Summer Berry Cream Cake Recipes

BERRY CHANTILLY CAKE

Steps:

• Note: It's VERY important that your cold ingredients are at room temperature or slightly warmed. See video for tips. Heat oven to 335º F/168º C - 350º F/177º C. I tend to use lower setting to prevent my cakes from getting too dark on the outside before the inside is done baking.
• Place 4oz of the milk and oil in a separate bowl or cup and set aside
• Combine remaining milk, vanilla extract, almond extract and room temp eggs in a separate measuring cup and set aside
• Measure out dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) and place them into the stand mixer bowl.
• Attach the paddle to the mixer, and turn on the slowest speed (setting 1 on Kitchen Aid mixers). Slowly add chunks of your softened butter until it is all added. Let mix until batter resembles coarse sand.
• Add milk/oil mixture into the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed (speed 4 on my KitchenAid) and mix for 2 full minutes. Do not skip this step or your cake will not rise.
• Add in 1/3 of your milk/egg mixture. Repeat 2 more times until batter is just combined. Don't forget to scrape your bowl.
• I always start by baking for 25 minutes for 8" and smaller cakes and 30 minutes for 9" and larger cakes and then checking for doneness. If the cakes are still really jiggly, I add another 5 minutes. I check every 5 minutes after that until I'm close and then it's every 2 minutes. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs.
• Remove the cake pan from the oven and "tap" it lightly on the counter once to remove air from the cake and keep it from shrinking un-evenly.
• Place cakes on a cooling rack and press down the dome immediately with an oven mitt covered hand. After cakes have cooled for 10 minutes or the pans are cool enough to touch, flip the cakes over and remove from the pans onto the cooling racks to cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
• Once the cakes are chilled in the refrigerator (about an hour for this size, longer for larger cakes), tort, fill and crumb coat all at once. If you do not plan on crumb coating the same day, you can leave the wrapped cakes on the countertop. Chilling can dry out your cakes before they are iced, so avoid keeping them in the refrigerator longer than necessary. Cakes can be frozen in freezer bags for later use as well.
• Cream together the softened butter, cream cheese and mascarpone cheese together until smooth.
• Add in the powdered sugar and continue creaming until combined
• Whip the whipped cream to soft peaks. Add in the pudding mix to stabilize the whipped cream and whip until just combined. Add in the vanilla and almond extract. Peaks should be firm but not curdled. This happens quickly so watch your cream closely! Check out the stabilized whipped cream recipe to see other options to use besides instant pudding mix.
• Fold your cream cheese mixture and whipped cream together to make your frosting.
• Place the berries in a medium saucepan with 2.5 oz of sugar and bring to a simmer.
• Combine the cornstarch with the cold water to make a slurry. Pour the slurry into the bubbling berries.
• Cook a few minutes until the mixture is thick (1-2 minutes). Remove the berries from the heat and stir in the zest of one lemon and your lemon juice.
• Cool berry filling before using.

SUMMER BERRY CAKE WITH ROSE GERANIUM CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the bases of three 23cm cake tins. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the almond extract and lemon zest. Use a fork to whisk the yogurt with the eggs. With the mixer on a low speed, add the flour, ground almonds and 1/2 tsp salt to the butter and sugar, alternating with the yogurt and eggs.
• Divide the batter between the tins and bake for 35-40 mins or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, remove the parchment and leave to cool.
• Beat the mascarpone to loosen it. Whip the cream until it holds its shape. Combine the cream, mascarpone and lemon juice, then carefully add the icing sugar and flower water to taste.
• Assemble the cake just before serving. Toss the berries with the caster sugar. Spread the flattest cake with half the cream, then add half the fruit. Top with a second cake, spread with the rest of the cream and top with the rest of the fruit. Finish with the last cake, sift over icing sugar, then decorate with rose geranium petals and rose geranium leaves (as long as they're small).

FRESH BERRY CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper rounds (see #6 in Cake Baking Tips), then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans. I recommend using nonstick spray for greasing. I also recommend 8 inch cake pans as the 9 inch cakes will be pretty thin.
• Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the egg whites. Beat on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Then beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour in the milk until combined. Do not overmix. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
• Pour batter evenly into cake pans. Bake for around 22-24 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it is done. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before assembling.
• Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Medium peaks are between soft/loose peaks and stiff peaks and are the perfect consistency for decorating cakes. Use immediately or cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Yields about 4 cups.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. (Discard thin layer or crumble over ice cream.) Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly spread 1 heaping cup of whipped cream on top. I always use an icing spatula to spread. Arrange a single layer of mixed berries on top. Top with 2nd cake layer. Spread another 1 heaping cup of whipped cream on top, then a single layer of berries. Top with 3rd cake layer. Spread remaining whipped cream on top and garnish with fresh berries. Add a dusting of confectioners' sugar on the berries, if desired, and/or garnish with fresh florals.
• Chill the assembled cake, uncovered, for at least 2 hours and up to 1 day before slicing and serving. This time in the refrigerator helps the whipped cream thicken and makes cutting neater and easier. If chilling for longer than a few hours, you can carefully cover it with plastic wrap or use a cake carrier for storing in the refrigerator (what I always store my cakes in!). *Note that the berries could begin to release their juices if kept in the refrigerator for longer than 2 hours. For cutting, I recommend using your sharpest knife and cutting slowly.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

