Avid Baker's Challenge: Cupid's Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream

The second Avid Baker's Challenge September cake is Cupid's Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream on page 314 of Flo Braker's Baking for All Occasions. I actually made this cake a few months ago for a party but saved the photos for this month. This is going to be a quick post with just the pictures as I'm so overdue in getting this posted.

I made the cake on a hot and humid June day so the cream cheese buttercream frosting didn't participate too well - even after chilling in the fridge. However, this is partly my fault because I refuse to use gelatin, so I'm sure it would have set up better with the called-for gelatin. In the end though, the super soft buttercream didn't really matter because the overall cake was absolutely delicious! I made the cake for a wine and cheese party (aka my bookclub) along with the HCB Mud Turtle Cupcakes and both were a hit. I loved the yellow cake - moist and light but sturdy - perfect for filling with jam. And the other flavors - the cream cheese frosting with a hint of lemon, jam and strawberries - all went together really well. Another hit from Flo!

mise en place for the cake

creaming the butter and sugar until very pale

in go the eggs then the rest of the ingredients

into the oven

out of the oven...golden brown

mise en place for the buttercream

cream cheese and butter, whipped

whipping the egg yolks

water-sugar mixture is boiled to soft-ball stage and added, then whipped some more

the cream cheese mixture is added

fresh strawberries and jam

ready to slice - with my new 18" long cake knife - and assemble

first layer, sliced in half, waiting for a layer of jam

in the middle of the cake, strawberries get sandwiched  between buttercream

the finished cake

seems a shame to cut it!

but I've got to have a taste...delicious!

Bye for now...