Strawberries And Cream Cake

Hi, thank you for stopping by to look at this scrumptious Strawberries And Cream Cake! I hope the sight of it puts a smile on your face. Strawberries in Spring remind me of the promise of sunshine, picnics in the park and days at the beach. Ultimately I think that strawberries are a celebration of warm, sun drenched days, to be shared with friends and family.

Because this cake is so easy to make and looks so beautiful, it easily turns any occasion into a Feast! Since I found strawberries on special offer I baked this cake. Because, they were so sumptuous they deserved celebrating!

Sometimes during Summer when it is hot, too hot for cake (yes there is such a thing in my world), we eat strawberries as they are, warm from the sun, or refreshingly churned into the most delicious ice cream, see my Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream. While cooler days allow for the indulgence of cake, with vanilla whipped cream and ruby red strawberries.

Recipe : Strawberries And Cream Cake serves 8

For the cake:

225g/8oz Caster Sugar

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter – room temperature (plus a little extra for greasing the tins)

4 Large Free Range Eggs

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon 

225g/8oz Self Raising White Flour – alternatively use the same quantity of Plain White Flour plus 2tsp baking powder

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

For the filling:

450g/1lb Strawberries – hulled and sliced, save 1 pretty strawberry for the top

400ml/3/4 pint Double Cream

1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – alternatively use vanilla extract

1 tbsp Sugar – optional

Method : Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, 350F, gas mark 4

While using the ‘All in one’ technique for this cake, which usually involves placing all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisking, I have added an extra step.

Making and baking the sponge cakes

• First of all grease 2 x 7in (17.5cm) sandwich tins and line the base of each with baking parchment.
• Next add the butter, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until pale and creamy.
• Add the vanilla extract and eggs; Note – I always crack eggs into a separate bowl first, any shell is easily removed and one bad egg cannot spoil the cake batter. Also sift the self raising flour (or plain flour and baking powder) into the same bowl.
• Whisk all of the ingredients together until just combined and smooth. Take care not to overmix the cake batter, as this can result in a heavy sponge.

 

• Divide the mixture evenly between the 2 prepared sandwich tins. Smooth the top of the cake batter using the back of a spoon.

• Place the tins into the centre and lower parts of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
• The sponges are baked when they are golden and spring back when lightly pressed in the centre. Also an inserted skewer will come out clean.
• As soon as the cakes are baked remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in their tins.
• Turn the cakes out on to a cooling rack and leave to cool completely before filling and decorating. Carefully remove the baking parchment.

Filling and decorating the cake

• As soon as the cakes have cooled they can be filled and decorated.
• In a large bowl whisk together the cream, sugar and vanilla bean paste until the cream holds it’s shape. Also, take care not to overmix as this can cause the cream to split, creating butter!

• Place one cake sponge on to a plate or board, flat side up.
• Spoon half of the whipped cream on to the cake and spread so that it almost comes to the edge.
• Add a layer of sliced strawberries on to the cream.

• Now place the other cake on top, flat side facing down.
• Cover the top with the rest of the cream and decorate with sliced strawberries, placing a whole strawberry in the middle.

Place the finished cake into the fridge for 1 hour, as this allows the cream to firm up and makes slicing easier.

I serve this cake sliced and placed on my best china, with a cup of tea served in a cup and saucer. You may slice and serve this cake however you wish.

Both cake sponges can be made a day ahead, cool and store in an airtight container, using baking parchment to separate them. Yet the cake is best assembled on the day of eating.

As with all cream cakes they are at their best on the day they are made. Wrap any leftover cake in cling film, alternatively place in an airtight container and store in the fridge. Eat within 2 days of assembling.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Strawberries And Cream Cake you may also like these:

Summer Mixed Berry Sponge Cake 

Strawberry Topped Chocolate Heart Pavlova 

Double Strawberry Almond Muffins 

 

While I love baking, sharing my finished bakes gives me the most pleasure. Since, I delight in seeing the anticipation and a happy face as someone enjoys something I’ve made. Finally, remember, before slicing into this cake I urge you to take a photo! Because, when you look at this cake in the deepest, darkest, depths of an icy winter, it will remind you that sunny days are ahead. Hope is powerful, even when it is in the form of cake!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

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