Summer Berry Lemon Layer Cake Food

LEMON LAYER CAKE WITH LEMON CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 8-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients just until combined. With the mixer still running on low, add the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice and mix just until combined. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be a little thick.
• Pour batter evenly into cake pans. Bake for around 21-26 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it's done. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling. The baked cakes are fluffy, but they are not thick- about 1 - 1.5 inches.
• In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat until completely smooth and combined. Add confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin, more lemon juice if frosting is too thick, or add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. (I always add a pinch of salt!)
• Using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard (or crumble over ice cream!). Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand, cake turntable, or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with about 1 cup of frosting. Top with 2nd cake layer and evenly cover the top with about 1 cup of frosting. Top with the third cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I like to top mine with homemade whipped cream (I used Wilton 8B piping tip).
• Refrigerate for at least 30-45 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.

SUMMER BERRY LEMON LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Making the Cake:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter and flour two 9 inch cake pans. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer or by hand until light and fluffy, approx 3 minutes or so. Beat in the vanilla and vinegar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by half of the flour mixture. Add the milk and beat in the remaining flour mixture. Beat in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
• Pour the batter into prepared cake pans.
• Bake until lightly golden and a chopstick inserted into middle of the cake comes out clean, about 15-20 minutes. Let cake cool on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting (for frosting 1). In a large bowl, beat together butter, 6 cups of confectioner's sugar, half 'n' half, lemon juice, and lemon zest with a whisk until incorporated. Continue to beat for 3 minutes, or until frosting begins to get fluffy. At this point, taste the frosting. If desired, add remaining two cups of confectioner's sugar in 1/2 cup increments, tasting for preferred sweetness. Continue to beat frosting until thick and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Set to cool.
• For Frosting 2; In a mixer bowl, whisk the egg whites, cider vinegar, sugar and vanilla until well combined (not until stiff, that will be later). Incorporate the water.
• Fill a saucepan with water about (2-3 cups). The saucepan should be large enough for the mixer bowl to "rest in it" but without touching the bottom of the saucepan.
• When the water is shimmering place the bowl in the sauce pan and whisk the mixture. Be sure to watch that th mixture does not boil. Whisk until all the sugar is dissovled and remove from the saucepan.
• Place the bowl in the kitchen mixer with the whisk attachment on. Whisk the meringue frosting until stiff peaks forms and has a glossy look. This can take up to 12-15 minutes or more. Refrigerate until needed.
• To make the jam; In a food processor (or in my case, ninja blender), puree the raspberries and 4 oz strawberries. In a small saucepan add the berry puree, water, and sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon until it begins to warm slightly (it will bubble slightly at the sides) and whisk in cornstarch. Cook until the jam thickens and pour into a bowl to cool. Refrigerate until needed.
• To assemble the cake: Place first layer of cake on a stand or plate. cover evenly with jam and top with sliced strawberries (top with even amount of frosting if using). Place second layer of cake on top of first. Frost the top (with one of the frostings) and sides evenly with remaining frosting. Decorate the top of the frosted cake with blackberries and strawberries. Refrigerate and store for up to a week.

SUMMER BERRY CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• To prepare cake, first heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil or spray a 10-inch springform pan, and line bottom with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer at high speed, whisk eggs and sugar together until they triple in volume, becoming thick and airy. Add vanilla and lemon zest, and whisk to combine. Reduce speed to medium-low, and gradually add flour. Remove bowl from mixer, give a final fold with a spatula and pour into prepared cake pan. Bake until risen and light golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool pan on wire rack 10 minutes, and remove sides from pan.
• When cake is cool use a long, thin knife to split it into 2 thin disks. Place bottom half cut side up on a serving platter; place other half cut side up on a large piece of foil. In a blender, combine 2 cups strawberries, confectioners' sugar and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup purée, and divide remaining purée between two cake layers, pouring over cut sides and spreading with a rubber spatula.
• In a large bowl, combine reserved 1/4 cup purée with 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup red raspberries and currants or golden raspberries. Fold gently to mix.
• Whisk heavy cream with vanilla until thick but still soft. Spread half over cake sitting on serving dish. Top with fruit mixture, and place remaining cake half on top, cut side down. Spread remaining cream on top. Cut strawberries into halves or quarters, and place in a bowl. Add remaining 1/4 cup each of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, and toss to mix. Arrange berry mixture on top of cake, and dust with confectioners' sugar.