Strawberry Cake - no artificial colour or flavour added!

Step 1

You will need to prepare this puree in advance so that it has time to cool before being added to the cake batter.

Step 2

In a small saucepan combine the strawberries and sugar and bring them to a gentle simmer.

Step 3

Continue to simmer stirring occasionally for a half hour or so until the volume of the berries has reduced by at least half.

Step 4

Allow the berries to cool before pureeing with an immersion blender or with a few pulses in a standard counter top blender. You will need a total of 1 1/4 cups of this puree for to make both the cake and the frosting. Any excess can be stored in a covered container and used as jam for your morning toast.

Step 5

Grease and flour two 8 or 9 inch cake pans. Line the bottoms with circles of parchment paper for easy release later. (You can also bake this cake in a large bundt pan which has been generously greased and then floured. The bundt pan may take extra time, just let the toothpick test be your guide.)

Step 6

Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.

Step 7

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 8

Sift together the all purpose flour, the cake flour, the baking powder and baking soda.

Step 9

Mix the strawberry puree with the whipping cream.

Step 10

Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture alternately with the cream and strawberry puree mixture. folding well after each addition.

Step 11

Always begin and end with the dry ingredients. As a general rule add the dry ingredients in 3 equal portions and the liquid ingredients in 2 equal portions.

Step 12

Bake at 325 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.

Step 13

Let the cakes rest in the pans for 5-10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 14

Cream together the butter with half of the icing sugar, then add the strawberry puree a couple of tablespoons at a time, alternately with some of the remaining icing sugar. Beat until smooth and spreadable.

Step 15

The moisture content in the strawberry puree will probably vary from batch to batch so you may need a little more icing sugar if the frosting is too soft or add a tablespoon or two of milk if it is too thick. You want a nice soft, spreadable consistency.

Step 16

Frost the cake with the finished icing and garnish with fresh strawberries.