Description
A rich and indulgent cake combining moist chocolate layers with creamy strawberry buttercream and a luscious dark chocolate ganache.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (88.5 g) good quality cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon (3 g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 1 cup (240 g) buttermilk, room temperature
- ½ cup (109 g) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (4.2 g) vanilla extract
- 1 cup (236 g) hot water or coffee
- 2 cups (452 g) unsalted butter, slightly chilled
- 6 cups (750 g) powdered sugar, measured and sifted
- 1 teaspoon (4.2 g) strawberry emulsion
- 2 tablespoons (28.87 g) heavy whipping cream
- Pinch of salt
- 8 oz dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup (120 g) heavy whipping cream
- Fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray three 8-inch or four 6-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, hot water, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.
- For the buttercream, beat the unsalted butter until soft. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well. Then mix in the strawberry emulsion, a pinch of salt, and the heavy cream. Beat until fluffy.
- For the ganache, heat the dark chocolate chips and cream in the microwave until melted and smooth.
- Once the cakes are cool, level the cake layers. Spread frosting between the layers and add fresh strawberries. Assemble the cake, apply a crumb coat, and freeze for 10 minutes.
- Frost the cake with the remaining buttercream, drizzle the ganache over the top, and garnish with fresh strawberries.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for about a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 50g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: cake, chocolate, strawberries, dessert, birthday cake, special occasion