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Fruit Basket Cake

17/11/2023

The fruit basket cake is an aesthetically striking dessert that resembles, as the name suggests, a basket full of colorful fruit. Here I present you a simple and tasty version to create a dramatic effect that will amaze your guests.

Ingredients

For the cake base:

  • 200 g of all-purpose flour
  • 100 g of cold butter, cubed
  • 80 g of powdered sugar
  • 1 medium egg
  • A pinch of salt

For the custard cream:

  • 500 ml of whole milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 40 g of all-purpose flour
  • 1 vanilla pod (or vanilla extract)

For decoration:

  • Assorted fresh fruit (strawberries, kiwi, grapes, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.)
  • Neutral gelatin for glazing (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start with the cake base: in a bowl, mix the flour with cold butter until you have a sandy mixture. Add the powdered sugar, the egg, and a pinch of salt. Work the dough quickly until it forms a ball, wrap it in cling film and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, prepare the custard cream. Heat the milk in a saucepan with the split vanilla pod to release the seeds. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until they become light and fluffy. Add the flour and continue mixing. Slowly pour the hot milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

  3. Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Transfer the cream into a bowl, cover it with cling film touching the surface and let it cool completely.

  4. Take the cake base out of the refrigerator, roll it out into a previously buttered and floured cake tin, creating a high edge. Prick the bottom with a fork and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes, or until golden. Let it cool.

  5. Once both the base and the cream have cooled, pour the cream onto the base and level it off.

  6. Wash and dry the fresh fruit thoroughly, then arrange it decoratively on the cream, creating your “mosaic” of fruit that resembles the colors and abundance of a fruit basket.

  7. If desired, to add gloss to the fruit, gently brush with dissolved and cooled neutral gelatin.

Note: You can get creative with your choice of fruit for the decoration, adapting it to the seasons or personal preferences.

This cake is perfect for the summer when the fruit is in the peak of its season and is sweet and juicy. It’s also an elegant way to present a dessert that includes a good dose of freshness and vitamins!