Strawberry Dream Cake America's Test Kitchen
If you love strawberries and cake, then you're going to fall in love with the Strawberry Dream Cake from America's Test Kitchen. This amazing cake is a true masterpiece, with layers of moist, fluffy cake filled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, and topped with a rich, creamy frosting. It's the perfect dessert for any occasion, from birthdays to weddings to family gatherings.
The Inspiration Behind the Strawberry Dream Cake
The Strawberry Dream Cake was created by the talented chefs at America's Test Kitchen. They wanted to create a cake that was both delicious and visually stunning, and they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The cake is a beautiful shade of pink, thanks to the pureed strawberries that are mixed into the batter. And the layers of whipped cream and fresh strawberries give the cake a light, refreshing flavor that's perfect for summer.
The Recipe for Strawberry Dream Cake
If you want to make your own Strawberry Dream Cake, here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup pureed fresh strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in the pureed strawberries and vanilla extract.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely before removing them from the pans.
- In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream and confectioner's sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of whipped cream over the top. Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the whipped cream.
- Place the second cake layer on top of the strawberries and repeat the process with the whipped cream and strawberries.
- Spread a layer of whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake to create a smooth surface.
- Garnish the top of the cake with additional sliced strawberries.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving.
Tips for Making the Perfect Strawberry Dream Cake
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Strawberry Dream Cake:
- Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help ensure that your cake is light and fluffy.
- Use pureed fresh strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries can be used in a pinch, but they won't have the same fresh flavor as fresh strawberries.
- Be careful not to overmix your batter. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake.
- Make sure your whipped cream is chilled before you start whipping it. This will help the cream whip up faster and hold its shape better.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving. This will help the layers set and make the cake easier to slice.
Conclusion
The Strawberry Dream Cake from America's Test Kitchen is a truly amazing dessert that's perfect for any occasion. With its light, fluffy cake layers, fresh strawberries and whipped cream, and rich, creamy frosting, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. If you're a fan of strawberries and cake, you owe it to yourself to give this recipe a try.