Strawberry Angel Food Cake and Weekend Ladies Retreat
There's really nothing better than a ladies weekend retreat, especially when everyone in attendance can cook like rock stars and are bosom friends.
A Little Backstory
A few months ago, I was invited to be head chef for $250.00 a plate Charity Fundraiser. I was super exited to share my 6 course bacon forward menu with the guests and raise money for the charity; all while spending quality time in the kitchen with my friends and Sous chefs Judy B. and Sherry B. Travel plans were set weeks in advance, but sadly, the event was cancelled just a short time before our scheduled appearance.
Making Lemonade
Instead of feeling upset over losing the gig, we decided to lift our spirits by making lemonade. Together, we decided to meet up in Dallas and enjoy the weekend at an Airbnb with another dear, foodie friend, the @thejellyqueens Donna Collins. The timing was the perfect opportunity to visit Donna at her newly opened Jelly Shop in McKinney, Texas and share some much needed girl time.
Girl Power
What a glorious girls weekend we had together! Laughing, eating, crying, conversations about life, God and all things foodie until the wee hours of the morning…we were all blessed beyond measure! ❤️ I love making lemonade! 😉
Strawberry Angel Food Cake
Celebrating Life and Those We have Loved and Lost
We cooked and ate a lot of delicious meals during our time together but one recipe stands out from the rest -- Strawberry Angel Food Cake. The scrumptious, scratch-made angel food cake recipe comes from The Jelly Queens (Donna's) sweet momma, Lois Anderson.
Donna told us that her momma has served this cake ever since she was a child at every birthday, holiday, wedding, and many other celebrations. I enjoyed it so much I had to make it again and even more so, the memories we forged during our time celebrating the life of lost loved ones and savoring every last bite.
With permission from Donna and momma Lois Anderson, I'm happy to share this delightful recipe with you.
In At Home with Rebecka style, I couldn't help but add few personal touches to the cake. I frosted the cake with my favorite Mascarpone whipped cream, added a layer of vanilla creme anglaise made using the leftover egg yolks, and in addition to the fresh strawberries, added a few fresh raspberry and blueberries.
Strawberry Angel Food Cake
Equipment
- Large Tube Pan
- 1 medium piping bag
- 1 Wilton Drop Flower Pipping Tip 2C
Ingredients
- 1-¼ cups large egg whites about 9
- 1-½ cups sugar divided
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1-¼ teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Strawberry Whip Cream and Filling
- 2 12-ounce containers fresh strawberries washed, divided
- 1 ½ cup granulated sugar divided
- 2 cups heavy whip cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 6-ounce container mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup mixed raspberries, blueberries
- mint for garnish
Vanilla Creme Anglaise
- 1 cups heavy whip cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar divided
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- 4 jumbo eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
- Sift ½ cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.
- Place oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat oven to 350°.
- Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually fold in flour mixture, about ½ cup at a time.
- Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake until lightly browned and entire top appears dry, 35-40 minutes.
- Immediately invert pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to serving plate.
Strawberry Whip Cream and Filling
- Wash and pat strawberries dry. Pick the very nicest berries (about 15) in various sizes and set aside until ready to build the cake. Remove green stems from the remaining berries and cut the berries in half. Place the cut berries in a medium sauce pan over meduim heat with sugar. Cook until berries are soft.
- Place a fine seive over a galss bowl. Drain berries reserving all the liquid. Place the berries in a bowl and refrigerate
- In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, sugar, mascarpone cheese, ½ cup of sugar, and extracts.Whip until stiff peaks form. Add ¼ cup of the reserved srawberry liquid to the whippped cream and continue to beat on low to incorporate. Add more of the syrup until the whipped cream is pink in color, whipping of low after each addition.
Vanilla Creme Anglaise
- Bring heavy cream, ¼ cup sugar and vanilla bean to simmer in a small to medium-sized sauce pot.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and other ¼ cup sugar together until frothy.
- While stirring, slowly add about ½ of the heavy cream mixture to the eggs. Stir together gently. Pour the egg mixture into the pot of remaining heavy cream. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spatula or spoon. About 5-8 minutes
- Stir in the vanilla extract and remove from heat. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a container. Place the container in refrigerator until cool.
Build the Cake
- Once the cake is cooled, use a sharp serrated knife to cut the cake into three rings/slicesSpread the cooled strawberry jam over the bottom layer and smoothe about 1 cup whipped cream mixture over the jam. Evenly distribute a few sliced strawberries, blueberries and raspberries over the cream.
- Place the next layer of cake. Pipe some of the whipped cream around the edges of the cake. Be sure to pipe some near the hole left by the tub pan as well. Fill the remaining area with cream. Add more berries
- Add the top layer of cake. Tuck about ¼ cup mixed berries into the hole left by the tube pan. Reserve 1 cup whipped cream and then spread the rest over the top of the cake. Smooth with an off-set spatula. Frost the side of the cake with a thin layer of remaining whipped cream to create a beautiful "Naked Cake"
- Decorate cake with fresh berries and mint. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. ENJOY!
Notes
Future Collaborations
In the very near future, I will be collaborating with The Jelly Queens by reviewing some of the amazing food products made and sold at Donna's new Jelly shop in McKinney, Texas. Stay tuned for some yummy recipes and ways to order The Jelly Queens products.
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