Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
Calling all the cake Gods, I’m making my first birthday cake ever!
Cal (husband) and I have been celebrating his birthday together for over a decade now, and for the very first time, I finally made him a homemade birthday cake. A few weeks prior to his birthday, I asked him what kind of cake he would like for his birthday and I told him ahead of time that this year (2020) I’ll be winging a birthday cake for him! I showed him some cake pictures on social media to help him decide and I was so delighted that he chose a very elegant cake: a Japanese Strawberry Shortcake. It is the most loved cake in Japan. Expect to see this cake as the center of the attraction in Japanese homes during special occasions like Christmas and of course birthdays!
My cake came out (thankfully! thank you cake Gods!) light, fluffy, topped with fresh cream and strawberries with fancy sprinkles of silver dragées. ( Dragées, if you’re not familiar with the term, are sprinkles usually made of sugar and coated with thin layer of silver coloring). Not bad at all for a first timer. Going through all my cake pictures, I feel specially proud for tackling this cake. When I would start feeling overwhelmed during the process, I would just close my eyes, take mini breaks in between and think about my husband. He deserves to have a nice elegant birthday cake. The elegance comes from the fresh and sweet strawberries, heavenly light whipped cream frosting, and super fluffy sponge cake. If you have doubts making this cake, I’m here to assure you that you can ABSOLUTELY make this yourself at home. You don’t have to be an expert baker to make it. You just need, of course, the proper baking tools, fresh ingredients, time, and patience! Then, you’re all set!
There’s nothing more special than a delicious homemade birthday cake. It beats all the material gifts you can buy. And, I have to tell you the taste of a homemade cake is something you cannot buy in stores. Simply, because you made it. Japanese cakes are specially light and a feel good cake. We love them so much! Every bite of this cake is a treat. I hope you’ll enjoy it too. I’m sure whatever cake you make will be forever cherished and adored! So, are you ready to make your loved ones extra special today?
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients
Sponge Cake ( I used 18 cm mold)
- 4 Eggs
- 115 g Sugar
- 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
- 3 Tbsp. Butter
- 7 Tbsp. Milk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract I used bourbon vanilla
- 100 g Cake Flour
- 1 tsp. Baking Powder
Whipped Cream Frosting/Decoration
- 500 g Heavy Cream Cold Pls.
- 75 g Sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract I used bourbon vanilla
- Fresh Strawberries
Instructions
- Melt butter in a small bowl placed on top of a saucepan filled with hot water half way.
- Add milk. Mix. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, separate egg yolks and egg whites.
- Add lemon juice to egg whites.
- Using an electric mixer, beat eggs until soapy bubbles appear.
- Gradually, add sugar. Continue to beat eggs until sugar are well dissolved.
- Look for soft peaks. Set meringue aside.
- Add egg yolks to the cooled milk mixture.
- Gradually, add cake flour. Whisk well.
- Add vanilla extract. Whisk.
- Gently fold yolk mixture to meringue.
- Add baking powder. Fold mixture again.
- Pour cake batter into a mold lined with parchment paper.
- Drop cake mold twice to remove air bubbles.
- Bake at 320 F ( 160 C) for 45min-1 Hr.
- Insert toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, it's done baking.
- Let sponge cake cool completely before decorating.
- For filling, remove and cut strawberry stems. Slice strawberries in half. For top decoration, leave stems on and use whole strawberries.
- Prepare a bowl of ice water. Place a chilled mixing bowl on top.
- Pour in cold heavy cream. Whip cream using an electric mixer.
- Gradually, add sugar.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Whip cream until medium stiff peaks are achieved.
- Carefully, slice cooled cake in half.
- Using an offset spatula, spread whipped cream on sponge cake. Add fresh strawberries. Add more cream.
- Place the other half of the sponge cake on top.
- Cover the entire cake with whipped cream and decorate as you like.
- Enjoy!
Notes
WATCH The Japanese Strawberry Shortcake Step-By-Step Video Tutorial:
My name is Dhin. I'm delighted that you are here to join me in cooking delicious food and baking adorable pastries. Working in the kitchen became my therapy when the pandemic struck all of us. Join me on my journey, one bite at a time.
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