Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9"x13" pan, and line with parchment paper. Butter parchment paper well, set aside.

Step 2

Cream together butter, sugar, and lemon zest.

Step 3

Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping sides of bowl, until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Add 1 tablespoon vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined.

Step 5

Add flour, and buttermilk. Mix until just combined.

Step 6

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean.

Step 7

Allow cake to cool for 20 minutes. Then use 1/4 inch wooden cooking handle to poke holes all over cake.

Step 8

In a small bowl mix together water, and gelatin. Allow to bloom for 5 minutes.

Step 9

Puree 2 cups strawberries in a blender, or food processor.

Step 10

In a medium-sized saucepan add pureed strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, remove from heat. Stir in bloomed gelatin mixture, and remaining 1 cup diced strawberries.

Step 11

Set aside.

Step 12

In a small bowl mix together water, and gelatin. Allow to bloom for 5 minutes.

Step 13

Puree 2 cups Blueberries in a blender, or food processor.

Step 14

In a medium-sized saucepan add blueberry puree, remaining whole blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, and cook until juice darkens, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in bloomed gelatin, until well combined.

Step 15

Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

Step 16

Alternate filling the holes with a stripe of strawberry filling, and then blueberry filling. Gently work filling into holes.

Step 17

A little swirling is ok, but be careful not to over mix the strawberry, and blueberry together.

Step 18

Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, until set.

Step 19

When ready to serve make whip cream. Beat heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until medium peaks form.

Step 20

Taste whipping cream, and add additional sugar if desired.

Step 21

Spread whipping cream over the top of cake.

Step 22

You can garnish cake using strawberries, and blueberries to look like a flag.

Step 23

Or each serving can be garnished with a half of a strawberry, and a few blueberries.