13/05/2026
Cream and Strawberries Cake (Pastry Style)
INGREDIENTS:
For the Vanilla Sponge:
All-purpose flour (2 cups)
Baking powder (2 teaspoons)
Fine salt (½ teaspoon)
Eggs (4 large, room temperature)
Granulated sugar (1½ cups)
Whole milk (1 cup, warm)
Vegetable oil (½ cup)
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons)
For the Simple Syrup Soak:
Granulated sugar (½ cup)
Water (½ cup)
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
For the Whipped Cream Frosting and Filling:
Double cream (900ml, very cold)
Powdered sugar (100g, sifted)
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons)
Cream stabiliser or cornflour (2 teaspoons or 1 teaspoon)
For Decoration:
Fresh strawberries (10-12 large, halved and some left whole with stems)
Fresh raspberries (150g
Extra whipped cream (for piping rosettes)
Directions
Bake the Vanilla Sponge
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a large rectangular 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Beat the eggs and sugar together for 4-5 minutes until very pale, thick, and ribbon-like. This aeration is crucial for light sponge. Add the oil and vanilla and mix until combined. Fold in the flour mixture in two additions alternating with the warm milk, mixing gently until just smooth. Don’t overmix.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a skewer comes out clean and the top springs back when gently pressed. Cool completely in the pan for 15 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool fully.
Make the Simple Syrup
Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and cool completely before using.
Prepare the Whipped Cream Frosting
Whip all the very cold double cream, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and stabilizer together to firm, stable peaks. This takes about 4-5 minutes. The cream should stand up in firm peaks when you lift the beaters.
Reserve about one third of the whipped cream in a piping bag fitted with a medium star tip for the rosette decoration. Refrigerate both the piping bag and remaining cream until needed.
Assemble the Layers
Slice the cooled sponge horizontally into two even layers using a long serrated knife. Place the bottom layer on a large white rectangular serving plate. Brush generously with the cooled simple syrup all over the surface.
Spread a generous, thick layer of whipped cream evenly over the entire surface right to every edge. Place the second sponge layer on top and press down very gently. Brush generously with the remaining simple syrup.
Frost and Finish
Spread whipped cream over the entire top surface and all four sides. Don’t stress about perfect smoothness because a natural, slightly textured finish with gentle soft drips down the sides is exactly what you want here. Let the cream fall naturally.
Allow any excess cream to drip softly and naturally down the sides. This relaxed, organic drip effect is the signature of this cake and should not be smoothed away.
Decorate with Berries
Pipe a row of medium swirl rosettes in a continuous line down the very center of the top from one end to the other. Arrange the halved and whole fresh strawberries generously along the entire rosette line, alternating cut-side-up halves and whole berries with green stems still attached for a natural, abundant look.
Tuck the fresh raspberries in between and around the strawberries to fill every gap with color. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let everything set