Rosemary Berry Sweetheart Cake

Ingredients

Cake Batter
• 2 1/4 cups cake flour
• 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 6 egg whites, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
Rosemary Cream Cheese Filling
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup fruit preserves
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
Fresh Fruit Topping
• 1 pint fresh blueberries, washed
• 6 ounces fresh blackberries, washed
• 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, trimmed, and sliced
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 can whipped cream
• sprigs of fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions

Sweetheart Cake
1. Make sure oven rack is placed in the center position, then preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Coat two 9-inch pans (heart-shaped pans are great for this occasion) with non-stick spray, then lightly dust each pan with flour.
2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together egg whites, milk, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
3. In a seperate, larger mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in butter and mix until coarse, wet crumbs are formed.
4. Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture, and beat at medium speed for about 1 1/2 minutes. Mix in remaining milk mixture and beat for an additional minute.
5. Divide batter evenly among the two prepared pans. Smooth batter with the back of a spoon to even out in the pans.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool for a few minutes before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.
Rosemary Cream Cheese Filling
7. In a small bowl, fold powdered sugar into cream cheese until well combined. Mix in preserves and rosemary, stir until well blended. Spread entire mixture evenly over one completely cooled cake. Place second cake firmly on top of cream cheese layer.
Fresh Berry Topping
8. While cakes are baking and once cream cheese filling is mixed, place berries and sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Stir to completely coat berries in sugar, and heat until sugar becomes liquified. Be careful not to heat too long, as to keep berries firm and in tact. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
9. Trace lower and upper edges of cake with whipped cream. Carefully spoon fresh berry topping over top of cake, and add sprigs of rosemary along the top edge for garnish.
10. Present to your Valentine, and try enjoying over a candle-lit glass of dessert wine!