Summer Birthday Cake Recipe
Category: Desserts
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Dark chocolate | 95g |
Eggs | 4 |
Butter | 60g |
Granulated sugar | 120g |
All-purpose flour | 65g |
Cornstarch (corn flour) | 35g |
Baking powder | 10g |
Cream cheese (spreadable) | 400g |
Heavy whipping cream | 200g |
Powdered sugar | 80g |
Cherries | 200g |
Mixed berries | 180g |
Additional cherries | 100g |
Fresh mint leaves | To taste |
Instructions:
1. Prepare the cake base:
Start by finely chopping the dark chocolate with a knife into coarse pieces. Place it in a heatproof bowl, and melt it over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once the chocolate has completely melted, stir in the butter. Continue stirring until the butter is fully absorbed, and then allow the mixture to cool slightly (but not too much—ensure it’s still warm). Occasionally stir to prevent any lumps from forming.
2. Separate the eggs:
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. For this recipe, you’ll need 145g of egg whites and 72g of egg yolks (roughly the yolks from 4 medium eggs). Place the egg yolks in the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a whisk attachment. Add 60g of granulated sugar (half of the total amount) to the yolks, and whisk on high speed until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
3. Mix the ingredients:
Once the chocolate mixture has cooled slightly, pour it into the egg yolk mixture. Mix on medium speed until the batter is smooth and uniform. In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour and cornstarch together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, one spoonful at a time, while keeping the mixer running on low speed. This will help achieve a smooth, lump-free batter.
4. Whip the egg whites:
In a separate bowl, start whipping the egg whites. Once they begin to turn foamy, gradually add the remaining 60g of sugar, continuing to whip until the egg whites form stiff peaks.
5. Combine the batter and egg whites:
Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture, using a spatula and employing a gentle folding motion from the bottom to the top. Be careful not to deflate the egg whites. Continue until the batter is smooth and airy.
6. Prepare the cake pan:
Grease and flour a 22cm round cake pan. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the cake in a preheated static oven at 160°C (320°F) for 50 minutes. Once baked, perform the toothpick test to ensure it’s cooked through. If the toothpick comes out clean, remove the cake from the oven.
7. Prepare the filling:
While the cake is baking, pit the 200g of cherries using a cherry pitter. Place the pitted cherries in a blender and puree them until smooth. Set this cherry puree aside.
In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese with the powdered sugar using electric beaters until smooth and creamy. Gradually pour in the heavy cream while continuing to mix, creating a soft, smooth filling.
8. Assemble the cake:
Once the cake has fully cooled, transfer it to a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to carefully slice the cake in half, creating two even layers. Place the bottom layer on a serving plate.
9. Add cherry puree and cream:
Drizzle some of the leftover cherry puree over the first cake layer. Then, spread one-third of the cream cheese filling over it. Top with the second cake layer, and cover the entire cake with the remaining cream. Use a spatula to smooth the top and sides of the cake, creating a nice, even coating. For a decorative touch, use the remaining cream to create a textured, wavy effect on top of the cake.
10. Decorate and serve:
To finish the cake, arrange the mixed berries, remaining cherries, and fresh mint leaves on top of the cake for a colorful and refreshing touch. The Summer Birthday Cake is now ready to be enjoyed by all!
This delicious, light, and fruity cake is perfect for any special occasion, especially during the summer months when cherries and berries are in season. The combination of rich chocolate, creamy filling, and fresh fruit makes for an unforgettable treat that’s sure to impress your guests. Enjoy!