Immerse yourself in the delightful flavors of this Lime Fraisier Cake, a refreshing take on the traditional French fraisier. This cake layers zesty lime-flavored sponge with silky smooth diplomat cream, creating a harmonious blend of tangy and sweet. Topped with fresh strawberries, this cake is not only visually stunning but also a treat for the taste buds.
Why You’ll Love This:
- Fresh and Zesty: The lime zest in the sponge offers a vibrant burst of flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the strawberries and cream.
- Light and Airy Cream: The diplomat cream is whipped to perfection, providing a luxurious yet light texture that complements the moist sponge.
- Elegant Presentation: The combination of bright strawberries and the fine texture of the sponge makes this cake a visual delight.
Perfect Occasion: This Lime Fraisier Cake is ideal for spring and summer gatherings, such as garden parties, bridal showers, or any occasion that calls for a sophisticated and refreshing dessert. It’s also perfect for celebrating Mother’s Day or an anniversary.
Decoration Tips:
- Arrange thinly sliced strawberries around the edge of each cake layer for a striking visual contrast.
- Dust the top with powdered sugar or decorate with lime zest spirals for an added touch of elegance.
- Consider garnishing with edible flowers or fresh mint leaves to enhance the cake’s fresh, natural appeal.
Ingredients:
- Lime Sponge:
- 80g butter
- 260g sugar
- Zest of one lime
- 160g heavy cream
- 240g all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
For the Diplomat Cream:
- 400g semi-skimmed milk
- 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped
- 65g egg yolks
- 70g sugar
- 35g cornstarch
- 6.4g gelatin (200 bloom) or 9g if using leaf gelatin
- 32g water for hydrating gelatin
- 32g unsalted butter
Instructions:
- Lime Sponge:
- Melt the butter and let it cool.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, and lime zest until the mixture doubles in volume.
- Mix in the heavy cream, then fold in the sifted flour and baking powder gently with a spatula.
- Take a small portion of the batter and mix it with the melted butter, then combine it back into the main batter.
- Pour into a 20cm mold and bake at 170°C for 20 minutes. Adjust the baked sponge to fit a 20cm circle by trimming the edges if necessary.
- Diplomat Cream:
- Hydrate the gelatin in cold water and set aside.
- Heat the milk with vanilla seeds and pod until boiling. Remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until light, then mix in the cornstarch.
- Pour the hot milk over the yolk mixture, stirring continuously, then return to the heat and cook until thickened.
- Remove from heat, add the hydrated gelatin, and stir until dissolved. Mix in the butter until smooth.
- Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and chill overnight.
Assembly: Layer the lime sponge with diplomat cream and fresh strawberries. Repeat for multiple layers if desired.
Enjoy this luxurious Lime Fraisier Cake, a perfect blend of citrus and sweetness, guaranteed to impress at any festive gathering!
