Strawberry Pazzo Cake With Herbed Crème Fraîche

Serves: 2

Hosea Feil

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

60

Spice

55

Sweetness

53

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1.5 tsps

Baking Powder

1

Egg

1 cup

Whole Milk

Directions:

1

For the Crème Fraîche: Stir together the crème fraîche and the herbs

2

Refrigerate and let sit for 30 minutes or overnight

3

For the Crème Fraîche: Stir together the crème fraîche and the herbs

4

Refrigerate and let sit for 30 minutes or overnight

5

For the Cake: Butter a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 8-by-8-inch enameled cast-iron baking pan (if cooking in the grill) or standard 8-by-8-inch baking pan (if baking in your oven)

6

(Don't put a standard baking pan inside your grill or over a fire

7

) Ignite the coals, turn a gas grill to high, or preheat an oven to 350°F

8

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt

9

Set aside

10

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars on medium speed until the mixture looks creamy, about 3 minutes

11

Slowly add the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix just until combined

12

Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until smooth with a creamy texture

13

Pour the batter into the buttered pan

14

Arrange the strawberry halves, cut-side down, on top of the cake batter

15

Don't overlap the berries; use just enough strawberries for one layer and set aside the rest to use as garnish

16

For the Cake: Butter a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 8-by-8-inch enameled cast-iron baking pan (if cooking in the grill) or standard 8-by-8-inch baking pan (if baking in your oven)

17

(Don't put a standard baking pan inside your grill or over a fire

18

) Ignite the coals, turn a gas grill to high, or preheat an oven to 350°F

19

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt

20

Set aside

21

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars on medium speed until the mixture looks creamy, about 3 minutes

22

Slowly add the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix just until combined

23

Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until smooth with a creamy texture

24

Pour the batter into the buttered pan

25

Arrange the strawberry halves, cut-side down, on top of the cake batter

26

Don't overlap the berries; use just enough strawberries for one layer and set aside the rest to use as garnish

27

TO BAKE IN A GRILL: When the grill reaches 350°F, slide in the cake, resting the pan on the grill rack, close the grill's lid and let it bake for at least 20 minutes with the grill lid closed

28

Test the cake: It's done when a skewer inserted into the center (but not in a strawberry) comes out clean and the cake is golden brown on top

29

TO BAKE IN A GRILL: When the grill reaches 350°F, slide in the cake, resting the pan on the grill rack, close the grill's lid and let it bake for at least 20 minutes with the grill lid closed

30

Test the cake: It's done when a skewer inserted into the center (but not in a strawberry) comes out clean and the cake is golden brown on top

31

TO BAKE IN AN OVEN: Bake for 10 minutes and then decrease the heat to 325°F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes

32

The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the center (but not in a strawberry) comes out clean and the cake is golden brown on top

33

TO BAKE IN AN OVEN: Bake for 10 minutes and then decrease the heat to 325°F and bake for an additional 45 to 50 minutes

34

The cake is done when a skewer inserted into the center (but not in a strawberry) comes out clean and the cake is golden brown on top

35

For the Glaze: While the cake is baking, in a small pan combine the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and black pepper

36

Bring to a boil over high heat and remove from the heat right away

37

Set it aside until the cake has baked

38

It should be the consistency of maple syrup; if it thickens too much before the cake comes out of the oven, stir in a few more spoonfuls of vinegar

39

As soon as the cake comes off the heat, drizzle the top with about three-fourths of the balsamic glaze

40

When the cake has cooled, cut it into wedges if baked in a skillet; if baked in a standard baking pan, cut it into squares

41

To garnish simply, top with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar

42

To dress up the cake, spoon several tablespoons of the Roasted Strawberries onto one side of each plate; on the other side of the plate drizzle a small pool of the balsamic glaze, and smear it lightly with the back of a spoon

43

Drizzle more balsamic glaze over the cake if you like

44

Set a cake slice on top the strawberry syrup, and top the cake with a spoonful of Herbed Crème Fraîche

45

Spoon any remaining crème fraîche into a bowl and set on a platter with leftover halved strawberries to pass so guests can add extra if they like

46

For the Glaze: While the cake is baking, in a small pan combine the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and black pepper

47

Bring to a boil over high heat and remove from the heat right away

48

Set it aside until the cake has baked

49

It should be the consistency of maple syrup; if it thickens too much before the cake comes out of the oven, stir in a few more spoonfuls of vinegar

50

As soon as the cake comes off the heat, drizzle the top with about three-fourths of the balsamic glaze

51

When the cake has cooled, cut it into wedges if baked in a skillet; if baked in a standard baking pan, cut it into squares

52

To garnish simply, top with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar

53

To dress up the cake, spoon several tablespoons of the Roasted Strawberries onto one side of each plate; on the other side of the plate drizzle a small pool of the balsamic glaze, and smear it lightly with the back of a spoon

54

Drizzle more balsamic glaze over the cake if you like

55

Set a cake slice on top the strawberry syrup, and top the cake with a spoonful of Herbed Crème Fraîche

56

Spoon any remaining crème fraîche into a bowl and set on a platter with leftover halved strawberries to pass so guests can add extra if they like