Description
Charlotte Aux Fraises is a delightful vegan strawberry charlotte dessert that layers macerated fresh strawberries, vegan creamy strawberry filling, and crunchy vegan ladyfingers in a springform pan. This egg-free and gelatin-free recipe is perfect for those seeking a light, fruity, and creamy treat with a luscious texture. The dessert requires advance preparation of vegan ladyfingers and strawberry curd, and chill time to set beautifully, resulting in a fresh, elegant cake ideal for special occasions or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegan Ladyfingers
- 1 batch vegan ladyfingers (see note 1)
Vegan Strawberry Curd
- â…” batch vegan strawberry curd (see note 2)
Fruits
- 400 g fresh strawberries (plus extra for topping, see note 3)
Sugar and Butter
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 60 g powdered sugar
Filling
- 400 g vegan cream cheese
- 400 ml chilled coconut whipping cream
Instructions
- Preparation Overview: For best results, read through all steps and refer to accompanying images in the blog post to familiarize yourself with the stages of the recipe.
- Prepare Components Ahead: Make the strawberry curd up to 2 days in advance and the vegan ladyfingers up to 1 day before assembling. Line an 8-inch or 7-inch springform cake tin with parchment paper on the base and sides.
- Macerate Strawberries: Wash, dry, and hull the strawberries. Dice into small cubes, then combine with granulated sugar in a bowl. Let sit for 15-30 minutes until juicy and syrupy. Strain the juice with a sieve and reserve if desired.
- Whip the Filling: In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk the chilled coconut whipping cream and vegan cream cheese until the mixture is light and airy.
- Add Flavor: Incorporate the vegan strawberry curd in two additions, whisking smoothly after each. Finally, mix in the powdered sugar briefly until fully combined. Chill the mixture while preparing the base.
- Prepare the Base: Place 9 vegan ladyfingers and the tablespoon of vegan butter into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Press this crumb mixture evenly into the base of the cake tin, leaving space along the edges.
- Arrange Ladyfingers: Stand 16 whole vegan ladyfingers upright around the inside edge of the springform pan, pressing the crumb base gently with the back of a spoon to secure them.
- Layer Strawberries: Evenly spread half of the macerated strawberries over the crumb base inside the pan.
- Add First Filling Layer: Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, dollop half of the strawberry cream filling atop the strawberries and smooth with an offset spatula or spoon.
- Add Ladyfinger Layer: Place approximately 8 ladyfingers over the filling layer, breaking them as needed to cover the surface evenly.
- Repeat Layers: Add the remaining macerated strawberries on top of the ladyfingers, then spread the remaining filling evenly over the berries, smoothing the surface.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, until firm and set.
- Unmold and Decorate: Carefully remove the sides of the springform pan and peel off parchment paper. Transfer the cake to a serving plate and garnish the top with extra fresh strawberries.
- Storage: Keep the cake refrigerated covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Consume within 4 days. Avoid leaving at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. The cake does not freeze well due to fresh berries.
Notes
- Note 1: Vegan ladyfingers must be prepared ahead or purchased; they are crucial for the structure and texture of the charlotte.
- Note 2: The vegan strawberry curd should be made up to 2 days ahead for best flavor integration.
- Note 3: Use fresh, ripe strawberries for maximum sweetness and flavor, reserving some for elegant decoration.
- This cake requires at least 6 hours chilling time for the layers to firm up properly, making overnight chilling best.
- Due to fresh berries, this cake does not freeze well. Serve within a few days for best taste and texture.
- Best served chilled and cut with a sharp knife for clean slices.
