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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Strawberry Cake

Finally it is the end of feb and here comes my valentines day cake...:) A cake that I had almost lost hope of been seen here..Now there is no point in saying about my love story as Valentines day is long passed..so we will stick to cake and the day it is baked...
I have been saying that feb was a terrible month for me..now why is never told...so here it is...
   The month begins with a busy schedule for hubby..which in turn means..early to office and late to home...That is its just me and son through out the day and sometimes night which kept me busy than my husband...:)Those days went on for a week and then hubby gets a dental surgery and a liquid diet for 5 days....Now i should say sick men are worst than small kids..;) To put it in single work I was totally messed up..with a son overactive, a hubby drowsy with medicines and awake with pain..cooking and rest of my routine..
Then comes the carpet changing day of the whole house...Luckily divided to 2 days..Now u got to imagine... Me and son in a room with all stuffs...Terrible!!!!
Now this very special Valentines day was in between this... I had no plans to do anything crazy..but then empty mind is devils workshop..:) Suddenly on 13th around 11 I feel that I need to bake..Started off with this cake as I already had a tub of fresh strawberries. Then start the frosting in between all this rush.. Halving the cake gets messed up as the cake slides and it gets cut slant.The layers get messed up...:) Then when i did the strawberry frosting I felt that it was less and decide to frost the layers with whipped cream...That was another disaster. As I used too much whipped cream the cake started to slip..Now there was a plus point ..the cake was not too sweet.. Then frosting I had a different plan..Anyways that dint work as I thought and then I went with this rose and chocolate bark idea.. Now if I would say this cake can also be mentioned as a disaster cake...:)
Texture and taste wise the cake and frosting is excellent...Its only my mistakes that made the cake a disaster..But then its  for my husband and kid who don't see how it is...For them it is only the taste that matters...And I got a thumbs up for that...That makes a happy me...:)


Fresh strawberries-1 cup
Sugar-1 to 2 tsp
Milk-1/4 cup
Egg-6 large whites
Vanilla-1 tbsp
Cake flour-2 nd 1/4 cup
Sugar-1nd 3/4 cup
Baking Powder-4 tsp
Salt-1 tsp
Unsalted Butter-12 tbsp
Pink food coloring- few drops

Method of preparation:
1. Wash fresh berries and chop them. Add sugar and set aside for about and hour or two until juicy. Place the berries in a food processor and puree it. You can use frozen berries too.
2. Use 3/4 th cup for cake and remaining for the frosting/as filling.
3.Preheat the oven to 350F and grease and dust two 8 or 9 inch pans.
4. In a small bowl combine puree, milk,egg, vanilla and mix with fork till well blended.
5. Mix flour,sugar, baking powder and salt to combine using a mixer.Add butter and continue beating Mix until combined and resembling moist crumbs.
6. Add liquids and beat at high for  about a minute or until evenly combined. Add food coloring and then beat to combine. Scrape the sides.
7. Divide batter into two prepared pans and smooth top.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 mins or until tooth pick comes out clean.Let cake rest in pan for 10 minutes and then on wire racks.Let cakes cool completely before frosting.


Strawberry frosting:

Butter-1 cup
Icing Sugar-6 cups
Vanilla-2 tsp
Strawberry puree- 1/3 cup

1. Mix butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl on low speed until light and fluffy.
2. Blend in strawberry puree and vanilla.
3. Add milk one tablespoon at a time, if desired consistency is not achieved. Keep covered.

Chocolate barks:
Bittersweet Chocolate pieces-4 squares
Parchment paper

1. Melt the chocolate and spread it on a strip of parchment paper. Let it set.You can keep it in freezer for 4 to 5 minutes. cut to pieces.

Whipped cream-as needed.

Assembling the cake:
1. Let the cakes cool. Then cut it to halves.
2. Spread the whipping cream/strawberry frosting.
3. Place the other half and then cover it with the strawberry frosting.
4. Using an open star tip pipe the roses on top.
5. Ten press the chocolate bark on the sides and keep in the refrigerator to set.


 Notes:
1. I used half the recipe for frosting and cake.
2. Baked a 6" X 2"cake. There was a bit more than 3/4th of pan for first time, so kept the remaining in fridge for the time the first batch was baking. Cooled the pan and then baked the remianing.
3. I have used whipped cream for the inner layer.

Linking  this to Recipes with fruit @ Zesty South Indian Kitchen & Valentines Day event @ Priya's Versatile Recipes.

57 comments:

  1. I was waiting to see the recipe for this cake.. I know how busy you were these days but still you managed to bake a beautiful cake for Valentine's day.. Cake looks awesome dear!!

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  2. Y u say this is disaster dear... Looks awesome...

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  3. I m drooling drooling...I wish i could get one slice.

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  4. WOwwwwwwww... You're amazing dear.. very delicious looking cake.. stunning photography :)

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  5. Never too late. And with something like this cake, you would have been forgiven for sure. The texture looks great and the pink is so appealing.

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  6. Cake looks yum! In between your tight schedule, baking such a delicious cake by midnight is really a piece of work! Roses look beautiful Reshmi!

