Old-Fashioned Berry Layer Cake

By brandyc

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter, for pans
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 6 large whole eggs, plus 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract, divided
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 quart (4 cups) heavy cream
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, optional
• 1 pint small strawberries, hulled
• ½ pint each blackberries, red raspberries, golden raspberries and blueberries
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two 9x2-inch round cake pans; set aside. Into a large bowl, sift together flour and cornstarch; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the whole eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Beat on high speed until thick and pale (it should hold a ribbon-like trail on the surface when whisk is raised), about 5 minutes; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add flour mixture to egg mixture. With mixer on low speed, beat until just combined. Add oil in a steady stream, mixing until just combined. Remove bowl from mixer. Using the whisk, fold mixture several times.

Divide batter between pans, and smooth with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the cakes are springy to the touch and a cake tester inserted in the centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Immediately invert cakes onto a wire rack. Then reinvert cakes, and let them cool completely, top sides up.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine cream, confectioners’ sugar, and remaining vanilla extract. Scrape in vanilla seeds, if using. Starting on low speed and gradually increasing the medium-high, whip until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.

Using a serrated knife, trim the tops of the cakes to make level. Slice each cake in half horizontally into two layers. Place one of the layers on a serving plate. Spread a quarter of the whipped cream over the layer; arrange a quarter of the mixed berries on top. Repeat with remaining cake layers, cream, and berries; garnish top with mint leaves, if using. Serve immediately; slice with a serrated knife.