Easy Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe

Picture this: rich, moist chocolate cake layers embracing fresh, juicy strawberries in perfect harmony. This strawberry chocolate cake is pure magic on a plate! Did you know that chocolate and strawberries were first paired together in French patisseries during the 18th century?

This delightful combination has been stealing hearts ever since. What makes this recipe truly special is its incredible simplicity and fool-proof method that delivers bakery-quality results every single time.

Unlike our popular vanilla bean cake, this beauty requires no fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. Get ready to create a show-stopping dessert that’ll have everyone begging for seconds!

What is Strawberry Chocolate Cake?

Ever wondered why we call it strawberry chocolate cake and not chocolate strawberry cake? It’s all about priorities, my friend! This heavenly creation puts those gorgeous, ruby-red strawberries front and center, letting them shine against the rich chocolate backdrop.

Think of it as nature’s perfect love story – sweet meets decadent in the most romantic way possible. After all, they say the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, and this cake is your golden ticket! Ready to become the dessert hero of your household?

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Chocolate Cake:

Irresistible Flavor Combination

The star of this show is undoubtedly the perfect marriage between rich, velvety chocolate and bright, fresh strawberries. Each bite delivers a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds – the deep cocoa notes complemented by the sweet-tart burst of strawberries.

Budget-Friendly Homemade Goodness

Making this strawberry chocolate cake at home costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a fancy bakery. With simple pantry staples and fresh strawberries, you’ll create a dessert that rivals any expensive cake shop creation while keeping your wallet happy.

Impressive Yet Simple

Don’t let its stunning appearance fool you – this cake is surprisingly easy to make! The moist chocolate layers paired with fresh strawberry filling and fluffy frosting create a dessert that looks like it came from a professional kitchen. Unlike our complex red velvet cheesecake, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels with open arms.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and create some kitchen magic?

How to Make Strawberry Chocolate Cake:

Quick Overview

This strawberry chocolate cake combines the best of both worlds with incredibly moist chocolate layers and fresh strawberry goodness. The secret lies in using hot coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor and fresh strawberry puree for natural sweetness.

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Baking Time: 30 minutes
Assembly Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cooling Time: Included in assembly time

Key Ingredients for Strawberry Chocolate Cake:

For the Chocolate Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot strong coffee

For the Strawberry Filling:

2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Preparing the Chocolate Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with cocoa powder.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In another bowl, beat eggs, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Slowly stir in the hot coffee – the batter will be thin, but that’s perfect!
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Making the Strawberry Filling

Reserve 1 cup of the prettiest strawberry slices for decoration. Roughly chop the remaining strawberries.
In a medium saucepan, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let cool completely before using.

Preparing the Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add vanilla and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat until smooth and spreadable, adding more cream if needed.

Assembly

Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread half the strawberry filling evenly over the top, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Add a thin layer of frosting over the strawberry filling. Top with second cake layer.
Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting all over the cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Apply the final layer of frosting, smoothing with an offset spatula.

What to Serve Strawberry Chocolate Cake With:

This delectable cake pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve alongside vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A glass of cold milk or hot coffee complements the rich chocolate flavors perfectly. For special occasions, consider pairing with champagne or a sweet dessert wine. Fresh mint sprigs and additional strawberries make lovely garnishes that enhance both flavor and presentation.

Top Tips for Perfecting Strawberry Chocolate Cake:

Room Temperature Ingredients

Ensure your eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting. This creates a smoother batter and prevents lumpy frosting.

Coffee Enhancement

Don’t skip the hot coffee – it intensifies the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. Decaf works just as well if you prefer.

Strawberry Prep

Pat strawberries dry before using to prevent excess moisture in your cake. If strawberries aren’t in season, frozen ones work well for the filling (thaw and drain first).

Assembly Timing

Wait until the cake layers are completely cool before frosting. Warm cake will melt your beautiful frosting!

Storing and Reheating Tips:

Store this strawberry chocolate cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration, but bring the cake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

For longer storage, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.

The strawberry filling can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Give it a quick stir before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes! Thaw frozen strawberries completely and drain excess liquid before using in the filling. Fresh strawberries work best for decoration.

How do I prevent my cake layers from sticking?

Grease your pans thoroughly with butter, then dust with cocoa powder instead of flour for chocolate cakes. This prevents white residue on your dark cake.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store wrapped at room temperature. Assemble the cake the day of serving for best results.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

Create a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

How do I know when my cake is done?

The cake should spring back lightly when touched, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Nutrition Information

Nutrient	Per Slice (1/12 of cake)
Calories	485
Total Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	10g
Cholesterol	75mg
Sodium	520mg
Total Carbs	78g
Dietary Fiber	4g
Sugars	65g
Protein	7g
Vitamin C	35mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

The Perfect Elegant Dressage

Transform your strawberry chocolate cake into a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece with this stunning presentation:

Ingredients for Decoration:

12-15 fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
2 tablespoons chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
1 tablespoon powdered sugar for dusting
6-8 fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup melted dark chocolate for drizzling

Step-by-Step Dressage Instructions:

Creating the Strawberry Crown

Starting from the outer edge, arrange halved strawberries in a circular pattern around the top of your frosted cake, cut-side down.
Create a second inner circle of strawberries, slightly overlapping the first row.
Place one perfect strawberry half in the very center as the crowning jewel.

Adding Chocolate Elements

Using a spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate in an artistic pattern over the strawberries and frosting.
Sprinkle chocolate shavings evenly around the strawberries for added texture and visual interest.

Final Touches

Tuck fresh mint leaves between strawberries for pops of vibrant green color.
Just before serving, lightly dust the entire cake with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve.
For an extra elegant touch, place a few whole strawberries and mint sprigs around the base of the cake plate.

This presentation creates a stunning contrast between the dark chocolate cake, white frosting, red strawberries, and green mint – making it absolutely irresistible for photos and guaranteed to impress your guests!

This strawberry chocolate cake recipe serves 12 and is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you want to create something truly special. The combination of flavors and textures makes every bite a delightful experience that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!