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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Aiden
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus chilling and assembly time
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

This decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake is a show-stopping dessert featuring moist chocolate cake layers filled and frosted with strawberry-infused buttercream and luscious chocolate ganache. Layers of fresh diced strawberries and chocolate-covered strawberries on top add delightful freshness and elegance, making it perfect for special occasions or a sophisticated treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Layers

  • 2 cups (260g) all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (224g) unsalted Challenge butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups (414g) sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
  • 3/4 cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) milk

Chocolate Ganache

  • 9 oz (1 1/2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy whipping cream

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

  • 2 1/2 cups (about 2 oz | 57g) freeze-dried strawberries
  • 1 3/4 cups (392g) unsalted Challenge butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (142g) shortening
  • 10 cups (1150g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2–4 tbsp (30-60ml) additional water or heavy whipping cream (optional, to adjust consistency)

Assembly

  • 1 1/2 cups diced fresh strawberries
  • 8 chocolate-covered strawberries for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line the bottoms of three 8-inch (20cm) cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixer bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fully creamed, light in color, and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is critical for a light texture.
  4. Add Eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each.
  5. Mix Chocolate Liquid: Stir vanilla extract, warm water, and cocoa powder in a small bowl until smooth.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the chocolate mixture to the batter and mix well, scraping sides as needed. Add half the dry ingredients and mix until mostly incorporated.
  7. Add Milk and Remaining Dry Ingredients: Slowly add milk, mix well, then add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Avoid overmixing. Scrape sides to ensure even incorporation.
  8. Bake Cake Layers: Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs. Cool in pans 2-3 minutes, then remove to racks to cool completely.
  9. Prepare Chocolate Ganache: Place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat heavy cream until just boiling and pour over chocolate. Let sit for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
  10. Make Strawberry Powder: Process freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor to a fine powder. Set aside.
  11. Prepare Strawberry Buttercream: Beat butter and shortening until smooth and creamy. Gradually add half the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
  12. Add Strawberry Powder: Mix in freeze-dried strawberry powder well.
  13. Add Cream and Vanilla: Slowly add 1/2 cup heavy cream and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
  14. Add Remaining Sugar and Adjust: Add remaining powdered sugar gradually and mix until smooth. Add salt to taste. Adjust consistency with additional water or heavy cream if needed.
  15. Level and Torte Cakes: Use a large serrated knife to level domes from cakes. Horizontally cut each cake into two layers to have six layers total.
  16. Build Cake – First Layer: Place first cake layer on serving board. Spread about 1/2 cup strawberry frosting evenly, then top with 1/2 cup diced strawberries. Press strawberries gently into frosting and spread a thin layer of frosting over strawberries to help next layer adhere.
  17. Second Layer: Add next cake layer on top. Pipe a dam of frosting around edge. Fill center with 5-6 tablespoons chocolate ganache, spreading evenly.
  18. Third Layer: Add the next cake layer. Repeat strawberry frosting and diced strawberries layer as in step 15.
  19. Fourth Layer: Add next cake layer. Pipe frosting dam and fill with remaining chocolate ganache.
  20. Fifth Layer: Add next cake layer. Add a third layer of strawberry frosting and diced strawberries.
  21. Top Layer: Place final cake layer on top.
  22. Chill Cake: Refrigerate cake to firm layers if desired.
  23. Frost Exterior: Use remaining strawberry frosting to cover outside of cake smoothly.
  24. Apply Chocolate Drip: Gently reheat ganache if needed. Drip chocolate over the edges of the cake for a decorative effect.
  25. Decorate Top: Pipe swirls of remaining frosting on top using a piping tip like Ateco 847.
  26. Add Topping: Arrange chocolate-covered strawberries on top of the cake.
  27. Store: Refrigerate cake until serving. Best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Add chocolate-covered strawberries shortly before serving to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for best mixing results.
  • Cream butter and sugar well to ensure a light, fluffy cake texture.
  • Do not overmix batter once dry ingredients are added to avoid dense cake.
  • Freeze-dried strawberries give an intense natural flavor without added moisture.
  • Adjust frosting consistency with additional cream or water to your preferred spreadability.
  • Chocolate ganache needs to cool to room temperature before assembly to avoid melting frosting.
  • Reheat ganache gently for drip decorating by microwaving in short bursts.
  • The cake layers can be wrapped and frozen if making ahead, thaw thoroughly before assembling.
  • Chocolate-covered strawberries on top are best added the day of serving to keep fresh and look glossy.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate cake, strawberry cake, layer cake, chocolate ganache, buttercream frosting, chocolate covered strawberries, dessert, special occasion cake

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