Strawberry surprise birthday bombe from A Table in the Tarn: Living, Eating and Cooking in South-west France by Orlando Murrin

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp sugar
• 5 tbsp warm water
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp bourbon or brandy
• 210 g plain flour (such as cake or sponge flour)
• 340 g caster sugar
• 120 ml cold water
• 5 eggs, separated
• ½ tsp almond extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp bourbon or brandy
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 500 ml double cream
• ¾ tsp cream of tartar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 75 g sugar
• 550 g fresh strawberries