Welcome to Sweet Emily, where we make baking simple for everyone! Get ready to bake a truly show-stopping chocolate strawberry cake. This classic flavor combination, featuring moist chocolate cake, fresh strawberries, and rich ganache, creates an unforgettable dessert. It’s perfect for any celebration or simply to make an ordinary day special. This recipe guides you through each delightful component, ensuring a beautiful and delicious result.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Strawberry Cake

You’ll adore this dessert for its perfect blend of flavors and textures.

It combines a rich, deeply flavored chocolate cake base.
It features a fresh, vibrant strawberry frosting that adds delightful sweetness.
This cake includes a luscious chocolate ganache topping for extra decadence.
It looks incredibly impressive, making it ideal for celebrations and special occasions.
This recipe delivers an elegant dessert that is surprisingly simple to create.
It’s the ultimate treat for anyone who loves the classic combination of chocolate and strawberries.

Ingredients

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this magnificent chocolate strawberry cake. Each component plays a vital role in building its incredible flavor.

For the Chocolate Cake:

2 cups granulated sugar
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa (optional, for deeper color/flavor)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup strong black coffee
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For Assembly:

1 batch strawberry frosting (find our recipe here!)
8-10 fresh strawberries, sliced
1 batch chocolate ganache (find our recipe here!)

Notes & Substitutions

Coffee significantly enhances the chocolate flavor in your cake, making it richer without imparting a coffee taste. According to culinary science, coffee can amplify the intensity of chocolate flavor. If you prefer to omit coffee, you can substitute it with an equal amount of hot water. Alternatively, dissolve 1 teaspoon of espresso powder in 1 cup of hot water. For buttermilk, if you don’t have any on hand, easily make a substitute: simply combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes until it slightly curdles. Always use fresh strawberries for the filling to ensure the best texture and taste in your assembled cake. You can use frozen strawberries when making the strawberry frosting, just be sure to thaw and drain them well.

Equipment

Having the right tools makes baking this chocolate strawberry cake a breeze.

Two 9-inch round cake pans
Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
Large mixing bowls
Wire cooling racks
Spatulas or offset spatulas
Piping bag (optional, for decorative accents)

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your stunning chocolate strawberry cake. Remember, baking is fun, so don’t rush the process!

Prepare Cake Layers:

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans thoroughly, then set them aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large bowl with an electric mixer), combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powders, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Add the eggs, buttermilk, strong black coffee, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture on medium speed for about two minutes; the resulting batter will be thin.
Pour the cake batter evenly into your two prepared pans, ensuring both have roughly the same amount.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean.
Cool the baked cakes in their pans for 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove them from the pans and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Assemble the Cake:

Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on your desired cake plate or a sturdy cardboard round.
Spread about one-third of your prepared strawberry frosting evenly over the top of this first cake layer.
Arrange the sliced fresh strawberries neatly over the frosting, covering most of the surface.
Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the strawberries and frosting.
Frost the entire cake with the remaining strawberry frosting, creating a smooth finish on both the top and sides.
Gently pour or drizzle the prepared chocolate ganache over the top of the frosted cake. Let some ganache drip artistically down the sides.
Decorate your decadent dessert as desired with additional fresh strawberries. For an extra special touch, try dipping whole strawberries into some of the ganache before placing them on top.
Store your finished chocolate strawberry cake in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.
For the best flavor and texture, allow the cake to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cutting and serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

For the best chocolate strawberry cake, always use room temperature ingredients. This ensures everything emulsifies smoothly, leading to a perfectly textured cake. Do not overmix your cake batter; mix only until just combined to prevent a tough cake. Level your cooled cake layers with a serrated knife for easy, even stacking and a professional finish. Ensure cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting. For perfect ganache consistency, let it cool slightly until it’s pourable but not hot. Achieve smooth frosting application by using an offset spatula and rotating the cake as you spread. Get creative with decoration; use a variety of strawberry cuts or add chocolate shavings. Prevent a dry cake by not overbaking; always check for a clean toothpick. If your ganache is too runny, chill it briefly in the fridge until it thickens to the desired consistency.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving

Serve your beautiful chocolate strawberry cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. For neat slices, use a hot, clean knife. Dip the knife in hot water and wipe it clean between each cut.

Storage

Store any leftover slices of this delightful dessert in an airtight container or covered loosely with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Enjoy the cake within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

Make Ahead

You can bake the chocolate cake layers 1-2 days in advance. Once completely cool, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Prepare the strawberry frosting and chocolate ganache ahead of time, storing them refrigerated in airtight containers. Assemble the cake on the day you plan to serve it.

Variations

Feel free to customize this recipe! Try different berry fillings like fresh raspberries or blueberries for a unique twist. For a stunning visual and flavor contrast, consider using a white chocolate ganache instead of dark chocolate. For an even more decadent experience, add a thin layer of chocolate mousse between the cake layers.

Nutrition

Disclaimer: Please note that the nutritional information provided is an automatic calculation and an approximation only. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and ingredient preparations.

Serving Size	1 slice
Calories	776 kcal
Carbohydrates	52 g
Protein	5 g
Fat	12 g
Saturated Fat	3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	5 g
Monounsaturated Fat	3 g
Trans Fat	0.1 g
Cholesterol	29 mg
Sodium	445 mg
Potassium	162 mg
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	35 g
Vitamin A	73 IU
Calcium	58 mg
Iron	2 mg

FAQ

Why is there coffee in chocolate cake?
Coffee significantly enhances the deep, rich flavor of chocolate in a cake. It doesn’t actually impart a coffee taste to the finished product.

Can I omit coffee from the cake?
Yes, you can absolutely omit the coffee if you prefer. Simply substitute it with an equal amount of hot water in the recipe.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No problem! You can easily make a buttermilk substitute at home. Combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?
For the best texture and to prevent excess moisture, use only fresh strawberries for the filling in this chocolate strawberry cake. Frozen strawberries are perfectly fine for making the strawberry frosting.

Conclusion

This chocolate strawberry cake truly is a celebration in every slice. Its perfect balance of rich chocolate, fresh strawberries, and smooth ganache creates a dessert that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious. We encourage all home bakers, especially busy parents and beginners, to try this recipe. It’s perfect for making everyday moments a little sweeter and those special occasions unforgettable. Enjoy this delightful dessert!