RECIPE

Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients

225g unsalted butter

240g self raising flour

2tsp baking powder

1tsp salt

200g sugar

3 large free-range eggs

60ml double cream

1tsp lemon zest

1tsp vanilla extract

For the topping/ filling

650g strawberries

100g sugar

For the whipped cream

360ml cold double cream

1tbs sugar

1tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Grease a nine-inch-round cake pan, and whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

2. Beat the butter in a large bowl until fluffy, add the sugar and continue to beat.

3. In another bowl whisk the eggs and cream, add half the flour mixture and half the egg mixture to the creamed butter, and heat until combined. Then repeat.

4. Add the lemon zest and vanilla to the batter and beat for a further two minutes using a spoon or hand whisk.

5. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake tin. Spread the batter evenly.

6. Bake until a knife or skewer comes out clean and the top of the cake feels springy. This should take approximately 40 minutes.

7. Turn out onto a rack and allow to cool completely.

8. Whilst the cake cools, make the strawberry filling/topping.

9. Add 30ml of water to a pan, simmer to a medium heat, add the sugar and strawberries and cook for approximately five minutes. Leave to cool.

10. When ready to assemble the cake, whip the cream, sugar and vanilla until the mixture forms stiff peaks.

11. Using a serrated knife, cut the cake into sections horizontally (or alternatively bake separately), place on a cake stand or plate cut side up.

12. Spread a layer of whipped cream, and a layer of the strawberry mixture. Repeat until all layers are completed in between the sponge layers.

13. Finish by topping the cake with a layer of the whipped cream and a layer of the strawberries.

Tips on buying the perfect strawberries

1. Buy local, because berries that travel a long distance have to be picked before they're ripe, meaningless flavour.

2. Look for bright red strawberries.

3. Buy in-season strawberries.

4. Don't worry about size or shape.

5. Buy organic.