THREE BERRY BUTTER CAKE

This cake, bursting with berries, is perfect for a picnic.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 2 hr

Ingredients

• 1 stick (1/2 cup (480 ml)) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• 3 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) finely grated fresh lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) baking powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups (600 ml) cake flour (not self-rising)
• 6 cups (1.44 L) mixed berries (1 3/4 lb (340 g)) such as raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) confectioners sugar

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13- by 9- by 2-inch (5 cm) metal baking pan, then line the bottom with wax paper and grease the paper.
2. Heat the butter with the cream in a small saucepan over low heat until melted, then cool.
3. Beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and salt with an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is thick, pale, and forms a ribbon when the beaters are lifted, about 5 minutes with a standing mixer or about 12 minutes with a handheld. Add the zest, baking powder, and vanilla and mix on low speed until blended.
4. Add 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) flour and half of the butter mixture and mix on low speed until blended. Mix in the remaining butter and 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) flour in the same manner. Increase the speed to medium and beat 1 minute with a standing mixer or 2 minutes with a handheld, or until the batter is thick and sticky.
5. Add the berries and carefully fold in with a rubber spatula until barely combined. (The raspberries will begin to fall apart, and the batter will look slightly pink.)
6. Spoon the batter into the baking pan, gently smoothing the top. Bake in the middle of the oven until springy to the touch and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
7. Run a knife around the edge of the cake, then invert a rack over the cake and flip the cake onto it. Remove the wax paper and reinvert onto a platter.
8. Just before serving, dust with confectioners sugar.