A Cream and Berries Cake is a light, elegant dessert that combines a moist cake with luscious cream and fresh berries. It's perfect for summer or any occasion that calls for a refreshing and visually stunning treat. Here’s a recipe for a delectable Cream and Berries Cake:
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
For the Cream Filling and Topping:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Berries:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for sweetening berries)
For Garnish (optional):
- Mint leaves
- Additional berries
Instructions:
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Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream and milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Prepare the Cream Filling and Topping:
- Whip Cream: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
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Prepare the Berries:
- Sweeten Berries (Optional): If the berries are tart, you can lightly sweeten them by tossing with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to release their juices.
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Assemble the Cake:
- Layer Cake: If the cakes have domed on top, level them with a knife. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate or cake board.
- Frost with Cream: Spread a layer of whipped cream evenly over the first cake layer.
- Add Berries: Arrange a portion of the berries over the whipped cream.
- Add Second Layer: Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining whipped cream.
- Decorate: Garnish the top of the cake with the remaining berries. You can also add mint leaves for a fresh touch.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Chill: For best results, refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the cream to set.
- Slice and Serve: Slice and enjoy the light, fluffy cake with creamy layers and fresh berries.
This Cream and Berries Cake is a refreshing and elegant dessert that combines the lightness of cake with the richness of whipped cream and the bright flavors of fresh berries. Enjoy!
