Who doesn’t love a delicious, creamy cake dessert? If you’re a fan of cakes with a fresh fruity twist, then you’re going to adore this homemade strawberry and cream gateau recipe.
This cake is the epitome of elegance, featuring layers of soft, fluffy sponge cake paired with sweet, rich heavy cream and the juiciest, ripest strawberries. It’s perfect for any special occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a summer celebration, or just a sweet treat for yourself and your loved ones.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through every step of creating your very own strawberry gateau from scratch, complete with helpful tips, tricks, and variations to suit your taste.
We’ll show you how to make this cake using a good cake pan, the best whipping cream, and the freshest berries. So, get ready to impress your friends and family with a cake that tastes as amazing as it looks!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry and Cream Gateau Recipe
There are so many reasons to fall in love with this gateau strawberry masterpiece. Not only does it boast a stunning visual appeal, but the balance of textures and flavors makes it a joy to eat. Here are just a few reasons why this recipe will become your new favorite:
- Fruity Freshness: The fresh strawberry brings a burst of vibrant flavor and a juicy sweetness that complements the heavy cream beautifully.
- Light and Fluffy: The sponge cake is light as air, making each bite melt in your mouth.
- Customizable: Whether you want to add a layer of strawberry meringue gateau or make this cake a more decadent treat with extra layers of whipping cream, you can adjust the recipe to your personal taste.
- Simple and Elegant: Despite its elegant appearance, this cake is surprisingly simple to make. You’ll impress everyone with your baking skills, even if you’re a beginner — all you need is a good cake pan and the right ingredients to make the cake shine.
So, let’s dive into how you can recreate this strawberry gateau cake in the comfort of your own kitchen!
Recipe Overview
Before we get started, here’s a quick overview of the recipe to give you an idea of what’s to come:
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 8-10
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate (but don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of tips to help you along!)
- Dietary Information: This recipe contains dairy and eggs, so it’s not suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets unless substitutions are made.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious strawberry meringue gateau:
For the Sponge Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup milk, at room temperature
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of your strawberries)
For the Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream (double cream in the UK), chilled
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Extra fresh strawberries for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves (optional, for a decorative touch)
Equipment You’ll Need
- 8-inch round cake pan
- Electric mixer or stand mixer (for whipping the cream)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Cake stand or serving platter
- Knife for slicing the strawberries
- Cooling rack (for the cake)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Sponge Cake
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your 8-inch round cake pan, ensuring it’s well-prepared for the cake batter. You can also line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together using an electric mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes. The mixture should become thick, pale, and fluffy. This is what will give your sponge cake its light, airy texture.
Once the eggs and sugar have been whipped, gently fold in the flour, salt, and vanilla extract. Make sure to do this carefully so as not to deflate the batter. Next, add the melted butter and milk, and gently incorporate them into the batter.
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Make this cake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the cake pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Strawberry Filling
While the cake is cooling, slice your fresh strawberries. If they’re a bit tart, sprinkle the slices with a tablespoon of sugar to help release their juices and enhance their sweetness. Set them aside to let the flavors mingle — these juicy strawberries will be the perfect complement to the fluffy sponge and rich whipping cream when you make this cake.
3. Make the Whipped Cream
To make the cream, pour the chilled heavy cream into a mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form. For the best texture in your fluffy whipping cream, be careful not to over-whip, as this can turn the heavy cream into butter.
4. Assemble the Strawberry and Cream Gateau
Once the cake has cooled completely, use a serrated knife to slice it into two or three even layers, depending on how many layers you prefer. Place the first layer of cake on your serving platter or back into the cake pan if you prefer a neater build.
Spread a generous layer of whipping cream over the top, followed by a layer of sliced strawberries. Repeat with the next layer(s) of cake, whipping cream, and strawberries, building up the layers.
Once you’ve assembled all the layers, cover the top with the remaining whipping cream. For an elegant finish, decorate the top with fresh strawberry halves and a few mint leaves for a pop of color. The light, fluffy texture of the cream and sponge layers makes it irresistible — a perfect reason to make this cake for your next special occasion.
Pro Tips for Success
- Cool the cake completely: Ensure the sponge cake is completely cool before you assemble it. If the cake is still warm, the whipped cream might melt and turn runny, affecting the fluffy texture you want when you make this cake.
- Use room-temperature ingredients: For best results, use room-temperature eggs, butter, and milk when making the sponge cake. This helps the ingredients blend together more easily, creating a soft, fluffy texture.
- Whip the cream just right: When whipping the heavy cream, keep an eye on it. Over-whipping can turn it into butter, so stop when stiff peaks form to get perfectly fluffy whipping cream.
- Add a hint of lemon zest: For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the heavy cream mixture. This will balance the sweetness of the cake and enhance the fresh strawberry flavor.
- Let it chill: After assembling, refrigerate the gateau for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. This also helps the whipping cream set up a bit more, keeping your layers neat and fluffy when you’re ready to serve the cake.
Variations You Can Try
While this strawberry and cream gateau recipe is absolutely perfect as is, there are plenty of fun variations you can try to suit your preferences or dietary needs:
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make the cake gluten-free. Just make sure the flour blend has a good structure, so the cake rises properly and stays fluffy.
- Strawberry Meringue Gateau: Add a layer of homemade meringue for an extra crunchy texture. Simply whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form, then bake the meringue until crispy and golden before layering it in the cake along with fresh strawberries and whipping cream.
- Chocolate Version: Add cocoa powder to the cake batter to make a chocolate strawberry gateau. The chocolate and strawberries create a decadent combination, especially when paired with fluffy whipping cream.
- Vegan-Friendly: To make this cake vegan, substitute the eggs with flaxseed eggs or a commercial egg replacer, and use a non-dairy cream such as coconut cream in place of the heavy cream. A plant-based whipping cream also works beautifully to keep the texture light and fluffy.
Wrapping Up: Your Perfect Strawberry and Cream Gateau Awaits!
Creating your own strawberry gateau cake at home is a fun, rewarding experience that yields a dessert everyone will love. Whether you stick to the classic strawberry and heavy cream gateau recipe or get creative with some of the variations we’ve suggested, this cake is guaranteed to impress. Perfect for any occasion, it’s a treat that brings together the sweetness of fresh strawberries, the richness of whipping cream, and the lightness of fluffy sponge cake into a dessert that’s nothing short of perfection.
So, what are you waiting for? Get into your kitchen, gather your ingredients, grab your favorite cake pan, and start baking. And remember, as with any recipe, the most important ingredient is the love you put into it. Make this cake and share the joy — happy baking!
