Decadent Chocolate Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Sweet summer berries and rich chocolate dance together in this irresistible chocolate covered strawberry layer cake that promises pure indulgence.

Deep, velvety chocolate layers embrace fresh strawberry filling with elegant sophistication.

Silky chocolate frosting swirls between delicate cake tiers, creating a dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Delicate strawberry slices nestled between moist cake layers add bright, tangy notes to the rich chocolate base.

Each slice reveals stunning layers of crimson and cocoa, promising a symphony of flavors in every decadent bite.

Perfectly balanced and elegantly crafted, this cake transforms an ordinary gathering into a memorable celebration.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful of this show-stopping dessert.

Serving Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake Right

• Serve this decadent chocolate strawberry layer cake on a beautiful cake stand to elevate its stunning presentation. The dramatic drips of ganache and fresh strawberry garnish will create an Instagram-worthy dessert centerpiece.
• Romantic Date Night Finale
• Pair slices with a glass of dessert wine or champagne for an elegant romantic finish. The rich chocolate and bright strawberry flavors complement each other perfectly, making it an ideal end to a special dinner.
• Create a dessert brunch spread by cutting smaller slices and arranging them beautifully on a tiered serving platter. Add fresh berries and mint leaves around the cake for an extra touch of sophistication and color.
• Party Pleaser Strategy
• Slice the cake into smaller portions for gatherings, allowing guests to enjoy bite-sized pieces. Serve with small forks and decorative napkins to make the dessert experience more interactive and fun.

How To Store Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep cake covered in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Store in refrigerator to maintain texture and prevent strawberry filling from spoiling quickly.
• Quick Temperature Trick: Remove cake from refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving. Letting it sit at room temperature helps frosting soften and flavors develop fully.
• Slice and Freeze Strategy: Cut individual cake slices, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Frozen slices stay delicious for up to 2 months – perfect for future chocolate cravings.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Store unused strawberry filling and ganache separately in sealed containers. Refrigerate filling for 5-7 days, ganache for up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature and stir before reusing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 13

All Ingredients For Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and soft texture for the chocolate cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create tender cake crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensures proper cake rise and light texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create richness in cake.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and subtle tanginess, tenderizes cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and soft, prevents dryness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, complex flavor undertone.
• Hot Coffee: Intensifies chocolate flavor and adds depth.

• Fresh Strawberries: Provide natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances strawberry sweetness and helps thicken.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavor and prevents strawberry browning.
• Cornstarch: Thickens filling and creates smooth consistency.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates creamy, smooth frosting base.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency and adds richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances sweetness.

• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, glossy chocolate coating.
• Chocolate

Tools To Build Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for mixing cake batter and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and creating lump-free mixtures.
• 9-inch cake pans: Crucial for baking cake layers with even thickness.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Small saucepan: Needed for cooking strawberry filling and heating cream for ganache.
• Electric mixer: Helps create creamy buttercream and beat ingredients efficiently.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Heatproof bowl: Ideal for making smooth chocolate ganache.
• Spatula: Great for spreading frosting and filling evenly.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.

Simple Steps For Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake

• Craft Chocolate Cake Base

Whip up a rich chocolate cake by mixing dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour in wet ingredients and blend until smooth. Add a splash of hot coffee to deepen the chocolate flavor. Bake in prepared pans until a toothpick comes out clean, then cool completely.

• Create Luscious Strawberry Filling

Simmer fresh strawberries with a touch of sugar and lemon juice. Thicken the mixture with a cornstarch slurry, cooking until it reaches a jam-like consistency. Allow the filling to cool and become wonderfully spreadable.

• Whip Up Decadent Chocolate Buttercream

Cream butter until silky smooth. Gradually incorporate cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and a splash of cream. Beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy, adjusting consistency as needed.

• Prepare Silky Chocolate Ganache

Warm cream until it just starts to simmer. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit briefly. Stir until the mixture becomes glossy and completely smooth. Allow to cool slightly before using.

• Assemble Your Showstopping Cake

Layer the chocolate cake with a generous spread of strawberry filling. Frost the entire cake with chocolate buttercream, creating a smooth surface. Drizzle ganache over the top, letting it cascade down the sides. Garnish with fresh strawberries and delicate chocolate shavings for a stunning finale.

Tasty Ideas For Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake

• Cake Perfection Secrets: Making Your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake Shine
• Room Temperature Magic: Ensure all ingredients like eggs, butter, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother, more evenly mixed batter that creates tender cake layers.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Bake cake layers a day ahead and wrap tightly in plastic wrap to lock in moisture, allowing flavors to develop and simplifying assembly process.
• Strawberry Filling Flexibility: Swap fresh strawberries with frozen ones during off-season, adjusting sugar levels based on fruit's natural sweetness and reducing cooking time slightly.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cake's structural integrity and achieve similar texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute butter with vegan margarine, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and select dairy-free chocolate for ganache to create a delicious allergen-friendly version.

Decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

This classic chocolate covered strawberry layer cake blends rich chocolate layers with luscious strawberry filling. Creamy frosting and fresh strawberries crown this elegant dessert for indulgent celebrations you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee or hot water
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (to thicken)
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ cups (420 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy cream (or milk)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
• 6 oz (170 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Cake Preparation: Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, ensuring a thorough and lump-free blend, then gently fold in liquid components to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
2. Baking Process: Pour the mixture into prepared cake pans, distributing evenly, and bake in a preheated oven at the specified temperature until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, then allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Strawberry Compote Creation: Simmer fresh strawberries with sugar, gradually thickening with cornstarch until the mixture reaches a rich, spreadable consistency that intensifies the fruit’s natural sweetness.
4. Buttercream Crafting: Whip chocolate buttercream to a light, airy texture by meticulously blending cocoa, butter, and cream until achieving a silky-smooth finish.
5. Ganache Preparation: Generate a glossy chocolate sauce by pouring heated cream over premium chocolate, stirring until a seamless, luxurious mixture forms.
6. Cake Assembly: Strategically layer the cooled cake rounds, generously spreading strawberry compote between each tier, then carefully cover the entire cake with the whipped chocolate buttercream to create a flawless exterior.
7. Final Decoration: Cascade warm ganache over the cake’s surface, allowing it to flow elegantly down the sides, and artfully garnish with fresh strawberries and delicate chocolate shavings to complete this decadent dessert masterpiece.

Notes

• Ingredient Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients, especially eggs and dairy, are at room temperature for smoother batter and more even cake texture.
• Prevent Cake Sticking: Line cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease sides to guarantee easy cake removal without breaking.
• Cornstarch Consistency Check: Slowly add cornstarch to strawberry reduction, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and achieve perfect spreadable compote.
• Ganache Cooling Technique: Allow ganache to cool slightly before drizzling, preventing it from becoming too runny or too thick for optimal cake coverage.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg