Classic French Strawberry Cake – Fresh, Light, and Packed with Flavor

If you want to taste the richness of a classic, popular dessert, this French strawberry cake recipe is just it. This well-known dessert consists of a perfect combination of moist genoise cake, sweet strawberry jam, and fresh strawberries, topped with lightly whipped cream, slightly sweetened to balance out the tartness of strawberries.

Classic French Strawberry Cake

Ingredients:

• 251 gm flour
• 202 gm sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 2 egg whites
• 3 egg yolks
• 121 ml milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 253 gm butter
• 254 ml cream
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Strawberry jam (fresh or store-bought)
• Strawberries (pitted and halved)
• Caster sugar (for garnish

Method:

1. First, you have to preheat your oven to 180°C, and grease and flour three round cake pans.
2. Now you should whisk all-purpose flour, granulated sugar and baking powder together in a medium-sized bowl until everything is well incorporated.
3. Using an electric mixer, you need to beat egg whites till stiff peaks are formed.
4. In another bowl, you should whisk together egg yolks, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract.
5. Next, gradually add the dry ingredients to the yolk mixture, and whisk it again until the concoction is smooth and has no lumps whatsoever.
6. After that, you have to fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture until no more white streaks remain.
7. Then, you need to divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans, and smooth out the tops. Tap the pans gently onto the kitchen countertop to get rid of any excess air bubbles in the batter.
8. Now, you have to bake them for 20 to 25 minutes.
9. Then, you need to remove the cakes from the oven, let them cool in the pans for 5 minutes, and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool off completely.
10. As soon as the cakes are cooled down completely, you can begin building your final dish, and place one of the cakes on a serving plate or cake stand.
11. After that, you can spread a layer of strawberry jam over the top of the cake. Here, you can use store bought jam, or you make your own by using fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and a little water.
12. Then, you need to place a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the jam.
13. Now, you have to repeat this process with the remaining two cakes, creating a multi decker cake with layers of cake, jam, and strawberries.
14. In a large mixer bowl, you need to beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form and beat in granulated sugar and pure vanilla extract.
15. You need to mix in sugar and vanilla to it.
16. Then, you should spread the whipped cream over the cake, creating a smooth and creamy layer.
17. Next, you have to decorate the cake with extra sliced strawberries, sprinkle granulated sugar over the top, and serve.

Here are some handy tips to make the best version of the cake:

To add an extra layer of flavor to your cake, you can try adding a teaspoon of Grand Marnier or Cognac to the batter. To make your cake more visually appealing, you should try arranging sliced strawberries in an abstract pattern on top of dollops of whipped cream. You can even use a wide paintbrush to brush short strokes of buttercream onto the cake. To make the pattern more discernable, use food coloring to make small batches of different colored whipped cream. Stud corresponding Cadbury gems candies onto the center of each brush stroke.

Using whipped cream in your cake will bring a creamy texture and a beautiful, elegant appearance to the dish. The whipped cream would also bring in a nice balance to the sweetness of the cake because it presents an attractive contrast to the richness and fruity flavor of the strawberries.

French baking is a delicate art that requires patience, skill, and attention to the smallest details. From the delicate balance of ingredients to the precise techniques used in assembling the cake itself, every step in the process requires deep and thorough knowledge of the craft. Whether you are an experienced pastry chef or an amateur in the kitchen, French baking skills are ammunition one must load up on.

This classic French strawberry cake recipe is a timeless dessert delight that is sure to impress you with its delicate layers, moist texture, and sweet, fruity flavors. It's a cake that can be prepared for any occasion - whether you're planning to celebrate a special birthday, hosting dinner for guests, or simply want to have something delicious with your family and friends.