A Cover to Covet
Written for Just Baking on the Well Fed Network
I know you all have been there. You are standing in the checkout lane of a grocery store and a magazine photo catches your eye. Maybe it is one with the current celebrity gossip. Maybe you are more of the House and Garden type and spot a cover with a gorgeous room makeover. If you are like me, it is the food magazines that are the most tempting. I will see a cover photo of something delectable and fight with myself not to pick up the magazine to purchase it.
A few weeks ago my friend Kathy called with a request. She had purchased a copy of Family Circle magazine while she was at the grocery store simply because on the front cover was a photo of a cake that was entirely to tempting to go without. Her request, since she claims to not be a baker, was for me to make this dessert. Several days later she stopped by with the recipe including the photo and I could tell right away why her taste buds were interested in having a bite of this treat. Before me was a four layer white cake stacked with cream and strawberries in the middle. Since I love strawberries in almost any form, I told her I was up to the task.
This cake makes a beautiful presentation. The layer after layer of summer goodness is just too good to pass up. I was surprised at how mild the flavor was though. I am a sweet and sugary sweets girl, and this cake was not nearly as sweet as I would have liked. Kathy, my family and some other neighbors loved the cake, so I would call it a hit.
Berries ‘n’ Cream Cake
| Ingredients |
| 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour |
| 1 cup granulated sugar |
| 2 teaspoons baking powder |
| 3/4 teaspoon salt |
| 1/3 cup vegetable oil |
| 4 large eggs, separated |
| 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract |
| 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice |
| 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar |
| 2 quarts strawberries, rinsed |
| 1/4 cup strawberry jelly, melted |
| Filling: |
| 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin |
| 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened |
| 3 tablespoons sugar |
| 2 cups heavy cream |
| Directions |
| 1. Heat oven to 325° F. Coat the bottoms of two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line with waxed paper; coat paper. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In second bowl, whisk oil, egg yolks, 1/2 cup cold water, vanilla and lemon juice. Let sit 3 minutes to thicken, then stir slightly thickened oil mixture into flour mixture until blended. Set aside. |
| 2. In large, clean bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed, until foamy. Increase speed to high; beat until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold one-third of the whites into flour mixture; then fold in remaining whites. |
| 3. Divide batter between prepared pans, gently smoothing tops. |
| 4. Bake cakes at 325° F for 30 minutes or until cakes spring back when lightly pressed. Run a thin knife around edge of pans to release cakes. Invert cakes onto racks; tap to release from pans. Remove waxed paper; return to right-side up. Let cakes cool completely. |
| 5. Slice one of the cake layers in half. Repeat with second layer, for a total of 4 layers. |
| 6. Slice 6 cups of the berries and toss in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of the melted jelly. Place one cake layer on pedestal. Top with 1-1/4 cups Filling (recipe follows). Layer with 3/4 cup of the sliced berries. Repeat twice more, then top with final cake layer. Cut remaining berries in half. Toss with remaining 2 Tablespoons jelly. Spread remaining Filling on top of cake. Top with strawberries and serve. |
| 7.Berries ‘N’ Cream Filling: Once cakes have cooled, combine gelatin and 2 tablespoons cool water in a bowl. Let stand 3 minutes. Microwave on HIGH for 15 seconds or until melted. Stir until smooth and then cool slightly. |
| 8. Combine cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add cream; continue to beat until very foamy. While beating, add gelatin in a thin stream. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Use immediately to fill layers of cake; do not prepare ahead of time. |
calories: 439
total fat: 29g
saturated fat: 14g
cholesterol: 146mg
sodium: 306mg
carbohydrate: 39g
fiber: 2g
protein: 7g
Kristen
28 Comments
Reader Comments (28)
Joking aside: great job, this is just gorgeous!