Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Daring Bakers - Fraisier


I joined The Daring Bakers way back in January 2008 because I was keen to attempt some of the gorgeous desserts and cakes that they were making.  Regular readers of my blog know that I am a sucker for a pretty yet tasty cake, so it will be of no surprise to you that I adored this month's Daring Bakers challenge - the Fraisier.

Jana of Cherry Tea Cakes was our July Daring Bakers’ host and she challenges us to make Fresh Frasiers inspired by recipes written by Elisabeth M. Prueitt and Chad Robertson in the beautiful cookbook Tartine.

Prior to this challenge, the only "Frasier" I had heard of was the wise-cracking psychiatrist of the same name played by Kelsey Grammer in the long-running US TV series of the same name.  However, this Fraisier is a far tastier dish, comprised as it is of two layers of chiffon cake, filled with a custard cream and strawberries ("les fraises" in French, and I imagine the origin of the name of the cake).  

I made my Fraisier straight down the line - a vanilla chiffon cake, with vanilla custard cream and strawberries. The recipe for the challenge had almond paste on top, but I am not a fan, and instead dusted the top of my cake with icing sugar.
Without further ado, here are some photos of my cake.  This is the chiffon cake, which rises very high in an 8 inch cake tin:




Here is a peek inside the cut cake:



 
And finally, here is a slice of this irresistable, light as a feather cake:




I didn't have an 8" springform pan, so I lined the sides of an ordinary cake tin with a false bottom with acetate.  This meant that it was difficult for me to get my cake out as cleanly as I would have liked, but I think it still looks pretty good - I would buy it if I saw it in a shop.

This cake got a pretty good rap at work too, so I was overall happy with the result.

Thanks to our host Jana for choosing a challenge that is just my kind of dessert - she will have the recipe.  To check out the infinite variety of Fraisiers put forward by the Daring Bakers, check out the slide show at The Daring Kitchen on 27 July (US time).

20 comments:

  1. Never heard of Frasier cake either. But chiffon custard cream and strawberries sounds absolutely divine

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  2. It looks delicious! I might have actually enjoyed doing that one. I would have totally had a Frasier marathon while eating my Frasier.

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  3. wow! this looks quite sinful. love it! just found your blog, can't wait to browse around :)
    -minibaker

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  4. Woow I lovw akelaw look amazing!! gloria

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  5. I would buy that cake too! Lovely! You make me want to try making some fancy cakes.

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  6. Great effort! I didn't get a chance this month, fingers crossed for the next challenge! :)

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  7. LOL I know I kept thinking of Kelsey Grammer when I saw this cake which is kind of a weird person to think of lol. Great job Cakelaw!

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  8. They look so so good and yumm.

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  9. I too can't resist a tasty cake. Your strawberry filled center looks delicious. Nice job on the challenge!

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  10. Aha, this is most definitely a tastier dish. (Sorry, Kelsey.)

    Your fraisier looks delicious. I just want to grab a fork and dig in. There's something about all that soft airy sponge and billowing cream ... I'd buy it in a shop, for sure.

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  11. I had to laugh because the only Frasier I have heard of is the same one as you! :) I have not heard of a Frasier cake before, but it looks wonderful!

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  12. Your cake turned out amazing! Great job!

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  13. This looks scrumptious! Thank you for adding my blog as a favourite. Nice to meet you :-)

    Joe

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  14. This looks like the perfect cake to make for my husband's birthday next week. We have been discussing this momentous decision for two days. Thanks.

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  15. I also loved this challenge, the Fraisier is indeed delicious. My chiffon cake wasn't as perfect as your though...yours looks fabulous!

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  16. Fantastic job on your Frasier! It looks purely perfect! :)

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  17. I would definitely buy this in a shop, though I'd rather have a slice of yours, or make one myself, or all 3, who am I kidding? I think you have the luckiest colleagues in the southern hemisphere!

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  18. Great job on the Frasier. I am sorry I dropped DB since y'all have been doing so many lovely things.

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  19. This looks just so beautiful. This is my kind of dessert, too!

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Thanks for dropping by!