This Chocolate Strawberry Cake is pure dessert bliss! 🍓🍫 Rich chocolate layers, strawberry buttercream, and a ganache drip. Yes, please!
Chocolate and Strawberry Cake
Looking for the perfect dessert that combines rich chocolate flavor with sweet strawberries? This chocolate strawberry cake recipe is everything you need. With moist layers of chocolate cake, creamy strawberry buttercream, and a decadent ganache, this is the ultimate chocolate & strawberry cake. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, this easy strawberry chocolate cake will impress every time.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect balance of chocolate and strawberry flavors
- Beautiful presentation with chocolate-dipped strawberries
- Simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps
- Great for birthdays, anniversaries, or Valentine’s Day
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
Chocolate Cake
- all-purpose flour
- dutch-processed cocoa powder – substitute with regular unsweetened cocoa powder
- baking powder
- salt
- unsalted butter, softened – substitute with margarine if needed
- vegetable oil – substitute with canola oil
- granulated sugar
- large eggs, room temperature
- buttermilk, room temperature – substitute with whole milk and 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar
- sour cream – substitute with plain Greek yogurt
Strawberry Buttercream
- freeze-dried strawberries
- unsalted butter, softened
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
Chocolate Ganache
- semi-sweet chocolate chips – substitute with dark or milk chocolate chips
- heavy whipping cream
Chocolate Strawberries
- fresh strawberries
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
✨ Variations
- Swap the strawberry buttercream for classic vanilla or chocolate buttercream.
- Add fresh chopped strawberries between the layers for extra fruit flavor.
- Try using white chocolate for the ganache for a sweeter finish.
How to Make Chocolate Strawberry Cake
🔥 Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter and frosting.
- Do not skip the crumb coat to keep your final frosting layer smooth.
- Allow the ganache to cool slightly before pouring to control the drip effect.
🍰 Serving Suggestions
- Special Occasions: This chocolate and strawberry cake is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day. Add festive sprinkles or edible glitter to match the celebration.
- Casual Gatherings: Serve this cake as a show-stopping dessert at potlucks, family dinners, or weekend get-togethers.
- With Drinks: Pair this strawberry chocolate cake with a glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or a sweet dessert wine for a balanced flavor experience.
- Plating Tip: Slice with a hot knife for clean, picture-perfect servings. Wipe the knife between cuts for the best results.
❓ FAQs
Yes, bake the cake layers a day ahead and store them wrapped tightly. Frost and assemble before serving.
No, only freeze-dried strawberries work for the buttercream without adding excess moisture.
Keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes, freeze the unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months. Thaw and decorate when ready.
Yes, you can bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan. Adjust the baking time to 30-35 minutes and check for doneness with a toothpick.
Line the pans with parchment paper and spray them with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures easy removal after baking.
Yes, you can make the buttercream up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and let it soften at room temperature before using.
Apply a crumb coat and chill the cake for at least 15 minutes before adding the final layer of buttercream. Use a bench scraper or offset spatula to smooth the sides.
Chill the cake for at least an hour before transporting to help set the frosting and ganache. Use a sturdy cake carrier for easy handling.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Equipment
- mixing bowl (large and medium)
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- knife (serrated – for leveling cakes)
- food processor or blender (for freeze-dried strawberries)
- piping bags (for decorating)
- piping tip (for decorating)
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:
- 2-⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder dutch-processed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1-½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1-½ cups buttermilk room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream
Strawberry Buttercream:
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 2 cups unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
Chocolate Strawberries:
- 6 strawberries
- ⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Make the Chocolate Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line four 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, vegetable oil, and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in the sour cream until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Make the Strawberry Buttercream:
- Pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until they become a fine powder.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
- Add the strawberry powder and beat until fully combined and fluffy.
Make the Chocolate Ganache:
- Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the heavy cream in the microwave until it just starts to boil (about 30 seconds).
- Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Allow the ganache to cool to room temperature before using.
Prepare the Chocolate Strawberries:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
- Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate sets.
Assemble the Cake:
- Level the cooled cake layers using a serrated knife.
- Stack the cakes with a layer of strawberry buttercream between each.
- Apply a thin crumb coat over the entire cake and freeze for at least 15 minutes to set.
- Frost the cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing the sides and top.
- Pour the cooled ganache over the top, gently spreading it and letting it drip down the sides.
- If desired, pipe a buttercream border on top and garnish with the chocolate-covered strawberries.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
Store the fully assembled cake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.♨️ REHEATING
Bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.❄️ FREEZING
Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before assembling.💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Level cake layers for a stable, professional finish.
- Use a piping bag for clean ganache drips.
- Garnish with chocolate-covered strawberries right before serving.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
Wrap individual slices and store them in the fridge or freezer for an easy treat later.Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
I’m Jamie, a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!
Leave a Reply