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LEMON & STRAWBERRY CHECKERBOARD CAKE

LEMON & STRAWBERRY CHECKERBOARD CAKE

Crafted for a grand celebration, this cake marries the zesty freshness of lemon with the sweet charm of strawberry, all enveloped in a silky Vanilla Swiss Buttercream. This cake promises to be the centerpiece of any gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 15 Slices
Calories 319 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the cake:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 whole eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3-1/4 cups cake flour (I used a gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp strawberry preserves (I used an organic strawberry jam)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

For the Vanilla Swiss Buttercream:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 3 sticks plus 2 tbsp (softened)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

For the cake:

  • Pre-heat oven to 175C (350F). Grease and flour 4 x 6-inch round cake pans and set aside.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth. Add in the sugar. With the mixer on medium speed, mix together until fluffy — about 3-4 minutes.
  • Turn the mixer down to low and add in the vanilla, eggs, and egg yolk, one at a time. Mix until combined. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  • Add in half of the flour mixture and mix on low until just combined. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the milk. Add in the second half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined (don’t over mix!).
  • Separate the batter into 2 mixing bowls (I weighed the full amount and divided by two). Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and yellow food coloring to one bowl. Fold the batter (don’t over mix) until combined and even in color. Add the strawberry preserves and pink food coloring to the other bowl. Fold the batter until combined and even in color.
  • Evenly distribute the batter into the cake pans so that you have two pans of each color. Bake for about 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
  • Cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes before removing the cakes from their pans.

For the Vanilla Swiss Buttercream:

  • Whisk egg whites and sugar together in a big metal bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk occasionally until you can’t feel the sugar granules when you rub the mixture between your fingers.
  • Transfer mixture into the mixer and beat until it turns pale and doubles in volume. Add the vanilla, then add the butter, 100g (1 stick) at a time. Continue to beat for several minutes, or as needed, until the mixture moves past the curdled looking stage and becomes light and smooth.

To assemble: (Check out the process photos in the link to Brit.co above)

  • Once the cakes have completely cooled, use a long serrated knife to carefully level each cake so that they’re the same height.

If you have cookie cutters:

  • Using the 4-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers of each cake.
  • Using the 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers of each of the 4-inch cake pieces.

If you don't have cookie cutters:

  • Cut out a 4-inch and 2-inch circle out of baking paper. Place the 4-inch circle over top of one of the cakes, centering it carefully, then poke 4 skewers or pins into the 4 sides of the paper to hold it down while you cut around the circle with a sharp thin knife. (It helps to turn the cake as you go so that the knife remains in one place. Also, try to cut straight down and avoid cutting at an angle or the squares won’t look right). Repeat the process using the 2-inch circle, and then do the same process for all the cakes.

Assembly (continued)

  • Using just a small amount, carefully smear the insides of each cake ring with buttercream (I found a small offset spatula worked well for this).
  • Alternating colours, place the cake rings back inside of each other. There will be 2 layers with yellow outer and centre pieces and 2 layers with pink outer and centre pieces.
  • Place the bottom layer on a cake board or serving dish, then apply a thin, smooth layer of buttercream on top with an offset spatula.
  • Alternating colors, place the second layer on top and repeat. Continue with all 4 layers of cake.
  • Crumb coat the entire cake with buttercream (this is basically a very thin coating over the entire cake), then chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to set the cream.
  • Frost the outside of the cake with buttercream, then finish off the cake with a ruffled buttercream border and sprinkles.

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 195mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword Cake, Lemon Checkerboard Cake, Strawberry Checkerboard Cake
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