Monday, May 4, 2015

Strawberry Shortcake - Sponge cake layered with real strawberries and whipped cream

Happy Mother's day to my mom and all wonderful moms out there !!





Strawberry Shortcake has always been my favorite of fresh fruit cakes.They are delicate ,moist and just melt in your mouth. Layers of sponge cake are sandwiched between sweet delicious strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

Sponge cake  has no butter or oil in it.It gets its soft pillow like texture with the help of eggs .The egg yolks and whites are separated and whisked in a very high speed and the cake batter is folded gently.So be calm and gentle while handling this cake else you will end up with a big mess.Ya I learned my lesson a little late :)





Ingredients for the Sponge Cake:

All purpose flour - 1 cup

Granulated white sugar - 1 cup

Eggs - 6 large (yolks and white separated)

Baking powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt - 1/4 tsp

Vanilla extract - 1tsp

Water - 2 tblsp


Method :

Preheat oven to 350 F.

1. Pour egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in the mixer bowl of your stand mixer.Fix the paddle attachment and bowl .Switch on high speed until the mixture doubles up.Switch off and scrap off the sides.

2. Add vanilla and water and switch on the mixer again.Turn to high speed and whisk until you get a thick ribbon consistency.Switch off and pour the batter in a separate bowl.

3. In another bowl mix the cake flour,salt,baking powder using a wire whisk.

4. Wash the mixer bowl and fix it again on the mixer with the whisk attachment. Add the egg whites and whisk on high speed until its foamy. Add the remaining sugar and whisk until soft peak forms.Switch off the mixer and keep aside.

5. Add the dry ingredients in small batches to the yolk batter.Using a wire whisk gently mix them until they are well combined and form a thick batter.

6. Now take a flat end spatula and gently the fold egg whites into the batter.

7. Divide the batter into 2 parts so you get two layers for the cake.


8. Take a 9 inch round cake pan and do not grease it.If you grease the pan ,then the cake will shrink.Place parchment paper just on the bottom.Pour batter into the pan.

9. Bake for around 15 - 20 min or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.Remove cake from pan immediately and please be aware that the pan is really hot .Cool them completely on a wire rack.


10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the rest of the batter.After they have cooled completely wrap them individually in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.


Simple Syrup :

Take equal parts of sugar and water in a sauce pan and let it come to a boil in medium heat.When the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is clear,switch off the flame.Let it cool completely.This is the basic syrup used to moisten the cakes while layering.

Strawberry filling :

Cut strawberries into small chunks and let it soak in syrup for an hour in the refrigerator.
Strawberry filling inside the layers


Vanilla Whipped Cream Frosting :

Heavy Cream - 3 cups

Powdered Sugar - 4-5 tblsp

Wilton gel color (Rose) - 1-2 drops


Wash your mixer bowl and whisk attachment.Dry it and keep them in the refrigerator half hour before making the frosting.If your bowl,whisk and cream are cool you get the amazing stabilized whipped frosting.

Fix the whisk attachment to mixer.Add heavy cream to the bowl and start whipping on high speed.When the mixture starts to become thick,stop it add the powdered sugar and mix in slow speed until sugar is mixed.Then whip again in high speed until it comes thick and spreadable.





Layering the cake :

On a cake board , place one layer of cake.Brush the top lightly with the syrup.Add a big dollop of whipped cream.Spread the soaked small strawberry pieces.Add another layer of whipped cream.

Place second layer of cake crumb side down.Brush the top again with syrup.Frost the entire cake with frosting.


Decorate with fresh strawberries.Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.





11 comments:

  1. wow such a delicious looking cake

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  2. That looks awesome! Better than traditional strawberry shortcake, even :)

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  3. The cake looks awesome,lovely color and presentation :)

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  4. I just made this and it looks so good !! Thanks :-)

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  5. I just love the way you are explaining every step Laavy..!

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  6. Mmmmmm I love fruity baked goods. I'm certainly loving the sound of these strawberry shortcake!

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