Hey there, fellow cake enthusiasts! Today, I have an out-of-this-world treat in store for you. We're going to learn how to create a jaw-dropping Strawberry Planet Cake that will have everyone at your next gathering starry-eyed. This cake is not only visually stunning but also bursting with the sweet and refreshing flavors of strawberries. So, get ready to embark on a cosmic baking adventure!
To guide us on this celestial journey, we'll be using a fantastic recipe from U-Taste. You can find the original recipe here: [source: https://u-taste.com/blogs/recipes/strawberry-cake]. Make sure to check out their site for more delightful creations!
Now, let's gather our ingredients and prepare for lift-off:
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
For the strawberry buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Optional decorations:
- Extra fresh strawberries for garnish
- Edible silver or gold star sprinkles
Now that we have all our ingredients ready, it's time to blast off into cake-making mode!
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set it aside for now.
Step 2: In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Gently fold in the fresh strawberry puree until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 4: Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the cakes cool completely on wire racks.
Step 5: While the cakes are cooling, let's prepare the strawberry buttercream frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, strawberry puree, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy, adjusting the consistency with additional powdered sugar if needed.
Step 6: Once the cakes have cooled, it's time to assemble our Strawberry Planet Cake! Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of strawberry buttercream frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
Step 7: Now for the fun part—decorating! Get creative and let your imagination soar. You can garnish the cake with fresh strawberries, creating a circular pattern to resemble a planet's surface. For an extra touch of magic, sprinkle some edible star sprinkles to give the illusion of twinkling stars in the galaxy.
And there you have it, folks! Your very own Strawberry Planet Cake, a celestial delight that is sure to leave your taste buds and your guests in awe. With its moist strawberry-infused layers and dreamy buttercream frosting, this cake is truly a slice of heaven.
So, gather your ingredients, put on your baking apron, and prepare to embark on an intergalactic baking adventure. May your cakes rise high and your taste buds be delighted. Enjoy the journey, and happy baking!