow the cream to cool completely.

3. Assembling the cake:
- Once the sponge cake has cooled, cut it into two equal layers. Place the first layer on a platter and pour the vanilla cream on top, smoothing it with a spatula.
- Cover with the second layer of sponge cake. Decorate with halved strawberries, arranging them nicely on top.
- For a shiny finish, you can dissolve a packet of red gelatin according to the package instructions and pour it over the strawberries. This will help keep the strawberries fresh and add an appetizing shine.

4. Serving:
- Let the cake chill for 2-3 hours to set well. Before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint leaves for an extra touch of flavor and color.

Helpful tips
- If you don't have strawberries, you can experiment with other seasonal fruits like raspberries or peaches to create a personalized version of this dessert.
- For a more intense flavor, add a few drops of vanilla essence to the vanilla cream.
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a more stable foam for the egg whites.

Strawberry cake is not only a delicious dessert but also a perfect way to celebrate warm summers. Find your inspiration in this recipe and enjoy every slice full of freshness!