Chocolate Strawberry Layer Cake
A decadent chocolate cake layered with fresh strawberry cream and topped with glossy chocolate ganache, perfect for any special occasion or just because.
Servings 12 servings
Calories 450kcal
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour Sifted for fluffiness
- 1 cup sugar Granulated, do not pack tightly
- 0.5 cups cocoa powder Use unsweetened, high-quality
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt Balances sweetness
- 2 large eggs Room temperature
- 0.5 cups vegetable oil Can substitute with canola oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract For flavor
- 1 cup milk Any type, whole milk preferred
- 0.5 cups hot water To enhance cocoa flavor
Strawberry Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy cream Chilled for whipping
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar For sweetness
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract For flavor
- 0.5 cups finely chopped strawberries Choose ripe berries
Ganache Topping
- 0.5 cups heavy cream Base for ganache
- 100 g dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped Use semi-sweet for best results
Decoration
- as needed fresh whole strawberries For decorating
- 1 small decorative topper optional For a festive touch
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, oil, vanilla, and milk to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Slowly stir in the hot water until the batter is silky.
Baking
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake layers to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Filling and Ganache
- For the strawberry cream, whip cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form, then fold in chopped strawberries and chill.
- For the ganache, heat cream until steaming, pour over chopped chocolate, and stir until smooth and glossy.
Assembling the Cake
- Place the first cake layer on a platter, spread with strawberry cream, and dot with fresh strawberries. Place the second layer on top.
- Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, letting it drizzle down the sides.
- Decorate with whole strawberries and any additional decorative topper if desired.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for a better blend. Allow layers to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the cream. Decorate with strawberries just before serving.
