Delightful Strawberry Cake Recipe from the BBC

The BBC's strawberry cake recipe is a delightful treat that captures the essence of summer in every bite. This light and fluffy cake is perfect for any occasion, from afternoon tea to a summer garden party. Let's dive into this scrumptious recipe and make your taste buds dance.

Ingredients
Before we begin, let's gather our ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

- 225g (8oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 225g (8oz) caster sugar
- 4 medium eggs
- 225g (8oz) self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 4 tbsp milk
- 200g (7oz) strawberries, hulled and chopped
- For the topping:
- 200g (7oz) mascarpone cheese
- 50g (2oz) icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 200g (7oz) strawberries, hulled and sliced
Equipment

You'll also need a 20cm (8in) round cake tin, greased and lined with non-stick baking paper.
Method
Now that we have everything ready, let's start baking!

Step 1: Prepare the cake batter
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or Gas Mark 4. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. If the mixture starts to curdle, add a spoonful of the flour. Fold in the flour and baking powder, followed by the milk and chopped strawberries.

Step 2: Bake the cake
Spoon the cake batter into the prepared tin and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.




















Step 3: Prepare the topping
While the cake is cooling, make the topping. In a bowl, mix together the mascarpone cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread the mixture over the cooled cake and top with the sliced strawberries.
Serving and Storage
This strawberry cake is best enjoyed on the day it's made, but it will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Remember, the cake is quite delicate, so handle it with care when serving.
We hope you enjoy this delightful strawberry cake recipe from the BBC! Happy baking, and don't forget to share your creations with us on social media. Until next time, happy cooking!