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cake filling

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

June 10, 2020 By Ashley 8 Comments

Whenever I ask you guys what kind of recipes you want to see on the blog, more often than not, the request is for my cake recipes. As many of you know, I ran a wedding cake business up until the end of 2019. It was a lot of fun (and a lot of hard work) and I built a super successful business, but decided it was time to take a break to be able to spend more time with my family as well as blog and teach cake decorating full-time. The cake recipes I share here are mostly ones that I used for my business, tried and true client favorites that I have made for years. This strawberry rose buttermilk cake is a recipe I have made many, many, many times and is always a favorite.

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

My strawberry rose buttermilk cake is one of those cakes that combines flavors in such a way that they’re balanced, and light but straightforward in flavor. This cake is super fruity from the strawberries, and slightly floral from the rosewater, with a deep flavor and a bit of a tang from the super moist, and tender vanilla buttermilk cake.

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

About the mixing method

Let me tell you – this buttermilk cake is a KEEPER. It’s the perfect foundation for most fillings and frostings, and it makes for beautiful layer cakes. This buttermilk cake is mixed using the reverse creaming, or two stage method. Reverse creaming cakes have a tighter, more delicate and soft crumb. They tend to be more compact, with less of a rise compared to creamed cakes, and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Reverse creaming cakes can be delicate, so they are easiest to layer, carve, stack, etc. when they are chilled. The reverse creaming method gives me exactly what I’m looking for in a white/yellow cake base. This method of creaming and my recipe is partly adapted by Rose Levy Beranbaum’s The Cake Bible. In recent years, I’ve used a recipe I adapted from my dear friend, Liz over at Sugar Geek Show, from her book Artisan Cake Company’s Visual Guide to Cake Decorating, which is also an adapted recipe from The Cake Bible.

Check out Sugar Geek Show’s Cake Decorating Basics tutorials for beginners.

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

How to make the buttermilk cake

If you haven’t made a cake using this method, don’t be afraid of it. It’s super easy if you follow the notes on the stages of batter texture along the way in the recipe. And, while we’ve been conditioned to “mix until just combined” or “don’t over mix” so that we don’t over develop the gluten which would result in a tough cake, those rules don’t apply the same in this cake. In the instructions, butter is mixed into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Mixing the butter into the dry ingredients coats the flour, preventing too much gluten formation.

Then, a small amount of liquid is added, just until the dry ingredients are *just* moistened and the mixture is beaten on medium-high for two full minutes until lightened in color, and thick like soft-serve ice cream. This mixing is crucial as it helps to form the structure of your cake. The remaining wet ingredients are added in three parts. The cake batter will be a bit on the thicker side.

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

You will also notice that this recipe doesn’t have baking soda, but uses all baking powder instead. A bit unusual considering there is an acidic ingredient – buttermilk. Baking soda neutralizes the acid in the buttermilk, and also contributes to the rise of the cake. Too much acid can prevent the cake from developing the proper structure, but also can prevent it from browning. So, why did I skip on the baking soda then? Neutralizing the buttermilk also tames the flavor.  I wanted full buttermilk flavor. This cake is not too acidic without the baking soda so it browns well and rises properly.

For this recipe, a scale is also required. Scratch cakes can be tricky to make sometimes, and the baking science is very important in the making and baking of scratch cake. We need cakes to be consistent in taste and texture, and bake up with no problems – no sinking, no overflowing, no rubbery layers, etc. A scale is key in getting consistent results. I use this one from Amazon. This recipe will not work if you convert it to volume (cups) measurements.

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

I also do not recommend using this recipe for cupcakes. This recipe is designed to bake up somewhat flat, and is also more compact. I use a different, slightly less delicate recipe for cupcakes (it’s ah-mazing) that can accompany all sorts of fillings and frostings that I’ll share soon.

