Strawberry Charlotte

Delightful!

Ingredients
Strawberry purée
454 grams (16 oz) frozen unsweetened strawberries
50 grams (1/4 cup) granulated white sugar, or to taste
Freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)

Sponge cake
3 large eggs
75 grame (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp) granulated white sugar
2.5ml (1/2 tsp) pure vanilla extract
85 grams (1/2 cup + 2 tbsp) all purpose flour
(1/8 tsp) salt
28 grams (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted

Strawberry cream
180ml (3/4 cup) strawberry purée
240ml (1 cup) heavy whipping cream
7 grams (1/4 oz) unflavored powdered gelatin

Plus
60ml (1/4 cup) strawberry puree
8-10 large Strawberries
60ml (1/4 cup) strained apricot preserves

Preparation
Strawberry purée
1. Place the unsweetened frozen strawberries in a large bowl and thaw. This may take a few hours.
2. Once thawed, put the strawberries and their juice in the bowl of a food processor or blender and process the berries until they are pureed.
3. Pour the puree into a 500ml (2 cup) measuring cup. You need 1 cup of puree. If you have extra puree, cover, and place in the refrigerator for another use (great over ice cream).
4. Add the sugar to the puree and stir until the sugar dissolves. Taste and add more sugar if needed. Can also add a little lemon juice to taste.
The puree can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one week

Sponge cake
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and place rack in center of oven.
2.Butter and line the bottom of an 20 cm (8 inch) cake pan with parchment paper.
3. In your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on high speed for about five minutes, or until they are thick, fluffy and light colored (when you slowly raise the beaters the batter will fall back into the bowl in a slow ribbon).
4. Add the vanilla extract and beat until incorporated.
5. In a small bowl whisk together the flour and salt. Sift 1/2 of the flour over the batter and gently fold through with a rubber spatula or whisk. Sift the remaining flour over the batter and fold in.
6. Whisk about 125ml (1/2 cup) of the batter into the melted butter (to lighten it) and then gently fold the butter mixture back into the rest of the batter.
7. Pour immediately into the prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes or until springy to the touch.
8. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Run a spatula or sharp knife around the inside of the pan and then invert the cake onto a wire rack. Remove parchment paper. Set aside.
The cake can be made a day or two in advance.

Strawberry cream
1. Chill your mixing bowl and whisk in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a small measuring cup stir together the gelatin and 60ml (1/4 cup)of the strawberry puree. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes and then microwave for a few seconds to dissolve the gelatin. Once the gelatin has dissolved, stir the gelatin mixture into the remaining 120ml (1/2 cup) of strawberry puree. Set aside while you whip the cream.
3. Remove the mixing bowl and whisk from the freezer, and beat the cream until soft peaks form.
4. Add the strawberry puree mixture and continue to beat the cream until stiff peaks form. Taste and fold in a little sugar, if needed. To assemble the Charlotte 1. Place the cooled cake layer on the bottom of a20 cm (8 inch) springform pan.
2. Spread 60 ml (1/4 cup) of strawberry purée over the top of the sponge cake.
3. Halve the strawberries and fit them, snugly, on top of the cake with the cut sides facing the outside edge of the pan.
4. Fill the center of the cake with the the strawberry whipped cream.
5. Smooth the top, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and chill for about 2-3 hours so the cream has time to set.
The charlotte can be made up to this point and refrigerated for a day before serving.

To unmold and serve
Several hours before serving, gently remove the sides of the springform pan. Heat the apricot preserves in a small saucepan over low heat until barely warmed. Then, using a pastry brush, glaze the cut surfaces of the strawberries and the outside edge of the cake. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. If desired, decorate the top of the cake with a whole strawberry.

Makes 8-10 servings

Source "An A-Z of Food & Drink" by John Ayto