Mocha Strawberry Cake

Mocha Strawberry Cake

This cake was bookmarked quite a long time back but it was lost in hundreds of other bookmarked ' Must Try ' recipies. Recently I saw  fresh, red and beautiful strawberries on 'Chef At Large' posted by a member asking what we can make. That immediately brought me back to this cake which I had fallen in love no sooner than I saw it.  I knew that I had to make this cake now  with a cup full of fresh strawberries lying in my refrigerator. And believe me , it was so so Yum. .......The moment I took out the first piece, I just could not wait and take the pictures .....wanted to have a bite....and the first piece was gone....then took the second piece plating it for the pic.....hurriedly took the pic..as my son had come back from the school and wanted to have a bite too.......another piece gone......

/

It is perfect for the coming Valentine Week....with fresh aroma of coffee....and digging into strawberries in between....

(Recipe adapted from 'Joy The Baker')

Ingredients

For the strawberry pulp

1 cup sliced strawberries

1/3 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons water

For the cake

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 large  eggs

1 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tsp instant coffee powder

100 gms thick yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

3 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Method

1. To make the strawberry mixture:

Combine strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar, water and cornstarch in a small saucepan.  Cook over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened and strawberries are soft and somewhat broken down.  Set aside to cool.

2. To make the topping:

Combine all the topping ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingertips until crumbly.  Set aside.

3. To make the coffee cake:

•  Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
•  Add the egg, beating well . Add vanilla extract, 
• Sift all the dry ingredients together.  
• Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter in 3 parts alternating with the yogurt in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.  Beat just until combined.
• Spoon 2/3 of the batter into the prepared pan.  
• Spread the cooled strawberry mixture over the batter.  
• Spoon the remaining batter onto the strawberries and spread evenly.  
• Top with streusel topping and bake in the at 200 o C for approx. 45 - 50 mins. or  until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.