Fraisier Cake is a quintessential French dessert renowned for its elegance and refreshing flavors. This sophisticated cake is a beautiful celebration of strawberries, combining light, airy sponge cake with creamy pastry cream and fresh fruit.
At the heart of Fraisier Cake is the genoise sponge, a delicately textured cake that forms a soft, flavorful base. This sponge is light and moist, providing a perfect backdrop for the rich layers that follow. Each bite reveals a delightful balance between the cake’s subtle sweetness and the creamy, luscious filling.
The star of the Fraisier Cake is its vibrant strawberry filling. Fresh strawberries are macerated to release their natural juices and intensify their flavor. This filling is layered between the sponge and pastry cream, ensuring that every mouthful bursts with the fruity freshness of ripe strawberries. The strawberries not only add a beautiful splash of color but also infuse the cake with their delightful, tangy sweetness.
The pastry cream, rich and velvety, is the creamy counterpart to the fruit and sponge. It’s made with a blend of milk, sugar, and egg yolks, creating a custard-like texture that complements the light sponge and sweet strawberries. This cream adds a luxurious layer of richness, enhancing the overall depth of flavor in the cake.
Fraisier Cake is often finished with a simple yet elegant presentation. The top of the cake is adorned with additional fresh strawberries, which add a final touch of sophistication and a hint of natural sweetness. The cake is typically chilled to allow the flavors to meld together, resulting in a dessert that is both refreshing and indulgent.
This cake is a perfect choice for special occasions, from summer gatherings to elegant celebrations. Its combination of light sponge, creamy filling, and fresh fruit creates a dessert that is both visually stunning and deliciously satisfying. Fraisier Cake embodies the art of French patisserie, offering a refined and delightful experience that highlights the beauty and flavor of fresh strawberries.
Ingredients:
- For the Genoise Sponge:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- For the Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- For the Pastry Cream:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Syrup:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon strawberry liqueur or vanilla extract (optional)
- For the Assembly:
- Fresh strawberries, sliced (for decoration)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Genoise Sponge:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and thick, about 5 minutes.
- Sift the flour and salt together, then gently fold into the egg mixture.
- Carefully fold in the melted butter and vanilla extract.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Strawberry Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes to macerate.
- Prepare the Pastry Cream:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until just boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth.
- Gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
- Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface, and refrigerate until cool.
- Prepare the Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- If using, stir in the strawberry liqueur or vanilla extract. Let cool.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Slice the cooled genoise sponge horizontally into two layers.
- Place one layer of sponge in the bottom of a cake ring or springform pan.
- Brush with half of the syrup.
- Spread a layer of pastry cream over the sponge.
- Arrange a layer of macerated strawberries on top of the pastry cream.
- Place the second sponge layer on top and brush with the remaining syrup.
- Spread the remaining pastry cream over the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate with fresh strawberry slices and whipped cream if desired.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 2 hours to set before serving.
Tips:
- For a more intense strawberry flavor, consider adding a bit of strawberry jam to the macerated strawberries.
- Ensure the pastry cream is completely cool before spreading it on the cake to avoid melting the sponge.
- Use a serrated knife to slice the genoise sponge for cleaner layers.
Fraisier Cake is a classic French dessert that showcases the beauty of fresh strawberries in a light and elegant form. With its layers of airy genoise sponge, creamy pastry cream, and vibrant strawberry filling, this cake offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The fresh strawberry decoration adds a touch of sophistication, making it a perfect choice for special occasions or as a refined dessert to impress your guests.
