Sofia Nordgren: Simple summer cake

Summer is often a time for celebration. Vacations, graduations, birthdays – there are many reasons to celebrate. And is there a better time to celebrate than this season? The long, warm summer evenings are perfect for gathering all your friends and family. Or maybe an afternoon get-together with coffee and summer cake. Catch up and let the kids play together in the garden. It’s not just the big things that deserve to be celebrated though, why not honour a special friendship or the arrival of summer? No matter who, what and how you want to celebrate, you just need a simple and tasty summer cake recipe. A straightforward one that also amateur bakers can master. My favourite summer cake requires few ingredients but is both delicious and beautiful in all its simplicity.

AMOUNT: the summer cake recipe makes 1 layer, you need 2

INGREDIENTS:

Summer Cake

150 ml aquafaba (chickpea broth) or 3 eggs

110 g caster sugar

105 g all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

Filling

100 ml heavy cream (milk or plant-based), whipped

10-15 strawberries, cut in slices

Topping

100 ml heavy cream (milk or plant-based), whipped

Fresh summer berries, e.g. strawberries, currants and raspberries

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

2. Add aquafaba (or eggs) and caster sugar to a bowl and beat until fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl, combine all-purpose flour and baking powder.

4. Add the flour mixture to the aquafaba and stir until smooth.

5. Line a 15 cm cake pan with baking parchment and pour the batter into the pan.

6. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until light golden.

7. Let cool for about 15 minutes in the pan, then transfer the cake to a wire rack and let cool completely.

8. Repeat steps 1-7 to make a second cake layer.

9. Assembly: Place one of the cake layers on a cake stand. Cover with strawberry slices and a thick layer of whipped cream. Place the second cake layer on top and cover it with whipped cream. Top with fresh summer berries of your choice. Serve immediately!