Strawberry ‘Shortcake’ Layer Cake
A delightful twist on the classic dessert, this cake features light layers of vanilla sponge, fresh strawberries, and creamy mascarpone whipped cream, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
- 1.25 cups White Sugar
- 4 Large Eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
For the Strawberry Filling
- 1-2 cups Fresh Strawberries, for decorating the top of the cake
- 1.5 cups Hulled and Sliced Strawberries
- 1 tbsp White Sugar
- 0.5 tsp Vanilla
For the Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- 2 cups Heavy Cream, cold
- 6 oz Mascarpone
- 0.67 cup Confectioners Sugar
- 0.5 tsp Vanilla
Instructions
Make the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, and mix until fully combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
Macerate the Strawberries
- In a bowl, combine sliced strawberries with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Let them sit for about 15-30 minutes until they release their juices.
Make the Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- In a cold mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Add the mascarpone, confectioners sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overmix.
Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread a layer of mascarpone whipped cream on top, followed by a layer of the macerated strawberries.
- Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the process with the cream and strawberries.
- Decorate the top with fresh strawberries.
Notes
Ensure all your ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for better mixing. Don’t overmix the batter; mix just until combined to keep the cake light and fluffy. If you want a stronger strawberry flavor, blend some of the macerated strawberries into the cream layer. Garnish with mint leaves for a touch of color and freshness.