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Home » Popular » baking » Summer Strawberry Cake

Summer Strawberry Cake

September 7, 2012 by Savoring Italy

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Summer Strawberry Cake is a beautiful sponge cake. Filled with whipped cream and gorgeous strawberries, this is a stunning cake to make for any special event.

overhead image of summer strawberry cake

I know some of you may be experiencing lovely cooler temperatures. I am happy for you. I really am. I’m also extremely envious of you.
 
It’s not often that I find the right moment to bake with my mom. She is an amazing baker and inspires me with her creativity and talent.  Baking with my mom is sometimes quite the adventure. Usually, it gets a little loud. We argue and boss each other around.
 
We can’t cook or bake together when my husband is home. He thinks we are fighting with each other when actually, we’re just passionately discussing why we think the other person is wrong with their idea. I’m always right. She’ll say she’s always right. But through all the silliness, we do sometimes come up with some wonderful creations, like this lovely cake.
 
I almost let the whole summer slip by without sharing the recipe here for my own memory and also for any of you that may want to try it one day. It’s a sweet way to salute the impending end of summer. 
 

overhead image of summer strawbery cake sliced in the middle

It’s a beautiful cake and it is really not that difficult to make. The pan di spagna (sponge cake)is light as air and really versatile. It is my mother-in-law Teresa’s recipe. She makes her cake for every birthday. She sometimes fills it with pudding or crema pasticciera (pastry cream).
 
My mom was thinking of a way to showcase the gorgeous strawberries we were enjoying at the height of the season. Her strawberry filling with stabilized whipped cream is a filling I remember her making when I was a little girl. It’s not too heavy. Not too sweet. And is absolutely delicious.
 
Mom did the pretty decoration with the strawberries. Really, she was the brainchild behind this recipe. All I did was bake the cake and drive her crazy in the kitchen.
 
If you want to see some photos on how Teresa (my mother-in-law)makes the pan di spagna cake, look at one of our reader’s most beloved post:  Torta alla Panna-Italian Birthday Cake.

 

What ingredients do you need to make a Summer Strawberry Cake?

Pan di Spagna ingredients:

  • eggs
  •  sugar
  • flour
  • baking powder
  • vanilla extract

 Stabilized whipped cream ingredients:

  • unflavored gelatin
  • heavy or whipping cream
  • sugar
  • vanilla

For the strawberries:

  • fresh strawberries
  • granulated sugar
  • Juice and zest of one lemon

You first have to start making the sponge cake:  Pan di Spagna

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour (or use baking spray) two 9-inch round cake pans. Beat the eggs all at one time with the sugar on high speed until it is nice and frothy. Beat in the vanilla.

Sift the flour and baking powder.

Beat in the sifted flour on medium speed in small doses.

Bake the Pan di Spagna for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is well risen and feels firm when pressed gently with the palm of the hand. Check the cake after the first 20minutes to make sure it isn’t getting too brown. Every oven is different. If needed, lower the temperature to 325 for the rest of the baking time.
Set on wire rack to cool.

Directions:
In a small bowl, add gelatin to cold water. Let it dissolve.
In the bowl of a mixer, beat the cream for about 1 minute. Add the gelatin and the confectioner’s sugar. Beat until it gets thick and starts to form peaks.

To prepare the strawberries:

2-lbs of fresh strawberries (1 ½ box for filling. Other ½ is for decorating)
1 cup granulated sugar
Juice and zest of one lemon

Hull and slice 1 ½ box (reserve the other ½for decoration) of strawberries. In a medium saucepan, add the sugar, strawberries, juice and zest of one lemon.

Cook until strawberries get soft and macerated over medium heat. As soon as they get thickened, add the slices from the additional ½ box of strawberries. Fold and incorporate with the macerated strawberries in the thickened sauce.

To assemble the cake:

Let the strawberries cool down for a few minutes and spread on one portion of cake. Spread on top of the strawberries with a spatula the stabilized whipped cream, ending with the second layer of cake. With the spatula, spread the remaining whipped cream on the sides and decorate with the additional strawberries leaving stems on and cut into half. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy the Summer Strawberry Cake.:)

Some other cake recipes:

  • Fresh Strawberry Bundt Cake
  • Vegan Peach Polenta Cake
  • Coconut Lime Bundt Cake
  • Lemon Yogurt Cake
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Summer Strawberry Cake

Summer Strawberry Cake is a beautiful sponge cake. Filled with whipped cream and gorgeous strawberries, this is a stunning cake to make for any special event.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: cake, Strawberries, whipped cream
Author: Lora

Ingredients

  • PAN DI SPAGNA
  • 5 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • STABILIZED WHIPPED CREAM
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 1 Tablespoon cold water
  • 1 cup cold heavy or whipping cream
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • STRAWBERRIES
  • 2- lbs of fresh strawberries 1 ½ box for filling. Other ½ is for decorating
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Juice and zest of one lemon

