Dreamy Barefoot Contessa’s Strawberry Country Cake Recipe

Luscious summer berries dance across a soft, golden cake that embodies the nostalgic charm of a Barefoot Contessa strawberry country cake recipe straight from ina garten’s beloved kitchen.

Her style shines through every delectable slice, promising pure indulgence.

Strawberries burst with vibrant sweetness, nestled within layers of tender, buttery crumb.

Each forkful tells a story of classic comfort and elegant simplicity.

The cake captures the essence of leisurely afternoons and sun-drenched gardens.

Smooth cream frosting adds a luxurious finish that beckons you to savor every single bite.

This irresistible dessert will become your new summer obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Barefoot Contessa Strawberry Country Cake

• Unsalted Butter: The golden foundation that ensures a rich, tender crumb with luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture. Choose high-quality butter for superior flavor..
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps create a light, airy cake structure. Select fine-grain sugar for smooth blending..
• Large Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and binding magic to the cake. Fresh eggs at room temperature blend more effectively..
• Sour Cream: Adds incredible moisture and tangy depth, creating a supremely soft cake texture. Opt for full-fat version for best results..
• Lemon Zest, Orange Zest: Bright citrus notes that elevate the cake's aromatic profile. Use fresh, organic citrus for most vibrant flavor..
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex undertones that enhance overall dessert experience. Pure vanilla delivers superior taste..

• All-Purpose Flour: Establishes the cake's fundamental structure. Sift to eliminate potential lumps and ensure smooth batter..
• Cornflour: Contributes to delicate, tender crumb texture. Use fresh, fine-milled cornflour for best results..
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor notes. Use fine sea salt for even distribution..
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Provides essential leavening action for light, airy cake. Ensure it's fresh and not expired..

• Double Cream: Creates luxurious, cloud-like whipped topping. Select high-fat content cream for stable, fluffy peaks..
• Strawberries: Vibrant, juicy bursts of freshness that.

Tools for Baking Barefoot Contessa Strawberry Country Cake

• Stand Mixer: Powerful kitchen tool for beating butter, sugar, and mixing cake batter smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Cake Tins (20cm/8-inch): Two round pans needed for baking cake layers.
• Sifter: Perfect for evenly mixing dry ingredients like flour and cornflour.
• Whisk or Spatula: Great for scraping down mixer bowl and folding ingredients.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cakes cool evenly after baking.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for slicing cake horizontally and cutting strawberries.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise for measuring ingredients accurately.
• Skewer or Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing for moist crumbs.
• Serving Plate: Provides beautiful presentation for the finished cake.

Directions to Make Barefoot Contessa Strawberry Country Cake

• Cake Preparation

Gather all kitchen tools and ingredients for a delightful strawberry country cake adventure. Select fresh, ripe strawberries and high-quality baking supplies.

• Mixing Magic

Combine soft butter and sugar in a mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes cloud-like and pale. Gently introduce eggs one by one, creating a smooth, silky batter.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Sift flour and complementary powdery ingredients to ensure a light, airy texture. Mix with precision and care, avoiding overmixing.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the luscious batter into prepared cake pans, creating even layers. Slide into a preheated oven and allow the kitchen to fill with warm, sweet aromas.

• Cooling Moment

Remove the golden-brown cakes from the oven and let them rest. Transfer to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature naturally.

• Cream and Strawberry Symphony

Whip fresh cream until it forms delicate peaks. Slice ripe strawberries and layer them between cake layers, creating a beautiful, tempting dessert.

• Final Presentation

Decorate the cake with additional strawberry slices, transforming it into a stunning centerpiece that will delight family and friends.

Tips for Baking Barefoot Contessa Strawberry Country Cake

• Macerate fresh strawberries in a tablespoon of sugar for 15 minutes before adding to the cake to intensify their natural sweetness and create a more vibrant fruit taste.
• Swap strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry combination for a delightful twist on the classic country cake recipe.
• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to guarantee a smooth, evenly blended batter and a light, tender cake crumb.
• Bake cake layers in advance and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for 1 day or freeze for up to 2 weeks, allowing for stress-free party planning.
• Dust the top with powdered sugar, add edible flowers, or pipe additional cream rosettes around the edges for an elegant and personalized presentation.

Serving Suggestions for Barefoot Contessa Strawberry Country Cake

• Brunch Brilliance: Serve this delightful strawberry country cake as the star of a weekend brunch, paired with a light mimosa or fresh-squeezed orange juice.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: Slice this cake into elegant portions for a sophisticated afternoon tea, complementing delicate finger sandwiches and other sweet pastries.
• Summery Dessert Centerpiece: Create a show-stopping dessert display by garnishing the cake with fresh mint leaves and additional whole strawberries, perfect for outdoor gatherings and garden parties.
• Celebratory Sharing: This cake works wonderfully as a birthday or special occasion dessert, offering a light and refreshing alternative to traditional heavy celebration cakes.

Storage Info for Barefoot Contessa Strawberry Country Cake

• Maximize Freshness: Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping the creamy layers intact and flavor vibrant.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Wrap cake carefully in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss, storing in the refrigerator for up to 5 days without compromising taste.
• Freeze for Later: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap tightly in freezer-safe wrap, and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture.
• Prevent Soggy Strawberries: Add fresh strawberry slices just before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent fruit from releasing excess liquid onto cake layers.

Rustic Strawberry Country Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s strawberry country cake delights with fresh, juicy berries nestled in a tender, buttery base. Homemade perfection awaits when you pull this classic dessert from the oven, ready to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• 250g (1 pint) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 170g (¾ cup / 1½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 400g (2 cups) caster sugar
• 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 250g (2 cups) plain flour
• 180ml (¾ cup) sour cream, at room temperature
• 240ml (1 cup) double cream (heavy whipping cream, US), chilled
• 30g (¼ cup) cornflour
• 3 tbsps caster sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ tsp grated lemon zest
• ½ tsp grated orange zest
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

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Instructions

1. Cake Prep: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F. Butter and flour two 20-centimeter cake pans, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Butter Mixture: Using a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar on high speed until light and airy, creating a pale, voluminous texture (3-4 minutes).
3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Reduce mixer speed to medium. Add eggs one at a time, then incorporate sour cream, lemon and orange zest, and vanilla extract. Thoroughly scrape bowl sides to ensure uniform mixing.
4. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, cornflour, salt, and bicarbonate of soda in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and guarantee even distribution.
5. Batter Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cake’s delicate crumb.
6. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a skewer emerges clean when inserted into the center.
7. Cooling Stage: Rest cakes in pans for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing moisture accumulation.
8. Cream Preparation: Whip double cream to firm peaks, gently folding in sugar and vanilla extract until perfectly combined.
9. Assembly: Slice one cake horizontally. Place bottom layer on serving plate, spread half the whipped cream, and scatter fresh strawberry slices.
10. Final Presentation: Position top cake layer, cover with remaining whipped cream, and artfully garnish with additional fresh strawberries for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Zest Selection: Choose fresh, bright citrus fruits with vibrant, unblemished skin for maximum flavor and aromatic impact.
• Cream Technique: Whip butter and sugar until exceptionally pale and fluffy, which creates a lighter, more tender cake texture.
• Mixing Caution: Incorporate dry ingredients gently and minimally to prevent tough, dense cake structure – stop mixing immediately when ingredients are just combined.
• Strawberry Freshness: Select ripe, deep red strawberries at peak ripeness for the most intense, sweet flavor and most appealing visual presentation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 47g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 100mg