INGREDIENTS
Chocolate cake
260 g unsalted butter, softened
450 g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Pinch of salt flakes
5 eggs, room temperature
250 g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
45 g Dutch processed cocoa powder
120 ml full cream milk
White chocolate buttercream
305 g fresh cream 35% fat
410 g good quality white chocolate
460 g caster sugar
8 egg whites, room temperature
Pinch of cream of tartar
Pinch of salt flakes
305 g unsalted butter, cubed and chilled 2 cm cubes
Orange food colour gel
Red food colour gel
Strawberry compote
600 g strawberries, cubed
200 g caster sugar
12 g pectin
30 ml lemon juice
Strawberry soak
600 g strawberries, diced
140 g caster sugar
½ tsp vanilla bean paste
Miele Accessories
METHOD
Chocolate cake
- Preheat the oven on Fan Plus at 160°C.
- Grease and line 2 cake tins, 18 cm in diameter.
- In the bowl of a freestanding mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as required.
- In a separate bowl, break up the eggs, then gradually add them to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
- Sieve the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder.
- Fold the sieved ingredients through, alternating with the milk.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the 2 prepared cake tins.
- Bake in the preheated oven on shelf level 2 for 55-60 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- Once cool, trim the tops off each cake then cut in half.
White chocolate buttercream
- Preheat the oven on Fan Plus at 180°C.
- Place the cream in a small saucepan over high heat, induction setting 9, and bring to the boil.
- Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate and whisk until the chocolate has completely melted and combined. Allow the ganache to cool at room temperature.
- Spread the sugar over a baking tray. Turn the oven off and place the sugar into the oven. Close the oven door and allow the sugar to heat for 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a freestanding mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the egg whites, cream of tartar, salt and hot sugar until the meringue reaches medium peaks.
- Add the butter, a piece at a time, followed by the white chocolate ganache.
- Remove approximately 200 g of the buttercream. Colour this buttercream with the orange and red colour gel to achieve a bright orange colour. Set aside until required.
Hints and tips
- After adding the butter and ganache, the buttercream may appear to separate. Continue mixing until it comes together.
Strawberry compote
- In a small bowl, whisk the sugar and pectin to avoid lumps.
- In a medium saucepan, place the strawberries and sugar-pectin mixture. Cook over medium heat, induction setting 6, until the compote thickens and the strawberries just begin to break down, approximately 6 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice and mix to combine.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.
Strawberry soak
- Combine the strawberries, sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan.
- Place on low heat, induction setting 4, and cook for 12 minutes, gently stirring, to form a syrup.
- Set aside and strain to remove the strawberries prior to use.