Strawberry shortcake recipe: a simple taste for little ones

I got a four leaves strawberry shortcake for Trinity when she was 1 year old cos I feel that it is uncomplicated, simple sponge cake with fresh strawberries and since during infanthood, babies have not been exposed to cakes due to sugar and whole milk content, hence to begin eating, should be something light on the palette. And if all else fails, just eat the fresh strawberries for picture sake!
So for Tiffany's 1st birthday, I wanted her to have a strawberry shortcake as well. The only difference this time is that it is homemade! My baker friend Stephanie told me that strawberry shortcake consist of 2 things. A good sponge cake and creme Chantilly.
So I began researching on various recipes and in the end, I got 2 delicious recipes which worked together perfectly!

To create, I used my kenwood mixer and here's my tips:

1. Make sure eggs used in this recipe is 60g each and must be at room temperature. Cold eggs DO NOT reach their maximum potential when whipped which means that meringue for the creme Chantilly will not be as voluminous as it ought to be.
2. The traditional way to make creme Chantilly is to place your mixing bowl under a bowl of ice water but how are we going to achieve that using the kitchen stand mixer? Well, I place the entire mixing bowl and whisk attachment on the fridge and chilled it for at least 1-2 hours before use. This way, the bowl and whisk will be icy cold and nice!
3. I used Korean strawberries. These strawberries are really
Sweet and nice! If not, go for organic strawberries which has a tender texture and sweeter than regular strawberries.
4. Do try serving them as cupcakes literally. I got the silicon cupcake bakeware for coldstorage.
It comes with saucers too! In white or pink!

Here's my recipe combined from cakeboss' website and my creme chantilly recipe.

For sponge cake:
Recipe from the cake boss website

http://www.cakeboss.com/cakebossspongecake.aspx

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter (lightly salted)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt


1. Beat eggs in large mixing bowl with paddle attachment for 4 minutes. Do not skip this step!

2. Add sugar, and continue beating for another 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and stir on low until just combined.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add to eggs and sugar on low speed until just combined.

4. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter on low heat just until butter is melted. Add to batter, beat just until combined.

5. Pour into 2 greased 20cm round cake pans and the silicon cupcakes moulds. I fill them
3/4 full

6. Bake at 160 deg celsius until the middle springs back when touched, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cupcakes took less than 20 minutes while the cake took 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand in pans for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto wire cooling racks and cool completely.

Hint: Cakes are close to being done when you start to smell them.


Creme Chantilly

2 cups whipping cream
2 tablespoon icing sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Place your metal mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the refrigerator and chill it for 2 hours.

2. Combine everything and whisk till soft peak.

3. Cover and chill the creme until ready for use.

Strawberry shortcake

1. Remove cakes from pans carefully.
2. Chill cake in fridge for at least 30minutes to cool them.
3. Place 1st layer of cake, a layer of creme chantilly.
4. Place sliced strawberries neatly and lavishly.
5. Place 2nd layer of sponge and place a layer of creme Chantilly and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
6. Add 2nd layer of creme Chantilly and decorate with strawberries and it's ready!

Strawberry cupcake

1. Use a small sharp knife to make an incision in the middle of the cupcake. Remove a chunk, the hole should be the amount of creme Chantilly you want to fill with.
2. Use a piping bag and squeeze the creme Chantilly to fill the cupcake and place an inverted strawberry onto it!

Children will love filling the creme Chantilly and placing the strawberries! Do invite them to help!

Then it's party time!

Inspiring Yummy Mummies
PoshPearl