3cupsstrawberry puree20 ounces of fresh strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar & a squeeze of lemon juice
3/4cupsugar
5sheets gelatin
1cupheavy creamwhipped
4egg whites
1cuppowdered sugarplus more for dusting
4egg yolks
1cupcake flour
1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
for Strawberry Bavarian
Bloom (let dissolve) 3 sheets of gelatin in ice water. (you can find gelatin sheets at kitchen supply stores). Bring two cups of strawberry puree to a boil (bubbling in the center of the pot). Add the 1/2 cup sugar and bloomed gelatin to the puree and mix until dissolved. Cool over an ice bath until it is starting to hold its shape but still soft, stirring occasionally. Whip 1 cup of heavy cream over medium speed until soft peaks form, then fold into puree.
for Strawberry Gelee
Bloom 2 sheets of gelatin in ice water, Bring 1 cup of strawberry puree to a boil. Add 1/4 cup of sugar and bloomed gelatin to puree and mix until both have dissolved. Cool slightly and pour into a 6 inch cake pan lined with plastic wrap. (Spray the pan with Pam so the plastic will stick). Let sit in refrigerator or can be frozen to store which makes it easier to remove.
for Lady Fingers
Whisk 4 egg whites until frothy then add 1 cup of powdered sugar slowly to make a meringue. Whip to a medium peak, not too stiff or it will be dry. Add 4 egg yolks and 1/2 tsp vanilla, folding gently to not deflate the batter. Sift in 1 cup flour while egg mixture is still streaky and continue to fold gently until just combined. Right away, pipe the batter using a small #3 tip into two 6 inch round disks and the remaining batter into 3.5 inch lady fingers. Dust generously with powdered sugar and bake for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees. The lady fingers should be white (not golden brown) and also bounce back.
Assembly
Line a 6 inch cake pan or springform with plastic wrap leaving a generous overhang. Place one of the lady finger disks on the bottom, upside down. Using about half of the Bavarian, pour it over the cake. Place a second piece of the cake over the Bavarian. Top the cake with the gelee. Fill the rest of the pan with the remaining Bavarian. Freeze the cake (when it is frozen you can use the excess plastic to lift it out of the pan). Place the cake on a stand, set the lady fingers around the outside of the cake and hold in place by tying with a decorative ribbon. Decorate the top of the Strawberry Charlotte with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
Notes
recipe from Romina Rasmussen of Les Madeleines Bakery in Salt Lake City