Description
A stunning layered cake featuring rich chocolate cake, fresh strawberry filling, and creamy frosting, topped with luscious chocolate ganache and garnished with strawberries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup heavy cream (for ganache)
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 2 cups heavy cream (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Fresh strawberries (for garnish)
- Chocolate shavings or curls (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the boiling water until smooth. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dissolve cornstarch in water and stir into the mixture until it thickens. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and stir until smooth. Let cool until thickened.
- Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread strawberry filling and a thin layer of whipped cream. Repeat layers. Cover the cake with whipped cream frosting.
- Drizzle ganache over the top and let it cascade down the sides. Garnish with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set ganache. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate for the ganache. Make the cake layers a day ahead and store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap until ready to frost and assemble.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: cake, dessert, chocolate, strawberry, celebration, birthday