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  7. Wow, this is purely awesome dear, just loved the cake. A perfect Valentine day Cake.

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  8. Wow awesome presentation of the lovely roses and the cake looks marvellous.

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  9. Wow! what a beautiful cake....looks delicious and soft..love those pink colour.

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  10. Wow, this cake looks yummy..

    Love the pink colour.

    -Raksha
    Raksha's Kitchen

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  11. Gorgeous cake!!! Nicely frosted..
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  12. very rich n elegant cake... adorable clicks Reshmi...

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  13. Loving the color of the cake. Looks so valentine-y. I would never say that it is a disaster...

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  14. This surely doesnt look like a disaster cake.looks gorgeous and i'd love to take a bite(a chunk) right away!gorgeous roses.

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  15. As I've already mentioned, a beautiful, elegant and fresh looking cake..

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  16. love the cake, rose icing and the lovely pink color...

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  17. Wow, awesome. Truly professional cake, loved the color combo, awesome,awesome and awesome.

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  18. Gorgeous looking cake Reshmi! Pretty pink :)

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  19. Wow....its a wonderful Valentine cake.....:-)

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  20. Amazing Reshmi, u really rock... Loved this pink cake soooooo much....

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  21. Me faints!!!!

    What a gorgeous, beautiful, excellent, mind blowing cake dear!!! Absolutely in love with it...may I have a slice or two, please?

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  22. Strawberry cake looks amazing Reshmi. Delicious and super tempting.

    today's recipe:
    http://sanolisrecipies.blogspot.in/2013/02/award-celebrating-with-carrot-beet.html

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  23. OMG, It looks Fabulous...Reshmi!! very well done preparation... Love the Color, Texture and Presentation...


    -Mythreyi
    Yum! Yum! Yum!

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  24. Perfect treat for valentine,adipoli,great job dear!

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  25. Woww.. looks super yummy and perfect.. awesome clicks too :)

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  26. Amazing dear!!!! Loved it :) It is best one will do it for sure one day !!! :)

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  27. Reshmi if this is a disaster cake for you,then I wouldn't mind all my cakes to be a disaster. All I see is one awesome cake which I am sure tasted equally wonderful.

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  28. This looks a perfect bake inspite of all odds happened there...Lovely color of cake,Yummy!!

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  29. ok, that looks professional done and store bought, amazing work !!!

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  30. Beautiful cake...FYI - The pic of the cake piece made me drool :)
    I hope your crazy days are over and your husband is feeling better.

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  31. such an awesome jaw dropping cake!! Loved the use of strawberry puree in the frosting

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  32. Loving your new header Resh and simply gorgeous cake, I think the rose bug has bit you ;-) very very cute I love the idea of a strawberry cake... happy that things are getting to normal for you...

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  33. Awesome cake and wonderful frosting...

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  34. We only worry about the texture, consistency,color, looks etc but the people at home never bother about it, all they need is the end product should be tasty thats it...Cake looks so Pretty & Gorgeous...lovely shots too..

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  35. so beautfiful, the cake is so perfect for V day! Hope ur days are better, and this time u should get some pampering:-)

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  36. super moist and yummy cake! love every bit of it

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  37. looks delicious and soft..love those pink colour...I wish i could get one slice.

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  38. Awesome cake dear, looks stunning. Drooling here. Luv the decoration and the luvly pink color.

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  39. One of my fav cake n frosting..looks pretty n yummmmmmmm

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  40. Very beautiful cake! Love the roses and the thin chocolate on the side.

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  41. Such a gorgeous cake, incredible frosting..Yea even i had the same experience with hubby's dental surgery few months back,imagine if we are sick how they can manage everything..Am sure they will be lost na.

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  42. The cake looks so pretty....love it...

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  43. Looks very delicious and wonderful....lovely design with pink roses and surrounded by thin chocolate.

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  44. Gorgeous looking cake.. Yummy..

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  45. this is so yummy..Come and participate in my event- Mela/Carnival Food
    http://www.merrytummy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/march-event-announcement-favorite.html

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  46. Loving all your cakes and the writing too, keep them coming! :)

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  47. A very pretty cake dear. Beautifully made...spongy and elegant!

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  48. OMG ! Just looking at it is a delight ! I can imagine the taste! Loved it1

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  49. That does not even look like a disaster cake.. if you hadnt mentioned I wouldnt have found out :) Looks so good and lovey clicks :) well done on the cake :)

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  50. No one who sees this cake will believe you had so many trials and errors! :D But its amazing of you to share the story of how it came about. Gives all of us novice bakers great hope that even when things go wrong, we can always try and salvage it:) The cake really does look gorgeous!

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  51. thanks for the recipe, but do you really mean 6 cups of the confectioner's sugar for the frosting?

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    Replies
    1. Nathalie: Thanks. Yes the sugar used is 6 cups as there is liquid used in frosting.The frosting is for 3 layered 8 inch cake.If you are looking for a reduced sugar frosting you can check this recipe. http://funwidfud.blogspot.com/2013/01/white-velvet-cake-with-whipped-vanilla.html.

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