Description
Chocolate lovers find pure bliss in this chocolate covered strawberry layer cake, merging rich cocoa layers with luscious strawberry cream. Delicate chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries crown this irresistible dessert, promising pure indulgence with each delectable slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee or hot water
Strawberry Filling Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (to thicken)
Frosting and Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups (420 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy cream (or milk)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
- 6 ounces (170 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Craft the chocolate cake foundation by thoroughly blending dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Incorporate liquid components into the dry mixture, whisking gently until a smooth, fluid batter emerges.
- Distribute the cake mixture evenly across prepared circular baking vessels, maintaining consistent depth.
- Expose the batter to precise oven temperatures, allowing the cake to transform into a rich, decadent chocolate landscape.
- After baking, release the cakes from their metal constraints and permit complete temperature equilibration on a cooling platform.
- Construct the strawberry reduction by gently simmering fresh berries with sugar, coaxing out their natural sweetness and creating a luscious, vibrant compote.
- Thicken the strawberry mixture with a delicate cornstarch integration, stirring until the filling achieves a luxurious, spreadable consistency.
- Whip the chocolate buttercream into a cloud-like texture, blending cocoa, butter, and cream until impossibly smooth and light.
- Prepare the ganache by cascading heated cream over premium chocolate, creating a glossy, rich chocolate waterfall.
- Meticulously layer the cake, spreading strawberry compote between chocolate cake tiers like a delicate crimson landscape.
- Enrobe the entire cake structure with velvety chocolate buttercream, creating a flawless exterior.
- Drizzle the warm ganache across the cake’s summit, allowing it to elegantly cascade down the sides in tempting rivulets.
- Embellish with fresh, gleaming strawberries and delicate chocolate shavings, transforming the cake into a visual masterpiece.
Notes
- Customize cake batter by replacing buttermilk with yogurt or plant-based milk for dietary alternatives.
- Add instant espresso powder to enhance chocolate’s deep, rich flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
- Ensure strawberry filling reaches the right consistency by cooking slowly and stirring consistently to prevent burning.
- Prevent buttercream from becoming grainy by sifting powdered sugar before mixing and using room temperature butter.
- Cool cake layers completely before assembling to prevent buttercream from melting and sliding off the cake.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Stabilize fresh strawberry decoration by patting berries dry and brushing with a light corn syrup glaze.
- Achieve smoother ganache by using high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content and chopping it finely.
- Make advance preparation easier by baking cake layers and preparing fillings a day before final assembly.
- Control ganache drip by adjusting chocolate and cream ratios and letting it cool to the right temperature before pouring.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 469
- Sugar: 41 g
- Sodium: 236 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg