Description
A luxurious layered chocolate cake filled with jammy strawberries and topped with either a silky ganache or fluffy buttercream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ¾ cups Granulated Sugar
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- ½ cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Hot Water or Hot Coffee
- 2 ½ cups Fresh or Frozen Strawberries, chopped
- ½ cup Sugar (for filling)
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 200 g Semi-Sweet Chocolate (for ganache)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (for ganache)
- 200 g Unsalted Butter (for buttercream)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (for buttercream)
- ½ cup Cocoa Powder (for buttercream)
- 2–3 tablespoons Milk (for buttercream)
- Fresh Strawberries (for garnish)
- Chocolate Shavings or Chunks (for garnish)
Instructions
- Simmer the Strawberry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water over medium heat. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Whisk cornstarch with water, add to the mixture, and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Let cool.
- Mix and bake the Chocolate Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8-inch pans. Whisk dry ingredients, add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Gradually mix in hot water, divide batter into pans, and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Mix your chosen frosting: For ganache, pour heated cream over chopped chocolate, let sit, and stir until smooth. For buttercream, beat softened butter, gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and whip until fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake Layers: Place the first cake layer on a platter, use frosting to create a barrier, and fill with cooled strawberry mixture. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with either frosting option.
- Garnish: Decorate with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings. Chill for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For best results, let slices sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: strawberry, chocolate cake, dessert, bakery, celebration