Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until dry and spongy in the center, about 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then remove the sides of the pan and let cool completely on a wire rack. The cake will fall somewhat.

Make the glaze:

In a small bowl, stir the ingredients together until smooth, adding lemon juice as needed until the glaze is pour-able. Set the wire rack holding the cake on a sheet pan. Drizzle the glaze generously over the top of the cake, letting it trickle down the sides. Using a flexible spatula

or pastry brush, gently spread the glaze over the sides of the cake, reusing any glaze that drips onto the baking sheet. Let set for at least 30 minutes before serving, or until the glaze is hardened. Transfer the cake to a serving platter, removing the pan bottom and parchment paper if desired.

In a medium saucepan, bring the jam and water to a boil, stirring to break up any lumps. Working quickly, add the strawberries all at once and fold together with a spatula until evenly coated. Pour into the sunken center of the cake and gently spread into a circle on the surface, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border all around. Let cool until set, about 30 minutes. Use a very sharp knife for slicing the cake.

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice mixture (available at Asian food shops and some
• supermarkets)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup cooled, very strong jasmine tea (use 1 teabag)
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions -

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 6-cup loaf pan and line it with waxed or parchment paper. Sift together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour, five-spice mixture, and ginger. In a medium bowl, mix the tea and applesauce. In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the eggs and sugar until very light and fluffy. With the mixer running at medium speed, drizzle in the oil and mix. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients and 1/3 of the tea-applesauce mixture and mix.

Repeat twice more, using up all the ingredients. The batter will be somewhat thin. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until firm to the touch and split on the top, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 70 to 90 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack and let cool 30 minutes, then turn the cake out onto the rack, peel off the paper, and let cool.