Jordgubbstårta

Jordgubbstårta — the Swedish strawberry layer cake — is the centrepiece of Midsommar celebrations, eaten on the longest day of the year. A simple sponge is split into layers and filled with lightly whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries, then decorated with more cream and whole berries on top. Its beauty lies in its restraint: no buttercream, no artificial flavouring, just ripe summer strawberries and cold cream.

Serves: 8

Ingredients

Sponge:

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 180g (¾ cup) caster sugar
• 120g (1 cup) plain flour
• 40g (3 tbsp) potato starch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Filling and Topping:

• 800g (1.75 lb) fresh strawberries
• 600 ml (2.5 cups) cold double cream
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp strawberry jam (for brushing layers)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 23 cm (9 in) round springform tin.
2. Beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer for 6–8 minutes until the mixture is very pale, thick, and holds a ribbon trail for 5 seconds.
3. Sift in flour, potato starch, baking powder, and salt. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined — do not deflate the mixture.
4. Pour into the prepared tin and bake 25–28 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and cool completely on a rack.
5. Slice sponge horizontally into 3 even layers. Hull and slice most of the strawberries, reserving about 12–15 small whole ones for the top.
6. Whip cream with icing sugar and vanilla to soft peaks.
7. Place the bottom sponge layer on a serving plate. Brush with a little jam. Spread a third of the cream and arrange sliced strawberries on top. Repeat with the second layer.
8. Add the final sponge layer. Spread remaining cream over the top and sides. Arrange whole strawberries decoratively on top.
9. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Cook's Notes: Potato starch in the sponge gives it a uniquely light and airy texture. The cake is at its best on the day it is made — Swedish Midsummer strawberries have unrivalled sweetness.