A Delightful Blend of Sweet and Tart
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and quartered
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and pureed
Instructions:
Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold in the quartered strawberries.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool completely in the pans before frosting.
Prepare the Frosting:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Beat in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add Strawberry Puree: Gradually stir in the strawberry puree until the desired color and sweetness are achieved.
Assemble the Cake:
- Level Cakes: Once cooled, level the tops of the cakes if necessary.
- Frost and Fill: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Frost the top with a layer of frosting. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate: Decorate the cake with additional fresh strawberries, chocolate shavings, or sprinkles.
Tips for the Perfect Strawberry Cake:
- Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries: Fresh strawberries will provide a more intense flavor, while frozen strawberries can be a convenient option.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Cool Completely: Make sure the cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter frosting, add more powdered sugar. For a tarter flavor, add more strawberry puree.
Enjoy this delicious and visually appealing strawberry cake!