Hi -
I've got someone who wants fresh strawberries as a filling for a yellow cake with plain ol' buttercream frosting and then MMF.
What is the best way to do fresh strawberries? I'm happy to slice thin and layer them - I just wonder if they'll be atrocious to cut when it's time to cut the cake. Or, should I chop them and mix in with the buttercream?
Also, if I put the cake together the night before, do you think it's fine if the strawberries are out overnight? Because of the MMF, I can't put in the fridge. We're in Florida - our house will be about 70 degrees max while the berries are out.
Thank you -
Christy
I would be hesitant to leave any fresh fruit out overnight in a cake. I have used fresh strawberries in a cake before, thinly sliced like you mentioned, but I did it the day I was serving it. I would worry about the fruit going limp and mushy or even turning.
From http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/strawberries/selection.html
Handling & Storage
Use strawberries as soon after harvesting or purchasing as possible. Refrigerator storage does not improve the quality of fresh strawberries. Berries should not be left at room temperature for more than a few hours.
Warm temperatures cause a browning effect in strawberries. The pigments that make strawberries red, anthocyanin, are heat sensitive. They break apart and turn brown when exposed to heat. Strawberries also lose heat-sensitive Vitamin C during browning, heating and cooking.
Store unwashed berries loosely covered with plastic wrap in the coldest part of your refrigerator for two to three days at most. Do not wash berries until ready to use.
To wash, place berries in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Do not allow berries to set in water as they will lose color and flavor.
After washing, remove the green cap with a plastic-tipped vegetable peeler or paring knife without removing any of the fruit.
Thanks. That's what I was thinking, but wanted to be reassured.
Interesting that you used a link from UIUC - my hubby used to teach there and I spent a lot of time there!
Glad I could help! (and that is a weird coincidence isn't it, there were a tonne of websites on it, but that was the best one!)
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