Strawberry Loaf
A delightful strawberry loaf features layers of fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and a tender pound cake, infused with cherry brandy and strawberry flavoring. Perfect for spring gatherings or dessert lovers who enjoy fruity, boozy treats with a creamy finish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then cool.
- Add cherry brandy to the syrup and set aside.
- Heat apricot jam until melted, or force preserves through a sieve if using.
- Add strawberry extract and red food coloring to the jam and set aside.
- Cut the pound cake horizontally into three even layers.
- Wash, dry, and hull the strawberries.
- Reserve 6 strawberries and slice the remaining berries.
- Whip half of the heavy cream and fold in the sliced berries.
- Place the bottom layer of cake on a serving plate.
- Brush the cake with cherry brandy syrup.
- Spread half of the berries-cream mixture on the cake and top with the second cake layer.
- Brush the second layer with remaining syrup.
- Add the final cake layer and brush with remaining syrup.
- Beat the remaining heavy cream with confectioners sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Serve the assembled cake topped with whipped cream and chopped pistachios.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting the cherry brandy with raspberry liqueur or omitting it entirely for a non-alcoholic version. If you don't have apricot jam, peach preserves work well too. Ensure the heavy cream is cold for optimal whipping. Sifting the confectioners' sugar helps avoid lumps in the whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Strawberry Loaf chilled or at room temperature, garnished with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. It pairs beautifully with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or can be enjoyed alongside a cup of tea. For additional flavor, sprinkle some lemon zest over the whipped cream before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Strawberry Loaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To maintain the texture, avoid freezing the assembled cake. If reheating, place slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, just until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Strawberry Loaf contains roughly 545 calories, with 13g protein, 69g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (25% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. It also contributes 6g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with leftover whipped cream?
Leftover whipped cream can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours in an airtight container. Use it to top off coffee, pancakes, or even fruit salads. Alternatively, you can freeze it in small dollops for future use in desserts.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).