Instructions

  • PAN DI SPAGNA
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour (or use baking spray) two 9-inch round cake pans. Beat the eggs all at one time with the sugar on high speed until it is nice and frothy. Beat in the vanilla.
  • Sift the flour and baking powder.
  • Beat in the sifted flour on medium speed in small doses.
  • Bake the Pan di Spagna for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is well risen and feels firm when pressed gently with the palm of the hand. Check the cake after the first 20minutes to make sure it isn't getting too brown. Every oven is different. If needed, lower the temperature to 325 for the rest of the baking time.
  • Set on wire rack to cool.
  • STRAWBERRY FILLING WITH STABILIZED WHIPPED CREAM
  • In a small bowl, add gelatin to cold water. Let it dissolve.
  • In the bowl of a mixer, beat the cream for about 1 minute.Add the gelatin and the confectioner’s sugar. Beat until it gets thick and starts to form peaks.
  • STRAWBERRIES
  • 2-lbs of fresh strawberries (1 ½ box for filling. Other ½ is for decorating)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Juice and zest of one lemon
  • Hull and slice 1 ½ box (reserve the other ½for decoration) of strawberries. In a medium saucepan, add the sugar, strawberries, juice and zest of one lemon.
  • Cook until strawberries get soft and macerated over medium heat. As soon as they get thickened, add the slices from the additional ½ box of strawberries. Fold and incorporate with the macerated strawberries in the thickened sauce.
  • ASSEMBLE CAKE
  • Let the strawberries cool down for a few minutes and spread on one portion of cake.Spread on top of the strawberries with a spatula the stabilized whipped cream,ending with the second layer of cake. With the spatula, spread the remaining whipped cream on the sides and decorate with the additional strawberries leaving stems on and cut into half. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!
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Comments

  1. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Gorgeous cake, Lora!! Happy birthday to you :).

    Reply
  2. Annapet S. Isidoro says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Happy Birthday, Lora! I know I have not been around much, but your treats and tweets always make me smile.

    Reply
  3. Gina says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    I'm so glad I'm not the only one who isn't arguing when I'm talking loudly. I'm just speaking loudly so they are sure and get the point, I tell everyone, lol. I'm glad you and your mom got to bake together, that makes for the best memories. A perfect birthday cake indeed, I see why your mother-in-law makes it. Happy Birthday.
    -Gina-

    Reply
  4. Sandra M. says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    Happy Birthday!!!! You are and your mom are the best, but I know what you mean…you argue with love!:)
    Beautiful cake!!!

    Reply
  5. Kate@Diethood says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! This cake is making me drool a bit… Mouthwatering! I am very familiar with pan di spagna. I loooove it! I make it for special occasions and then fill it with all sorts of puddings, creams, or fruits.

    Reply
  6. Swathi Iyer says

    September 7, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    Love this strawberry cake, I was drooling when I saw in Lizzy's blog, I know you and mom are awesome cooks. Here strawberries season is coming to end.

    Reply
  7. Lisa says

    September 7, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    First off..HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my friend! Secondly – what a gorgeous cake..perfect for your birthday! If my mouth wasn't numb, I'd bake and eat it now! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Lana says

    September 8, 2012 at 4:33 am

    Buon compleanno, bella e tanti auguri! Summer strawberry and pastry cream cake has a special place in my heart, too:) Light, fresh, filled with hints of vanilla and aroma of ripe strawberries, it is the epitome of summer:) Lovely!

    Reply
  9. Munatycooking says

    September 8, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    Happy Birthday!!! May God bless you and your family. The cake looks beautiful 🙂

    Reply
  10. Deborah says

    September 8, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    My daughter is a strawberry fanatic and would LOVE this cake!! And arguing or not, baking with your mom is a priceless experience! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Paula says

    September 8, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    You and your Mom are so fortunate to be living close to one another and to have the opportunities to share your love of cooking and baking together in the same kitchen from time to time. This is a beautiful summer cake!
    Hope your birthday celebration was magical 😉

    Reply
  12. Bunkycooks says

    September 9, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    This cake is lovely! I think it would be fun to cook or bake with you and your mother. 🙂 I hope you had a wonderful birthday with your family.

    Reply
  13. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    September 10, 2012 at 12:57 am

    Beautiful cake. This is definitely a perfect celebration cake!

    Reply
  14. Shulie says

    September 10, 2012 at 1:03 am

    It's funny how Israelis bake more like the Europeans. With whipped cream, I baked something similar, a strawberries and cream cake. Your MIL's recipe looks delicious!

    Reply
  15. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    September 10, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Beautiful and yummy cake!! A very happy belated birthday, Lora!!

    Reply
  16. Amy says

    September 10, 2012 at 11:09 am

    This is lovely Lora! It sounds delicious as well, as nothing beats fresh berries in the summer! Yum! Love the filling :)!

    Reply
  17. SprinkleBakes says

    September 10, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  18. Jamie says

    September 10, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    So beautiful! You know, I've wanted to make two different desserts, both pretty similar to this – and now you have me wanting to make them with strawberries before the season is over. Stunning! And I so want to try your pan di spagna recipe!

    Reply
  19. Lorraine Joy Alegria-Vizcarra says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:40 am

    The cake looks wonderful. I like how you used the strawberries for the sides.

    Reply
  20. Amelia says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:04 am

    Hi Cake Duchess, this strawberry look gorgeous and delicious.
    Love the decoration, simple but beautiful.

    Have a nice day, regards.

    Reply
  21. Baker Street says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:05 am

    Your MIL's recipe sounds fantastic! I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Lora!

    Much love,
    A

    Reply
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Welcome to our Italian kitchen! We are Lora and Gabriella, the mother-daughter team behind Savoring Italy. We work hard to create recipes that are inclusive of many sorts of diets, but do not follow one diet. Read More

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