Summer dream; Strawberry Meringue Cake

Counting down from 6 kgs of strawberries.

1 bowl to the neighbors

1 bowl to snack on (some vanilla sugar, a dash of orange -liquor- juice)

1 bowl in the freezer, unadorned

1 bowl for making jam

1 bowl to use in a panna cotta that committed gela-cide and was upgraded to ice cream (or downgraded whatever you like)

1 bowl left....

Now what to do? I knew right from the start that I would use some in this extravagantly deep cake. I love anything meringue, and the combination with a thin layer of sponge cake and fresh strawberries and cream is simply irresistable!

The cake looks rather rustic (a royal mess really), as I do not possess Martha Stewart genes in the kitchen this is a fun cake to bake. Directions are quite easy and can be divided into two simple steps. Baking the layers on day 1, and just prior to serving on day 2, whip up some cream and assemble the layers with the cream and fresh strawberries.

(printable recipe)

For the sponge:

50 gr (2oz) butter, plus extra for greasing

125 gr (4oz) caster sugar

1/2 ts vanilla essence

4 large egg yolks

125 gr (4oz) ap flour

1 tsp baking powder

3 tbs milk

- Preheat the oven to 160C (=fan assisted convection oven, 180C or 350F)

- 2 round cake tins 20 cm (8in) preferrably spring form, lined with parchment paper, bottom and sides. Leave a 2.5 cm (1in) collar above the rim in case you have a low rimmed form.**

Cream butter and sugar together until light n fluffy. Add vanilla, yolks one by one, beat thoroughly after the addition of each one.

Sift the flour and baking powder on a sheet and fold into the egg mixture, alternating with the milk. Divide the mixture between the tins and spread the mixture evenly using the back of a spoon.

Meringue

4 large egg whites

200 gr (7oz) caster sugar

3 tbs almond flour (or 50 gr flaked almonds)

Whisk egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add half the sugar, whisk until stiff and glossy, sprinkle remaining sugar on top and fold into meringue. Either sprinkle one of the meringues with the almonds, or fold almond flour into half of the meringue mixture. Divide meringue between tins, on top of the uncooked batter and level the tops.

Bake cakes in a preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until golden on top and/or shrunk slightly from the sides of the tins. Unmold very carefully and let cool on a wire rack. Sponge side down of course!

Assembly

250 ml whipping cream

500 gr (1 lb) strawberries

Slice strawberries, reserve a couple of the most beautiful to use as decoration on top. Whip cream, either with a little sugar added or just plain, until it holds shape and spread on the cake without the almonds. Top this cream layer with the sliced strawberries.

Put the second cake on top of the sliced strawberries (again, sponge side down) and decorate with icing sugar and the reserved pretty strawberries.

Enjoy, oh enjoy!! (next day....enjoy again...)

** In case you noticed; I used a larger springform for the bottom cake. There must be another 20cm springform in my pantry but it wouldn't come out when I called it's name...