SUMMER BERRY CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• To prepare cake, first heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil or spray a 10-inch springform pan, and line bottom with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer at high speed, whisk eggs and sugar together until they triple in volume, becoming thick and airy. Add vanilla and lemon zest, and whisk to combine. Reduce speed to medium-low, and gradually add flour. Remove bowl from mixer, give a final fold with a spatula and pour into prepared cake pan. Bake until risen and light golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool pan on wire rack 10 minutes, and remove sides from pan.
• When cake is cool use a long, thin knife to split it into 2 thin disks. Place bottom half cut side up on a serving platter; place other half cut side up on a large piece of foil. In a blender, combine 2 cups strawberries, confectioners' sugar and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup purée, and divide remaining purée between two cake layers, pouring over cut sides and spreading with a rubber spatula.
• In a large bowl, combine reserved 1/4 cup purée with 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup red raspberries and currants or golden raspberries. Fold gently to mix.
• Whisk heavy cream with vanilla until thick but still soft. Spread half over cake sitting on serving dish. Top with fruit mixture, and place remaining cake half on top, cut side down. Spread remaining cream on top. Cut strawberries into halves or quarters, and place in a bowl. Add remaining 1/4 cup each of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, and toss to mix. Arrange berry mixture on top of cake, and dust with confectioners' sugar.

SUMMER ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients into mixing bowl and cook 4-6 min/90°C/speed 4, until slightly thickened. Transfer into a small jug and set aside to cool. Clean and dry mixing bowl.
• Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and line a springform cake tin (20 cm) with baking paper and set aside.
• Place shortbread biscuits and almonds into mixing bowl and mill 10 sec/speed 10. Transfer mixture into base of prepared tin then, using the back of a spoon, press down lightly. Bake for 10 minutes (180°C). Leave to cool completely (approx. 30 minutes).
• Insert butterfly whisk. Place sugar and eggs into mixing bowl and cook 6 min/60°C/speed 4. Transfer into a bowl and place into refrigerator to cool (approx. 30 minutes). Clean and dry mixing bowl and butterfly whisk.
• Re-insert butterfly whisk. Place cream and rose water into mixing bowl and whip 10-20 sec/speed 4, until soft peaks form, watching carefully through hole in mixing bowl lid to avoid over-whipping. Transfer cream into chilled reserved custard and using spatula, fold to combine. Add remaining Summer ice cream cake ingredients, excluding fresh raspberries and strawberries, to reserved custard mixture and fold through using spatula.
• Pour custard mixture into reserved cooled base and then pour half of the reserved Berry coulis over custard. Using a wooden skewer, stir berry coulis through custard mixture to create a marble effect. Place into freezer to set for a minimum 4 hours. Once frozen, decorate with raspberries, strawberries and extra grapes. Serve with remaining berry coulis.

SUMMER FRUIT SANGRIA CAKE RECIPE (VIDEO)

Steps:

• Prepare the sponge cake first. Preheat the oven to 350F and line 2, 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper; do not grease the sides.
• In a stand mixer bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Whisk on high speed for 7 to 9 minutes, until the eggs are thick, pale and almost white in color. Combine the dry ingredients in a sifter and add the dry ingredients in small batches to the batter. Use a spatula to fold the flour in gently but thoroughly, folding from the bottom of the bowl.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Bake in preheated oven for 19 to 21 minutes, until the layers are a rich, golden-brown. Remove from the oven and run a knife along the edge of the pans, to release the cake layers from the sides. Allow the cake layers to cool completely in the pans. Once cooled, use a long, serrated knife to split the layers in half, creating 4 layers total.
• For the frosting: Prepare the berry sauce first and allow it to cool before using in this recipe. A hot berry sauce will cause the whipped cream to melt. Combine the raspberries (or other berries) and sugar in a small saucepan. Use a spoon to crush the berries; if using strawberries, dice them before cooking. Bring the berries to a simmer over medium-high heat and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, until the berries are falling apart. Pour the resulting sauce into a fine mesh strainer arranged over a bowl. Use the back of a large spoon to press the sauce through the strainer, discarding any seeds and pulp. Allow the sauce to cool in the refrigerator.
• Next, prepare the whipped cream. Pour the chilled cream into a stand mixer bowl and add the confectioner's sugar. Whisk on medium speed first for a few minutes, then turn the speed up and whisk for about 3 to 4 minutes until stiff peaks form.
• In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese or mascarpone for a few minutes until it's smooth and creamy. Add the melted white chocolate, vanilla and salt. Mix again for a few minutes until well combined. Add the berry sauce last, along with red food coloring if desired. Beat again until the sauce is well-incorporated.
• VERY IMPORTANT: do not over-mix this step or the frosting will separate! Add the cheese and berry mixture to the whipped cream and whisk for 15 seconds, stop and scrape down the bowl, then mix again for a few more seconds. Use the frosting right away, or keep refrigerated.
• To assemble the cake, first soak each sponge cake layer generously with the sangria. I like to use a dispenser bottle to make this easy. Top the cake layer with fruit, arranging it in an even layer. Frost the bottom of the next cake layer, then invert it on to the fruit. Alternatively, you can add the frosting right onto the fruit but take care that the fruit doesn't slide around.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. If desired, add yellow and pink food coloring to the frosting to create a peach colored frosting. Add dollops of cream on top and garnish the cake with more fruit and berries. Place the cake into the refrigerator and allow it to set for at least an hour, or overnight.