I think I have a sweet sense like some of the characters do in The Girl Who Chased The Moon. I love to bake cakes and share them.
When my partner was a kid his favorite treat was Strawberry Cream Cake from Canter's Delicatessen in West Hollywood. I decided to surprise him with one for his birthday a few weeks ago.
For this recipe I used the Cook's Illustrated version. Unfortunately, it's copyrighted and I can't publish it here. With three pages of instructions it would take up too much room anyway. Yikes! I about gave up when I saw how much work was involved but decided to take on the challenge.
My first stumbling block was running out of cake flour. I used the Internet to find a solution. The magic word was "cornstarch." Place 1/4 cup in a 2 cup measure and then add flour.
The next challenge was the cake pan. I had the required 9 inch. The problem was it fell short of the 2 inch height. This would be an issue because the single layer needed to be cut into three. For a quick fix I split the batter between three 9 inch pans.
In addition to the cake, I had to make a strawberry reduction for the filling, position cut strawberries between layers, and make whipped cream.
The cake didn't last long and was gone in a few days. The memory of it remains. Do you have a favorite summer cake?
Damn, that looks good!
ReplyDeleteNow that is what I call a show-stopper dessert!!
ReplyDeleteI received the mystery and am anxious to read it sometime this summer.
Hi Rob,
ReplyDeletethat looks delicious. What is Cook's Illustrated? a book/magazine/blog?
As for our fav cake in the summer, that would be my birthday cake. I don't generally bake in the summer as its so hot, so that if I do get a birthday cake I am so thrilled with it. Lemon would be my fav summer flavour.
that looks SO good! We're busy eating blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries here!
ReplyDeleteThe big question is: What did your partner think? Did it compare to his memories?
ReplyDeleteRob, you are an incredibly sweet person!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer dessert is a glazed strawberry pie, but I have recently concocted a combo using mango sorbet and coconut gelato. Add some Amaretti cookies to that and yum.
Your partner is very lucky!
OMG...looks so fabulous, and you didn't invite us??? LOL
ReplyDeleteThe work was worth it -- it looks stunning! I might have to make that cake myself. I'll plan to buy strawberries at the farmers market this week.
ReplyDeleteSorry I was so late stopping by -- I was out of town last week.
I have an award for you at http://helensbookblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunshine-award.html
ReplyDeleteHelen: Thanks for the award!
ReplyDeleteBeth F: I love farmers markets too. The strawberries I used were from Big Island.
Diane: Next time you're on island stop by for cake and hand roasted coffee.
NancyO: Yum! I love sorbet and gelato with tropical fruits.
Thomas: He loved the cake and the memories it brought back.
Heather: Cooks Illustrated is a magazine and on-line website. All of their recipes are tested and include notes. Let me know if you decide to use this resource.
Molly: I love theater talk as a former thespian.
Elizabeth: It really was that good.
Aloha from Rob
HI Rob,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply. I just went to the magazine site and decided to treat myself and my family to a year's subscription. It will be fun to try more new recipes. thanks again. It should arrive in ample time for me to find a scrumptious recipe for my birthday cake.
Wow, that looks scrumptious! This wkend I made a strawberry chiffon pie-- gelatin/sourcream base-- no baking. Very light and refreshing in our unusually hot Okie weather.
ReplyDeleteHubby worked in Hollywood in the late 70s and raves about Canter's pastrami-- I must ask him about this cake!
Love your cooking posts!
Looks absolutely delicious.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite dessert! Yummy!
ReplyDeleteHeavy sigh, I'm on a diet.