Fresh strawberry cake with strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream
This summery cake is one you will fall in love with. The light and fluffy fresh strawberry cake is then topped with a layer of fresh strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream!
Prep Time55mins
Cook Time25mins
Total Time1hr20mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cake
Servings: 12
Author: Eva Bakes
Ingredients
Strawberry cake
24ouncesfresh strawberriesyou can use frozen too; make sure you thaw and hull them
1-2teaspoonsgranulated sugaroptional
1/4cupmilkat room temperature
4large eggs
1Tablespoonvanilla extract
2 and 1/4cupscake flourI used all-purpose flour, plus 2 Tbsp of cornstarch
1 and 3/4cupsgranulated sugar
4teaspoonsbaking powder
1teaspoonsalt
12Tablespoons (1 and 1/2 sticks)unsalted buttersoftened (not melted)
Strawberry Swiss meringue buttercream
4ouncesegg whites3-4 large egg whites or about 1/2 cups
1 and 1/2cupssgranulated sugar
1poundunsalted butterroom temperature
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
Instructions
Make the cake
Lightly toss the strawberries to remove excess liquid. Discard the liquid. Put strawberries in a food processor or blender and puree. (You could use frozen strawberries if you don’t have a fresh berries)Reserve 3/4 cup puree for the cake. Use leftover puree to fill the cake or add into the frosting, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare two 8 inch round pans by spraying inside with baking spray or coating with flour.
In small bowl, combine puree, milk, egg, vanilla and mix with fork until well blended. In bowl of stand mixer, add sifted flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix to combine. Continue beating at slow speed and add butter. Mix until combined and resembling moist crumbs.
Add liquids and beat at medium speed for about 1 minute or until full and evenly combined. Stop mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl and hand beat for 30 more seconds. Divide the batter evenly among the pans and smooth tops.
Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (time will vary). Let cakes rest in pan for about 10 minutes and turn out onto wire racks. Let cakes cool completely (about 2 hours).
Make the buttercream
Lightly whisk egg whites and sugar together over simmering water in a double boiler until egg-white mixture is hot to touch or a candy thermometer reads 140°F (60°C).
Pour hot egg whites into a room-temperature bowl and whip at medium high with a wire whip, until double in volume and achieve stiff peaks. Meanwhile cut the butter into 2-inch pieces. (The butter should be slightly moist on the outside but cold inside.)
On your mixer, remove the whip and attach the paddle. Turn mixer on and add the butter piece by piece into the bowl until thoroughly mixed.
Add a few tablespoons of the strawberry puree into the frosting until the color is to your liking (I added about 3-4 Tablespoons).
Notes
Icing, if not being used immediately, can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost completely (several hours) and rewhip before using.Sources: Cake adapted from Confections of a Foodie Bride, who it adapted from Cook’s Illustrated and Good Things Catered. Frosting adapted from The Novice Chef.