Get ready to embark on a delightful culinary journey that will transform your baking skills and impress everyone at your next gathering! This Fresh Strawberry Ombre Cake isn't just a dessert—it's a stunning work of art that blends the vibrant colors of strawberries with a mouthwatering, velvety texture that will make your taste buds dance. Imagine cutting into a cake that reveals a mesmerizing gradient of pink layers, each bite promising an explosion of fresh strawberry flavor and heavenly cream. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe will elevate your dessert game and create a showstopping centerpiece that's as delicious as it is beautiful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, pureed
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans by greasing them and lining with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Divide the cake batter into three equal portions, and gradually add strawberry puree to each portion, creating different intensities of pink color - light, medium, and dark.
- Pour each colored batter into a prepared cake pan, ensuring smooth tops.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove cakes from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form for frosting and between cake layers.
- Once cooled, layer the cakes from darkest to lightest, spreading whipped cream between each layer.
- Frost the entire cake with remaining whipped cream, creating a smooth ombre effect from dark to light pink.
- Garnish with fresh strawberry slices and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Don't overmix the batter: Mix just until ingredients are combined to prevent a tough cake.
- For the perfect ombre effect, use graduated amounts of strawberry puree in each layer.
- Chill your mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream for more stable peaks.
- Use a kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurements to ensure consistent results.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent cream from melting.
- For an extra flavor boost, add a splash of strawberry extract to enhance the fruity notes.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 95mg
