This syrup soaked cake is light and spongy.
ingredients
Cake
Syrup
Topping
directions
Butter and flour a 10-inch/25 cm ring mould. Mix the yeast, sugar, salt, and warm water in a large bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Add the eggs, milk, lemon zest, and flour. Beat vigorously in a stand-up mixture with paddle attachment for a full 10 minutes. This is necessary to make the dough smooth and elastic, pulling away from the sides of the bowl, which will result in a very light, fine-textured cake. Cover and let rise in a warm place for an hour.
Punch down the dough. Beat in the softened butter, a piece at a time, until fully incorporated. Spoon the mixture into the mould, evenly. Cover, and let rise again for two hours.
Heat the oven to 350°F/175°C. Bake the Savarin until golden brown, 20 minutes. Remove from mould onto a cooling rack, then transfer to a large serving platter.
For the syrup, bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan 1 minute. Stir in the Grand Marnier. Ladle the syrup over the cake, until fully absorbed. The cake will expand and become very sponge-like in texture.
To serve, whip the cream with the vanilla and sugar. Fold in the strawberries, reserving a few for garnish, and spoon into the hole in the centre of the cake or pass in a bowl to serve on the side.
*If you want a really glossy top, melt a jelly, such as apricot, and brush the cake with it once all the syrup has been absorbed.