Basil Cake With Balsamic Strawberries Recipes

Steps:

• For the basil whipped cream: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil. Let sit 30 minutes, then strain and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with a rack in the middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch cake pan and line the bottom with a circle of parchment.
• Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar on high speed in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides occasionally. Reduce the speed to low and mix in half of the flour mixture. Add the milk and vanilla and mix to combine. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix just until smooth.
• In a clean mixer bowl, whisk the egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar to firm peaks. Stir about a third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten it, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a tester in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely.
• For the strawberries: Combine the strawberries and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Toss well and refrigerate until the sugar dissolves and the berries become juicy, about 30 minutes. Taste and add a little more sugar if needed. When ready to serve, add the basil and toss.
• Put the chilled cream in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium until foamy, then gradually add the confectioners' sugar and increase the speed to high. Whisk to form soft peaks, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla.
• Split the cake horizontally with a serrated knife into 2 thinner layers. Place the bottom layer on a serving platter. Top with half of the whipped cream and then half of the strawberries. Add the top layer, cut-side down. Top with the remaining whipped cream and strawberries. Garnish with basil sprigs and serve immediately.

Steps:

• For the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, almonds and salt. Add the butter and stir to combine until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbs form. Set aside.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the sour cream, vanilla, salt and eggs. Beat on medium to combine. Add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the baking powder and baking soda. Mix again until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the milk and mix again until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour and the lemon zest and fold with a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with the strawberries and basil.
• Top with the crumb topping and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups cream to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bruise large basil leaves by hitting repeatedly with the dull side of a knife, and stir into cream. Remove from heat, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let steep for 25 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing solids to extract liquid. Refrigerate until very cold, at least 5 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together flour, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, the baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or rub in with your fingers. (The largest pieces should be the size of small peas.)
• Whisk together 3/4 cup heavy cream, the eggs, and vanilla. Stir into flour using a fork until ingredients are moistened but not fully incorporated. (Do not overmix.)
• Turn dough out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and pat into a 9 1/2-inch circle. Brush dough with remaining 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
• Bake until light golden brown and just cooked through, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, macerate strawberries with remaining 1/4 cup sugar, plus more if needed, depending on sweetness, stirring occasionally, for at least 1 hour.
• Toss berries with small basil leaves. Whisk basil cream with confectioners' sugar in the chilled bowl of a mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Mound basil cream on shortcake. Spoon berries with juice over top.

Steps:

• Place strawberries in a bowl. Drizzle vinegar over strawberries, and sprinkle with sugar. Stir gently to combine. Cover, and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour but not more than 4 hours. Just before serving, grind pepper over berries.

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, vinegar, honey, and pepper. Add basil and strawberries; toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 10 minutes and up to 1 1/2 hours. Serve chilled.