O’s birthday follows shortly after mine. We enjoy the same age for two weeks every year. The strawberry shortcake I decided to revisit from last year may become O’s yearly cake. Sure it’s nice to change it up now and again, but when you find something so light, all pleasing and downright yummy, why not stick to it for that special occasion. It would make a perfect summer cake when the berries are really in season.
We try to go outside the normal dinner setting. Although eating like this every night would be nice too.
We celebrated with a family dinner and O got about a 24oz T-Bone on the grill from his father-in-law, Mr Willie T (he’s rocking the jazz world online these days). And this cake.
I followed the same recipe and again only used two pans for the lack of three the same size. Each layer, cut in two. What I did add was a little sauce- frozen strawberries slightly thickened with a slurry of sugar and a little cornstarch.
For the cake:
8 large egg yolks 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla zest from one organic lemon 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 large egg whites
Filling:
2 cups chilled heavy cream 1/2 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 pound strawberries
I had some photo fun and the fam was totally patient. I usually try not to mix to much photo taking when they are all waiting for the cake to come out and be cut. But this one was just so pretty. I can be critical about my cooking but when I’m pleased with something, I’m also not afraid to shout it out!
The cakes were a little lighter this year. Last year they were almost a little meringue like. A reminder that there are many little reactions at work in baking.
Each layer filled with a whipped cream and sour cream combo. I wanted to try mascarpone but bought the coffee flavored “tiramisu” one by mistake. oh well.
I use the outside strawberry slices for the middle parts.
And four layers later…
And cause it was just fun to keep taking pics…
And my patient hubs waited to eat the first piece, even taking it outside for me… to the light, so I could take a photo after he blew out his long stemmed, single, red candle.
Insert Otis gets his bone from the ginormous steak. He’s going to love O’s bday too:)
A little piece for the birthday boy.
And a little piece for you…
Happy Birthday one more time O.
Tschüß xx
Garden update: Tomatoes want out of their little pots. Plant ME! If this was maryjane (now legal) I could really call this a farm!
These johnny jump up seeds were so tiny! The thrill of a flower is immense. They too say PLANT ME!
And the shop fills with goodies. Did I mention loads of honey, salt and nougatine? Now we are in chaos before order mode.
