It’s time again for our monthly Daring Baker’s challenge! This time it’s hosted by Peabody of the delectable blog, Culinary Concoctions by Peabody. I was really excited to make this challenge because I’ve never made a Strawberry Mirror cake much less a sponge cake. There was one foreseeable obstacle though. Harry Potter. My copy arrived last Wednesday and the only time I could make the mirror was that following Saturday.
Okay, let’s see. If I started reading right away and stayed up late all the nights leading up to the weekend, I could probably finish the book by then. So Wednesday night, I had read three chapters, Thursday I was more than halfway through the book. Speed reading took on a new meaning and no I did not peek at the ending. By Friday, I knew I would be done reading the book. Yehey! Now let’s just hope no hexes and spells fall upon my mirror cake!
I did encounter several problems in the making of the cake, but most of them could have been avoided. First, I overwhipped my egg whites. I was eager to use the new Kitchenaid 11-wire whisk but I was not used to its superior whisking power and ended up with slightly broken egg whites. This was probably why my cake did not rise much because I had squeezed all the air out of the whites. Second, I nearly used the pulp of the puree instead of the strained material; this would have made my cream full of strawberry bits without the flavor. It was a good thing I realized my mistake and had extra strawberries to redo the puree – still those were really good strawberries inadvertently dumped down the drain. Third, I forgot to apply oil on my springform-pan which made it difficult to unmold the cake.
I took immense pleasure in making the Bavarian cream. It was so good and the aroma of the strawberries so spellbinding I kept dragging the “Hungry” hubby to take a whiff of the heavenly mixture. “Here smell this…it is soo good!,” I would exclaim. I started to assemble the cake, pouring a layer of delicious cream on the top and the sides. Of course I couldn’t help licking the spatula and leftover cream from the bowl. It almost tasted like strawberry soft-served ice cream!
As I waited for my cake to set, I re-read some highlights of “The Deathly Hallows”. HH kept on interrogating me about who lived and who perished. I was tempted to keep him in suspense and make him read the book instead, but I relented and told him what he wanted to know. After going thru “The Missing Mirror” chapter, I thought I’d better prepare my own mirror – namely the strawberry mirror. What a fitting book to read together with this challenge. Harry Potter had encountered his own share of reflective surfaces. For example, the mirror of Erised was a mystical mirror that shows one’s utmost desperate desires. Well, what my heart desires most right now was to complete this challenge, I thought.
I think I poured too much food coloring than what I intended into the strawberry juice because it turned a really deep scarlet shade. When it cooled down to a syrupy consistency I poured it on top of the set cake. There were bubbles that settled on the surface so I used a spoon gently to coax the bubbles to the side and scooped that up.
When the time finally came to sample my creation, I knew after the first bite that this cake was a keeper; one you can take to parties and potlucks and be a hit. I say this because the hubby, who dislikes cakes and whipped cream with a passion, finished an entire slice on his own. That in itself was a miracle. He said he liked it because it was not too sweet, very light and the flavor of the strawberries came through cleanly.
I served mine with strawberries, blackberries, and a side of Harry Potter trivia.
My thanks to Peabody who picked this challenge; this fabulous recipe is on her blog. Please go and check out the different renditions of my fellow Daring Bakers, the link to the blog roll is at my sidebar.
The cake looks pretty and gorgeous! The cream is ultra smooth and the pink hue is just lovely!
You got a perfect mirror!!
You're right on Veron about the strawberry flavor! It's hard to imagine light with all the whip cream but this one is. And it's just right on the sweet thing.
That cake looks gorgeous! It's starting to look like I'm the only one to not have enjoyed making this challenge…
It's magical – what an enchanting cake, Veron. I've made something called a "Fraiser" which is similar, and a classic French pastry. It's quite a project, but worth the effort. Oh, what I would do for a piece of that mirror right now!
Lovely! Your mirror looks perfect and the cream looks so smooth!
Great post, and beautiful cake too
I'm reading HP 7 just now as well, I'm trying to spin it out, seeing as it's the last one, but it'll be gone soon!
Your cake looks so lovely Veron! Definitely a keeper recipe! P.S. I couldn't put Harry Potter down either!
Just beautiful, Veron! Your mirror is so smooth and flawless! I agree, this cake tasted outstanding, and I will certainly be making it again!
Absolutely beautiful! Your sides are so neat and perfect!
Absolutely beautiful! Your sides are so neat and perfect!
The cake on the bottom picture looks simply perfect – lovely smooth texture and beautiful colours!
