Hello, fellow dessert enthusiasts! 🍓🍫
Get ready to embark on a journey of pure indulgence with this show-stopping Chocolate & Strawberry Layer Cake. This recipe combines rich, moist chocolate cake layers with a luscious strawberry filling and velvety chocolate frosting. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any celebration or when you simply need a slice of heaven. Let’s dive into this delectable adventure!
Ingredients:
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee
For the Strawberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Chocolate Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Decoration:
- Fresh strawberries
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- For the cake, in a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Slowly stir in the hot coffee. Your batter will be quite thin, but don’t worry – that’s the secret to a super moist cake!
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, let’s make our strawberry filling. In a saucepan, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- For the chocolate frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with heavy cream. Beat in vanilla and salt until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Assembly time! Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread the cooled strawberry filling evenly over the top, leaving a small border around the edge. Place the second cake layer on top.
- Frost the entire cake with the chocolate frosting, creating smooth sides and top. You can use a bench scraper for that pro finish!
- For the grand finale, decorate your cake with fresh strawberries and chocolate shavings. Get creative – you can arrange halved strawberries around the top edge or create a chocolate drip effect for extra drama.
- Chill the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make slicing easier.
Voila! You’ve just created a masterpiece that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. This Chocolate & Strawberry Layer Cake serves 12-16, depending on how generously you slice it (no judgment here if you go for bigger pieces!).
What I love about this cake is the perfect balance between the rich chocolate and the bright, fruity strawberry. The moist chocolate layers provide a luxurious backdrop for the tangy strawberry filling, while the smooth chocolate frosting ties it all together in a harmonious symphony of flavors.
This cake is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion that calls for a touch of decadence. It’s also a great way to showcase those juicy summer strawberries when they’re in season.
Remember, baking is both an art and a science. Take your time, measure accurately, and most importantly, have fun! The love you put into your baking always shines through in the final product.
So, are you ready to create this chocolate-covered berry dream? Tie on your apron, preheat that oven, and let’s make some sweet memories! Don’t forget to share your creations in the comments – I’d love to see your take on this indulgent treat. Happy baking, sweet tooths! 🎂✨