About the Italian meringue buttercream

For this cake, I opted to use velvety smooth Italian meringue buttercream. My how-to post for Italian meringue buttercream can be found here. The strawberry buttercream is super fruity, silky and smooth, with just a hint of rose water. To really get a super concentrated strawberry flavor, I recommend using a jam (homemade or store bought) over a puree. Purees aren’t as concentrated in flavor and can be a bit watery. I’ve provided my strawberry reduction jam in the recipe. Really, strawberries and rose go together like peanut butter and jelly. They compliment each other really well and are amazing when paired with the buttermilk cake. However, you can omit the rosewater if you wish- this cake will still be amazing.

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

I decorated my strawberry rose buttermilk cake with fresh strawberries and edible dried rose petals. I love the delicate, romantic look of it.

In the pictures of the cake in this post, the cake was sliced while it was slightly chilled. Cutting a chilled cake allows for the cake to not fall apart when cutting it, but also it makes for neat and tidy slices. Serve the cake at room temperature.

For more cake and cupcake recipes, check out these recipes:

Black Forest Cupcakes

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Stout Cake

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake
Print Recipe
4.86 from 7 votes

Strawberry Rose Buttermilk Cake

This strawberry rose buttermilk is super fruity from the strawberries, and slightly floral from the rosewater, with a deep flavor and a bit of a tang from the super moist, and tender vanilla buttermilk cake. 
This recipe yields 2-8" cakes, both just under 2" tall. For a loftier 3-layer cake, make a batch and a half.
Prep Time1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Stacking and Decorating30 mins
Total Time2 hrs 10 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, layer cake, strawberry buttercream, strawberry rose, strawberry rose buttermilk cake, swiss meringue buttercream
Servings: 24 1x2x5 slices

Equipment

  • Electric Stand Mixer
  • Bake Even Strips (optional)

Ingredients

Quick Strawberry Jam

  • 3 cups (680g) fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1/3 cup (66g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Buttermilk Cake

  • 14 oz (397g) unbleached cake flour
  • 14 oz (397g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 8 oz (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 oz (57g) canola oil
  • 10 oz (284g) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Strawberry Italian Meringue Buttercream

  • 12 oz (339g) strawberry jam
  • 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon rose water, to taste
  • 1 batch of Italian meringue buttercream

Instructions

Make the quick strawberry jam:

  • Combine the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a large saucepan.
  • Place the pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the strawberries are softened.
  • Using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon, smash the strawberries to release their juices and break them up.
  • Simmer the mixture for 30- 45 minutes, or until the mixture is reduced and has thickened.
  • Push the hot strawberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Discard the leftover pulp.
  • Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Strawberry Buttercream:

  • Mix the cooled strawberry jam into the prepared Italian meringue buttercream. Add 1/2 cup/4oz at a time, to ensure the jam gets thoroughly mixed into the buttercream.

Make the buttermilk cake:

  • Heat the oven to 350F. Prepare your cake pans. Brush the bottoms and sides of your cake pans with melted butter. Line the bottoms and sides with parchment paper.
  • Combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla in medium bowl. Whisk to thoroughly combine. Pour 40z/113g of the wet ingredients into a separate mixing cup.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. On low speed, mix for 1 minute.
  • With the mixer still running, add in the softened butter chunks, one or two pieces at a time. Mix until the mixture resembles cornmeal. You should be able to gather a bit in your hand, squeeze and you have a solid piece. This means the butter is evenly distributed.
  • With the mixer still on low, pour in the 4oz of liquid and mix until the flour mixture is moistened.
  • Turn the mixer speed to medium (4 or 6) and whip for *two full* minutes. The mixture should be whipped up, thick, and lighter in color.
  • Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is properly mixed.
  • With the mixer speed on low, add the remaining wet ingredients in three parts, scraping down the bowl after each addition has been mixed in.
  • Once all the wet ingredients have been added, give the bowl a final scrape and mix with a spatula. Evenly divide the batter among the prepared pans.
  • Bake the layers for 35-45 minutes. Check the cake at 30-35 minutes to test for doneness. If a toothpick comes out clean, and the top of the cake feels springy and set when touched, take the cakes out.
  • Tap the cake once, firmly against the counter to remove excess steam. If your cakes dome at all, use a clean kitchen towel to gently push the domes down. Cool the cakes for 15 minutes in the pans.
  • Run a palette or butter knife around the cakes in their pans before turning them out to cool completely on cooling racks.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator a couple hours.
  • In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the strawberry jam at little at a time, rosewater and Italian buttercream.
  • Be sure to mix on low and mix in a little bit of the jam at a time so that the buttercream doesn't separate.
  • Torte the cake for 4 layers. Fill and frost the cake. Finish with fresh cut strawberries and edible/food safe rose bud petals.

