Strawberry cake is a cake that uses strawberry as a primary ingredient.[3] Strawberries may be used in the cake batter, atop the cake, and in the frosting. Strawberry cakes are typically served cold.
Overview
Strawberry cakes may be prepared with strawberries in the batter,[4] with strawberries atop them,[3] with strawberries or a strawberry filling in between the layers of a layer cake,[5] and in any combination thereof. Some are prepared with strawberries incorporated into a frosting.[6][7] Fresh or frozen strawberries may be used.[3][8] However, using cooked strawberries tends to lose its flavor and turn brown while frozen strawberries are mostly sweeter and riper.[9] Some may utilize strawberry-flavored gelatin as an ingredient,[8][7] which can give the cake a pink color when it is mixed in with the batter.[10] A garnish of strawberries is used on some strawberry cakes.[3] Strawberry cake may be prepared as a gluten-free dish.[11] The cake can be served with icing on top and sides of the cake.
Some versions are served chilled,[5][12] and some are frozen and then served in a partially frozen state.[13] Strawberry cake is sometimes prepared using a prepared cake mix as a base, such as a white cake mix, upon which additional ingredients are added to the batter or atop the cake.[14] It is sometimes prepared and served as a dish on Valentine's Day.[15]
In pre-colonial days, Wild strawberries were abundant in North America.[22] Native Americans often ate fresh and dried strawberries.[23] Native Americans would create strawberry bread by mashing wild strawberries and adding cornmeal as a primary ingredient. Around 1607, Strawberry bread became popular with the early settlers.[24] Besides Native Americans, Europeans discovered how wild strawberries are better in North America than in Europe due to its bigger size and its exquisite flavor.[25]
Growth of strawberries marked the end of winter for Native Americans. Europeans have combined their version and created strawberry shortcake.[26]
One of the earliest references of a strawberry cake recipe can be found in the journal Ohio Cultivator in 1845.[27] In 1847, the same recipe appears in the book Lady's Receipt-Book by Eliza Leslie.[28]
Gallery
A strawberry cake prepared in the shape of a snake
In March 2015 at the La Trinidad Strawberry Festival, 6,000 slices of strawberry cake were served as part of the events.[30] The cakes for the slices were prepared using fresh strawberries.[30] Additional foods served at the event included strawberry cupcakes, strawberry kutsinta (a steamed rice cake) and strawberry wine.[30] Some bakeries and restaurants purvey strawberry cake as a part of their fare.[31]
Japan
In early 20th century, Fujii Rin'emo travelled to United States to study Westerned styled food. When he returned to Japan, he made his own version of strawberry cake by using primary ingredients like strawberry, whipped cream, and sponge cakes.[32] It is popular tradition to eat Strawberry Cake during Christmas season.[32]
^National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). "Chapter 4: Potassium: Dietary Reference Intakes for Adequacy". In Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). pp. 120–121. doi:10.17226/25353. ISBN978-0-309-48834-1. PMID30844154. Retrieved 2024-12-05.