"Gerard Craft tops spring's first strawberries with batter and bakes them until the fruit is warm and jammy and the cake is airy, with a wonderful, crisp crust...."
INGREDIENTS
•
3 pounds strawberries hulled and halved (8 cups)
•
1/2 cup sugar
•
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
•
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 1/2 tablespoons of water
•
1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped
•
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
•
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•
salt
•
4 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed and chilled
•
21/4 cups all-purpose flour
•
1 tablespoon baking powder
•
3/4 teaspoon salt
•
1 stick unsalted butter softened
•
11/4 cups sugar
•
3 large eggs
•
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
•
3/4 cup buttermilk
•
Tip: The fruit filling can also be made with a combination of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.