Swedish Princess Cake (Prinsesstårta)

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Swedish Princess Cake (Prinsesstårta).

1. Step 1

   To create a delightful pastry cream, start by whisking together sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan until they’re well blended.

2. Step 2

   Gradually pour in the milk and egg yolks, whisking until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

3. Step 3

   Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly as the mixture thickens—this should take about 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Step 4

   Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in cold butter and vanilla extract until everything is beautifully combined.

5. Step 5

   For an extra silky texture, strain the pastry cream through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl.

6. Step 6

   To prevent a skin from forming, cover the surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it’s nice and cold, which will take about 3 hours or can be left for up to 24 hours if you’re planning ahead.

7. Step 7

   Next, let’s get your oven ready by preheating it to 350°F (175°C).

8. Step 8

   Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by coating them with baking spray and lining the bottoms with parchment paper for easy release.

9. Step 9

   In a medium saucepan, bring about an inch of water to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

10. Step 10

    In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar.

11. Step 11

    Set this bowl over the pot of simmering water, whisking constantly until the mixture reaches a warm 110°F (43°C), which should take around 5 to 6 minutes.

12. Step 12

    Once warmed, return the bowl to the stand mixer and beat on high speed with a whisk attachment until the mixture turns a lovely pale yellow and triples in volume—this should take about 3 minutes.

13. Step 13

    Now, gently fold in the flour until just combined, then add the melted butter and vanilla extract, folding until everything is fully incorporated.

14. Step 14

    Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans and bake in the preheated oven until they’re golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, which will take about 20 to 22 minutes.

15. Step 15

    After baking, let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely, which should take around an hour.

16. Step 16

    Once cooled, use a long serrated knife to carefully split each cake layer in half horizontally.

17. Step 17

    To assemble your beautiful cake, spread the cut side of each layer with warm raspberry jam.

18. Step 18

    Start with one layer, jam-side up, on a cake plate, and spread ½ cup of the chilled pastry cream over it.

19. Step 19

    Repeat this process with the next two layers, finishing with the last layer jam-side down.

20. Step 20

    To keep everything together, insert a 4-inch wooden skewer through the center of the cake.

21. Step 21

    Any leftover pastry cream can be saved for another delicious use.

22. Step 22

    Now, let’s make some whipped cream! In a large bowl, beat heavy cream and powdered sugar at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.

23. Step 23

    Spread a thin layer of this whipped cream around the sides of the cake, then mound the remaining whipped cream on top, creating a lovely smooth dome.

24. Step 24

    For a touch of elegance, knead marzipan with gel food dye until the color is evenly distributed.

25. Step 25

    Roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper into a 15-inch circle.

26. Step 26

    Carefully remove the top sheet of parchment and invert the marzipan over the cake, gently peeling off the remaining parchment.

27. Step 27

    Press the marzipan down over the cake, smoothing it out as you go, and trim any excess, tucking the ends under the cake for a neat finish.

28. Step 28

    To add the final touch, dust the top of the cake with sifted powdered sugar and garnish with fresh raspberries.

29. Step 29

    This cake is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a feast for the eyes, perfect for any celebration or a special dessert at home.

30. Step 30

    Enjoy every delicious bite!.