Heavenly Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

Dreamy Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet summer berries and rich chocolate create a decadent chocolate strawberry cake that melts in your mouth.

This dreamy dessert combines pure indulgence with elegant simplicity.

Layers of moist chocolate cake intertwine with fresh, juicy strawberries for a stunning visual and flavor experience.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of deep cocoa notes and bright fruity freshness.

The combination feels like a romantic dessert born from pure culinary magic.

Smooth chocolate ganache and delicate strawberry accents elevate this cake from ordinary to extraordinary.

You won’t be able to resist this irresistible, show-stopping treat that’s sure to delight every chocolate and strawberry lover.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

For Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that provides structure and tender crumb for your chocolate cake.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, rich chocolate flavor and creates a luxurious dark color.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a soft, moist texture.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cake.
For Moisture and Binding:
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich texture.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a supremely moist cake.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures a tender, soft crumb and prevents the cake from drying out.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds complex flavor depth and complements the chocolate.
  • Hot Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and creates a more sophisticated taste profile.
For Finishing:
  • Fresh Strawberries: Adds bright, fresh contrast to the rich chocolate cake.
  • Chocolate Frosting: Provides a decadent, creamy coating that ties the cake together.

Kitchen Tools For Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients without lumps.
  • 9-inch Cake Pans (2): Needed to create two even cake layers.
  • Parchment Paper: Helps cakes release easily and prevents sticking.
  • Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure baking success.
  • Electric Mixer (optional): Helpful for thorough mixing but not mandatory.

Follow These Steps For Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and get those cake pans ready by giving them a quick spray and lining with parchment paper.

  • Create the Dry Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in the dry ingredients, giving them a good whirl with a whisk until they’re perfectly blended.

  • Bring the Batter to Life

Pour in the wet ingredients and mix everything together. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a bit runny – that’s totally normal! Splash in the hot coffee and give it a final stir.

  • Bake to Perfection

Evenly distribute the chocolatey goodness between your two pans. Slide them into the waiting oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes rest for 10 minutes, then gently coax them out of the pans to cool completely.

Baking Tips For Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

  • Smooth Baker's Magic: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother cake batter and more even mixing.
  • Moisture Master: Add a simple syrup brush over cooled cake layers to keep them incredibly moist and enhance chocolate flavor.
  • Allergy-Friendly Swap: Replace buttermilk with almond milk and eggs with flax eggs for a dairy-free and vegan version of the cake.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: Bake cake layers in advance and store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for 1 month to streamline party preparation.

Ways To Share Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

  • Chocolate Lovers' Dream Plating: Slice the cake and arrange each piece on a pristine white plate. Garnish with fresh, glossy strawberries and dust with powdered sugar for an elegant, restaurant-style presentation.
  • Decadent Dessert Bar: Create a chocolate strawberry cake station with extra toppings like chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and sliced almonds. Let guests customize their slice for a fun and interactive dessert experience.
  • Sophisticated Tea Party Treat: Serve cake slices alongside delicate tea cups with herbal or black tea. Use vintage china plates and silver forks to elevate the dessert into a charming afternoon indulgence.
  • Berry Bliss Pairing: Complement the cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of mascarpone cream. Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce for an extra layer of rich, indulgent flavor.

Save Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe For Later

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store the completed cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving, which helps retain texture and flavor.
  • Room Temperature Tips: Keep frosted cake at cool room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place under a cake dome or cover with a large inverted bowl to protect from dust and maintain freshness.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers in advance and store separately from frosting. Wrap cooled layers in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 days or freeze for extended storage. This approach helps maintain cake's moisture and makes assembly easier when ready to serve.
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Heavenly Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe

Heavenly Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe


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4.5 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Rich chocolate strawberry cake celebrates summer’s sweetest flavors with layers of moist chocolate sponge and fresh strawberry cream. Elegant dessert delights chocolate and fruit lovers seeking a perfect balance of indulgence and freshness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ tsps (7.5 grams) baking soda
  • 1 tsp (5 grams) baking powder
  • ½ tsp (3 grams) salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 mL / 8 fl oz) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • ½ cup (120 mL / 4 fl oz) vegetable oil
  • 2 tsps (10 mL) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 mL / 8 fl oz) hot coffee (or hot water for a milder taste)
  • 2 cups (300 grams) fresh strawberries, diced
  • 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120 mL / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (75 grams) fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp (15 grams) cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp (15 mL) water
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Thermal Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C). Meticulously lubricate two 9-inch circular baking vessels and line with parchment paper for seamless cake extraction.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Amalgamate flour, cocoa powder, granulated sweetener, leavening agents, and sodium chloride in a expansive mixing vessel. Whisk comprehensively until uniform distribution is achieved.
  3. Liquid Integration: Merge beaten eggs, cultured dairy liquid, vegetable-derived fat, and aromatic extract into dry mixture. Blend until a silky, homogeneous batter emerges, incorporating hot coffee essence to intensify chocolate’s profound flavor dimension.
  4. Cake Transformation: Distribute liquid composition evenly between prepared baking containers, ensuring balanced volume and consistent depth. Transfer to preheated oven and monitor for 30-35 minutes.
  5. Doneness Verification: Validate cake’s readiness by inserting a slender testing implement into central region – it should emerge pristine without raw batter residue.
  6. Cooling Protocol: Allow chocolate layers to stabilize for 10 minutes post-baking. Gently release from metal constraints and transfer to cooling surface, permitting complete temperature equilibration before further manipulation.

Notes

  • Optimize Coffee Temperature: Use hot coffee at precisely 180-185°F to activate chocolate’s rich flavor without compromising batter consistency.
  • Prevent Cake Dryness: Avoid overmixing batter, which can develop excess gluten and create dense, tough texture; mix just until ingredients combine smoothly.
  • Moisture Retention Technique: Insert toothpick at 30-minute mark to check doneness, removing cake immediately when it comes out clean to maintain maximum moisture.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute cultured dairy liquid with almond milk or coconut milk for lactose-intolerant individuals, maintaining similar liquid ratio and cake structure.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 38 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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