Filed Under: Cakes and Cupcakes Tagged With: buttercream, buttermilk, buttermilk cake, cake, cake filling, italian meringue buttercream, layer cake, rose, strawberry

Italian Meringue Buttercream

June 8, 2020 By Ashley 2 Comments

Italian meringue buttercream is the lighter, fluffier, more stable cousin to the ever popular Swiss meringue buttercream. Both Italian and Swiss buttercreams are similar as they are light, silky smooth, and melt in your mouth. They both create a smooth cake surface and chill firmly for sturdy stacking and transportation. The main difference between Swiss and Italian is in the preparation of the meringue.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

The Italian method of boiling sugar and water to a high temperature to create a sugar syrup and then adding it to soft peak egg whites, allows for a more stable meringue, or a meringue that will not deflate or breakdown easily over time. This is especially beneficial when using this buttercream for a cake for an outdoor event or on a warm day. With caution of course. If you frost a cake with any butter based buttercream and leave it outside in the sun in mid-July in the Midwest, it’s destined to be a buttery messy puddle quickly. But, for moderately warmer temps, it is the best butter based buttercream to use.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

Egg whites and cream of tartar whipped to soft peaks.

Both Swiss and Italian meringue buttercream contain mostly the same ingredients – egg whites, sugar, butter, salt and flavoring. The exception is that Italian meringue buttercream usually uses some sort of stabilizer (cream of tartar, salt) which stabilizes the egg whites during beating, before the sugar syrup is added.

How to make Italian meringue buttercream

Italian meringue buttercream is made by combining sugar and water into a saucepan and boiling until softball stage, or about 240-245F. As with caramel, mix together the sugar and water. Then stop stirring. You don’t want to create sugar crystals – which would give you crunchy bits in your otherwise silky smooth buttercream. While the sugar is boiling, whip up the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment until soft peaks form. When the sugar mixture reaches temperature, remove from the heat and turn your mixer up to medium-high speed. Drizzle the *very* hot sugar mixture into the bowl, between the side of the bowl and the whisk attachment.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

Sugar syrup has been added, and the meringue has been cooled and beaten to stiff peaks.

Continue to mix on medium-high until the outside of the bowl is just lukewarm to the touch, or the mixture is at 80F. Really though, don’t stress about having exactly 80F meringue here -I’m really just giving you a temperature as a guide. Just feeling that the bowl is lukewarm means it’s ready for the butter. You can wrap the bowl with ice packs or cold towels to help cool the meringue down faster if you wish.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

Right after all the butter was added. A bit deflated, lumpy and thin. Keep mixing!

Same as with Swiss buttercream, softened butter is added to the bowl piece by piece until all the butter is added. The buttercream will deflate a bit, and it is quite possible the buttercream will curdle or look thin, like cake batter,  but keep going. Oftentimes, meringue buttercreams go through an ugly, sloppy mess before coming together and looking more like buttercream. Once the buttercream has come back together, let it mix on low speed for a while – 5-10 minutes or so, to get rid any air bubbles. Air bubbles in buttercream under a fondant cake can result in blow-outs and bubbling fondant. The end result will be perfectly smooth, beautiful, fluffy, light and silky buttercream.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

The buttercream is fluffy, light and smooth. Those little holes and divots are air bubbles. Mix on low for 10 more minutes to smooth them out.

Troubleshooting Italian meringue buttercream

*The buttercream can be refrigerated and also freezes well. Bring to room temperature before rewhipping, otherwise the buttercream will separate. If this happens, heat the metal mixing bowl with a kitchen torch while continuing to whip. Stop applying heat when the buttercream comes together.

*Color meringue buttercream with gel color, or ideally chocolate colors (which are oil based). Do not use liquid color as it can dilute the buttercream.

*If at the end of mixing, your buttercream is a liquidy, soupy mess, pop in the refrigerator for 15-25 minutes to cool it down. Look for the edges of the buttercream to start to harden, then it should be ready to whip again. Repeat this process again if necessary.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

*Keep going! If you have whipped up your egg whites and heated your syrup to the correct temperature, the rest of the process is pretty foolproof. If it is curdled, separated, lumpy, the butter was too cold, etc. Keep mixing. It might take a bit longer but keep mixing and it will come together.

*Italian meringue buttercream can hold quite a bit of flavorings. When adding liquids, such as fruit purees and other liquids, mix in a little at a time. The liquid needs to be able to emulsify into the buttercream. Another reason you want to add a little bit of liquid at a time, is that adding too much liquid can cause the buttercream to become unstable. I recommend reducing your fruit purees into concentrates before adding to the buttercream. You can also use pulverized freeze dried berries for fruity variations as well.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

The recipe below is for vanilla bean Italian meringue buttercream. But the flavor options are endless. Here are a few popular flavors to experiment with. Adjust the quantities to suit your taste. I like my buttercream flavors as concentrated as possible.

*Chocolate – Add 3 cups (600g) bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled to room temperature, to a batch of buttercream

*Fruit flavors – Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups reduced fruit puree, preserves or curd per batch

*Nut Butters, Cookie Butters, Caramel- Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups per batch

*Boozy – Add 1/4 – 1/3 cup flavored liqueur such as Bailey’s, Champagne,  Amaretto, etc. per batch

For more information on meringue based buttercream, check out my post on Swiss meringue buttercream here.

Italian Meringue Buttercream
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Italian Meringue Buttercream

A fluffy, silky and smooth not-so-sweet meringue based buttercream, that is more stable than Swiss meringue buttercream but lighter in taste and texture. Perfect for all types of flavors and add ins.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: buttercream, frosting, italian meringue buttercream

Equipment

  • Electric Stand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 9-10 (300g) large egg whites
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2 ½ cups (500g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120g) water
  • 3 ½ cups (793g) unsalted butter, room temperature, cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

  • Place the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
  • In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and the water over medium-high heat. Stir to moisten the sugar.
  • Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan. Boil the sugar and water mixture. Do not stir.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar.
  • On medium speed, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks, about 1-2 minutes.
  • When the sugar syrup reaches 240F, remove the saucepan from the heat. Turn the speed of the mixer to high, and very carefully and slowly pour the hot syrup in a thin and steady stream into the bowl, pouring between the bowl and the whisk attachment so that the sugar syrup doesn't splatter. Don't rush.
  • Once the sugar syrup is added, continue to whip until stiff peaks form and the bowl is lukewarm to the touch, about 10-15 minutes. You can wrap the bowl with ice packs to speed up this process, if you wish.
  • Switch to the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low speed, add the softened butter, a few pieces at a time, mixing until the butter disappears into the meringue.
  • After all the butter has been added, increase the speed to medium and whip until thick, and fluffy.
  • Reduce the speed to low. Add the vanilla and salt, and beat for an additional 5-10 minutes to minimize the air bubbles.

Notes

Buttercream can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerated for 1 week in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months.

Filed Under: Frostings and Fillings Tagged With: buttercream, cake, cake filling, frosting, italian meringue buttercream, meringue

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Hi, I’m Ashley! Welcome to the Little Vintage Baking blog – where you will find recipes, tutorials, resources and more for bakers and cake decorators.
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