Swedish strawberry gateau for midsummer

Straight away she began to explain that this is the oldest and best-known Swedish tradition. Families get together to celebrate the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.

Along with my friend I was able to get to know up close how people celebrate, which was both exciting and fun.

This year midsummer eve is on 25th June. People celebrate by picking flowers and eating pickled herring and new potatoes. An important detail is to make wreaths to wear on your head or hang on the maypole. Then everyone gathers round the maypole to dance and sing.

A typical midsummer menu includes lots of strawberries, often in the form of a strawberry gateau.

Swedes are extremely proud of their extra-sweet strawberries, so you should use Swedish strawberries. But what is it that makes the strawberry gateau so special on a day like this? A friend said that if you bake with love it adds a magical taste. That's the secret of the recipe. Made with love.

Strawberry gateau

(8-10 pieces)

4 dl flour

3 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 dl sugar

4 eggs

150 gr butter, melted

2.5 dl milk

1 tsp vanilla sugar

5 dl double cream

1-2 litres fresh strawberries

Chocolate

Method

1. Set the oven to 180'C.

2. Grease a round cake-tin and coat with flour.

3. Cream butter and sugar well.

4. Whip in one egg at a time, then add vanilla sugar.

5. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Sift into egg mixture.

6. Lastly add milk, stir until smooth.

7. Pour mixture into tin. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

8. Whip cream and 4 tbsp sugar to a firm, creamy consistency.

9. Melt chocolate. Dip strawberries in melted chocolate and leave to cool.

10. Slice strawberries for filling.

11. Cut cake in 2-3 layers. Spread with whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Use other kinds of fruit as well, for example blueberries or sliced banana, if you wish.

12. Spread cream over the top and garnish with the chocolate-dipped strawberries.