Beautiful cake! And thanks for no spoilers – I don't get to read the book until later this week!
I'm right in the middle of the book, so thanks for not spilling the ending! I'm sure I'd read much faster with a slice of this cake by my side….
So beautiful and please could you tell me who lives and who dies too?
I hesitate to read anything about Harry Potter because I haven't read the final book yet and don't want the ending revealed – so thanks for keeping me in suspense still!!
Your cake turned out beautifully!
I just finished reading Harry Potter too! What a perfect idea of serving the cake with berries and HP trivia! I wonder what will I see in the strawberry mirror.
Your cake looks awesome! Love the HP tie-in. I need to get that book.
I just finished Harry Potter as well. Great book and great cake!
Perfect looking cake. And a very nice companion to Harry Potter too!
Perfect looking cake. And a very nice companion to Harry Potter too!
Veron, your cake is wonderful and perfect in every way! How ever did you get the cream so flat and smooth? Nice snackeral with a bit of Harry
Very lovely. I went a tad overboard on the food coloring also…but I used hot pink Easter dye!
Fantastic job Veron.
I absolutely love the color contrast in yours. It makes it look so striking. Well done.
I had the same dilemma… I had to finish Harry before tackling this cake. I finished Friday night and spent Saturday making the cake.
You will have to let me know what you thought of the book. You are the first person I have encountered that has finished the book.
I'm also the kind of gal who has to read a book in one sitting. I got my copy of HP on the day of release (gotta love that Amazon for delivering on a Saturday even tho' I used the free shipping) but I haven't had time to read it yet! I agree that this cake is a keeper.
I kept sniffing my bavarian cream too, your cake is a beautiful thing!
Veron, I love the smoothing look of you mirror and the cream! Perfect!
Oh, I love the bavarian cream. It's good that i had leftover to just munch on.
Super pretty cake and presentation and Harry would be impressed with the shiny mirror. It is less sweet than some cakes,which is nice.Beautiful job!
one word, or two. Delicious and yum!
Beautiful job as always, Veronica!!! KitchenAid has a new whisk attachment … I had no idea!
Gorgeous! And boy does Lisa and I have a story or two about the food coloring…we went crazy with my new powdered one!
It looks perfect!
What a beautiful cake. You did a great job. Who didn't have a few hiccups along the way. I certainly did.
I actually planned ahead for once and made sure that I had my cake done before Harry Potter came out. This left a whole weekend free for Harry. I read it in a day and enjoyed every minute.
ALL of the Daring Bakers have created such beautiful cakes…wow! I am so enjoying reading about the results, and I'm discovering many amazing "new to me" blogs in the process, which is such fun.
That's just lovely. It's lovely in a restrained and elegant way rather than the exuberant, many influences, overflowing with whipped things way.
I look at it and I expect that every part tastes like itself and that the whole is a marvel in the mouth.
Well the cake look delicious to be sure, but what got me smiling this morning was the title of your post! "Harry Potter and the Scarlet Mirror" – the sounds like areal J.K. Rowling title no? I wonder what sort of story she would weave from a title like that.
Veron, wonderful cake!
It's so perfectly sandwiched, and the mirror is beautiful!
Sis, you never cease to amaze me. Your cake is simply stunning. I love the colors and how the heck did you get your layers so even? Perfecto!
I can just see you draggin the HH back over to the bavarian cream.. hahaha!
A beautiful job – as always!
xoxo
Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments! I enjoyed this challenge and am about to eat the final piece of the cake tonight
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Looks delicious! A perfect summer dessert.
Fantastic work! And I can almost smell the aroma of the Bavarian cream and strawberries…. yummmmm….hhmmm…
Your cake looks fantastic Veron! I can't see where you had the trouble in unmolding it at all
And I love how you've weaved Harry Potter trivia into this post! I'm reading the book now 
Great work! Your cake looks fantastic!
Lovely!!!
beautiful cake veronica! a job well done and i'm sure you are reaping the sweet rewards right now!
Your cake looks great. Wendy
Looks beautiful! I love the photography!
V- ohohohohoh! I'm wearing those EXACT SAME COLORS today!!!!
but how come i don't look as smooth shiny and slim????
I love it! The color is perfect. Beautiful mirror and HP connection.
Veron – your cake turned out lovely! The mirror looks so vibrant!
Glad you were able to get to the mirror without abandoning Harry.
Your cake is gorgeous — bakery-worthy for sure.