Description
A delightful layered chocolate cake featuring a fresh strawberry filling and a rich chocolate ganache. Perfect for any celebration, blending deep chocolate with vibrant fruit.
Ingredients
- For the Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups (240g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup (100g) Light Brown Sugar, packed
- ¾ cup (75g) Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 cup (240ml) Buttermilk
- ½ cup (120ml) Vegetable Oil
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup (240ml) Hot Water or Hot Coffee
- For the Strawberry Filling:
- 4 cups (about 1.5 lbs) Fresh Strawberries, hulled and diced
- ½ cup (100g) Granulated Sugar
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry)
- For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 ½ cups (255g) High-Quality Semi-Sweet or Bittersweet Chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) Heavy Cream
- 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter (optional, for shine)
- For Decoration:
- 1 cup Fresh Strawberries, whole or sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add wet to dry ingredients, mix, then stir in hot water/coffee. Divide batter, bake 30-35 mins. Cool completely.
- Make Strawberry Filling: Dice strawberries. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until soft (5-7 mins). Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Cool completely.
- Assemble Cake: Level cake layers if needed. Place one layer on a serving plate; spread half the filling. Top with second cake layer, spread remaining filling. Chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Prepare Ganache: Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat heavy cream until simmering, then pour over chocolate. Let sit 5 mins, then whisk until smooth. Stir in butter if using. Let cool to a pourable but thickened consistency.
- Ganache and Decorate: Pour ganache over the chilled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Arrange fresh strawberries on top.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes