Description
This rich and moist Chocolate Strawberry Cake combines the deep flavor of cocoa with the fresh sweetness of ripe strawberries. Perfect for celebrations or an indulgent dessert, this cake features a tender crumb enhanced by vanilla and a luscious chocolate frosting layered with fresh strawberries for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
Frosting Ingredients
- Chocolate frosting (quantity as per preference, typically about 1 to 1 ½ cups)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two round cake pans thoroughly to prevent sticking, and if desired, lightly dust with cocoa powder or flour.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to ensure they are well combined and aerated.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs along with the milk, vegetable oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract until you have a smooth mixture with no lumps.
- Make the Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
- Divide and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Remove the pans from the oven and allow the cakes to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are fully cool, spread a layer of chocolate frosting on the top of one cake layer. Arrange sliced fresh strawberries evenly over the frosting.
- Layer and Finish: Place the second cake layer on top, and cover the entire cake with the remaining chocolate frosting. Optionally, decorate with more sliced strawberries on top for an attractive finish.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free frosting.
- Room temperature ingredients will blend better, yielding a smoother batter.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake texture.
- Fresh strawberries are best used soon after slicing to prevent excess moisture.
- Chocolate frosting quantity can be adjusted based on preference or coating thickness.
