I'm amazed at how superior your vanilla is!
– Des, The Grommet
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Excerpted from Flavor Flours by Alice Medrich (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Photographs by Leigh Beisch.
Alice says, “Too simple for words: soft, tender layers of oat flour génoise are filled with preserves, whipped cream, and fresh berries. Team strawberry preserves with fresh strawberries, or pair them with apricot or peach preserves instead. In winter, swap the berries for diced bananas. It will be hard not to eat leftovers for breakfast—but there’s nothing wrong with oats and fruit for breakfast.”
This recipe is a dressed up version of Alice Medrich’s Oat Flour Sponge Cake,
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Rain’s Choice pure Vanilla Extract
2 to 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
Oat Flour Sponge Cake, baked and cooled
¼ to 1/3 cup fruit preserves
1½ pints (425 grams) blackberries or raspberries, or 1½ pints (340 grams) strawberries
Powdered sugar for dusting
Lightly sweetened whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Equipment
Electric mixer or whisk
Whip the cream with the vanilla in a chilled bowl until it begins to thicken. Add granulated sugar to taste, beating until the cream holds a good shape without being quite stiff—it will continue to stiffen as you spread it on the cake. Refrigerate the cream while you prepare the cake.
Turn the cake best-looking side up on a platter. Cut it into two layers with a serrated bread knife. If the top layer is too delicate to pick up without breaking, slide a rimless baking sheet or a flexible plastic cutting mat under it and set it aside. Spread the bottom layer evenly with the preserves. Spread all of the whipped cream over the preserves. Set aside a few berries for garnish. Cut strawberries into bite-size pieces. Arrange berries or berry pieces over the cream in a single layer with a little space between them. Press the berries well into the cream (so the top cake layer will make contact with the cream). Set the top cake layer on top of the cream and press gently to level the cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 1 day.
Sieve a little powdered sugar over the top of the cake and garnish with the reserved berries and whipped cream, if desired, before serving. Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or so.
Serves 10 to 12
I was given a small bottle of Rain’s Choice in a gift basket and I have been hooked ever since. The flavor makes all of my baking so much better! I will never use grocery store vanilla again!
