Il Cucinologo
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Fruit Crate Cake

17/11/2023

The fruit crate cake is an aesthetically suggestive dessert that recalls, indeed, a crate full of colorful fruit. Here I present a simple and tasty version to create a scenic effect that will amaze your guests.

Ingredients

Per the cake base:

  • 200 g of 00 flour
  • 100 g of cold butter in cubes
  • 80 g of powdered sugar
  • 1 medium egg
  • A pinch of salt

Per the pastry cream:

  • 500 ml of whole milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 40 g of 00 flour
  • 1 vanilla bean (or vanilla extract)

Per decoration:

  • Assorted fresh fruit (strawberries, kiwi, grapes, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.)
  • Neutral gelatin for glazing (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start with the cake base: in a bowl, mix the flour with the cold butter until you get a sandy mixture. Add the powdered sugar, the egg, and a pinch of salt. Quickly work the dough until it forms a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, prepare the pastry cream. Heat the milk in a saucepan together with the scored vanilla bean to release the seeds. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until they become light and frothy. Add the flour and continue mixing. Slowly pour in the hot milk, continuing to stir to avoid lumps.

  3. Transfer the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Transfer the cream to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and let cool completely.

  4. Take the cake base out of the refrigerator, roll it out in a previously buttered and floured cake pan, creating a high edge. Prick the bottom with a fork and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes, or until golden. Let cool.

  5. Once both the base and the cream have cooled, pour the cream onto the base and level it.

  6. Wash and dry the fresh fruit well, then arrange it decoratively on the cream, creating your “mosaic” of fruit that recalls the colors and abundance of a fruit crate.

  7. If desired, to give shine to the fruit, gently brush with dissolved and cooled neutral gelatin.

Note: You can go wild with the choice of fruit for decoration, adapting it to the seasons or personal preferences.

This cake is perfect for summer, when the fruit is at the peak of its season and is sweet and juicy. It is also an elegant way to present a dessert that includes a good dose of freshness and vitamins!