Strawberry Shortcake (Tier)

These cakes are sure to recall the joys of summer. Fresh strawberries top stacked pound cakes instead of the traditional biscuits; mascarpone cream is sandwiched between the layers. For an easy-to-slice texture, almond paste and cornmeal were mixed into the batter. Platters piped with royal icing in a basket-weave pattern lend a country feel; they sit on ribbon-wrapped columns that elevate the dessert from its rustic origins and allude to the shape of a conventional tiered wedding cake.

2 recipes Royal Icing
1 each 8" and 12" round cake boards (½" thick), and one 17" round board (¾" thick)
5 strips white poster-board (each 30" long and 1½" wide)
8 clear spiked pillars (9" long), and 1 each 7" and 11" clear separators
3 each 7", 11", and 16" round layers Almond-Cornmeal Pound Cake
3 pieces corresponding-size 3/16" thick foam board
5 recipes Mascarpone Cream Filling
confectioner's sugar, for dusting
12 quarts strawberries

Prepare cake boards: Thin 2 cups royal icing to flooding consistency, and spread on top of the 8", 12", and 17" boards with an offset spatula. Set boards aside to dry, several hours or overnight.

Make bands: Using clear tape, attach 2 poster-board strips so their ends overlap by 1"; repeat to make another long band. Trim one to 39 inches long, and the other to 55" long. Trim remaining strip to 27" long; use double-sided tape to attach it around side of 8" cake board, evenly overhanging top and bottom edges. Attach 39" band to 12" board in the same way. Attach 55" band around 17" board so band's bottom edge is flush with board's bottom edge.

Decorate separators: Fit a pastry bag with a coupler and an Ateco number 46 basket-weave tip; fill with thick royal icing. Pipe basket-weave pattern on bands; let dry overnight. Hot-glue 3/8" wide ivory grosgrain ribbon around pillars, starting at tops; attach pillars to separators.

Prepare tiers: Place 1 of each size layer onto its corresponding-size foam board; top with a generous layer of mascarpone cream. Cover each with another cake layer. Repeat with more filling and cake to make tiers with 3 layers of cake and 2 of filling. Top with more filling; dust with sugar.

Stack tiers (assemble at reception site): Place 16" tier onto prepared 17" board. Center 11" separator with pillars over tier; push pillars down through tier. Place 12" board on separator; top with 11" tier. Center 7" separator with pillars over tier (keep in mind placement of pillars in relation to tier below); push into tier. Set 8" board on separator; top with 7" tier. Arrange 7 quarts strawberries on tops of all tiers; serve sliced cake with remaining 5 quarts berries.

Makes 150 servings.