If you’re a fan of rich, moist chocolate cake and the fresh, tangy sweetness of strawberries, then you are in for a treat! This chocolate strawberry cake with fresh strawberries combines the best of both worlds, resulting in a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth dessert that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether you’re preparing for a birthday, a special celebration, or simply want to indulge in something sweet, this cake is perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Combination: The rich, moist chocolate cake pairs wonderfully with the fresh, tangy sweetness of strawberries, creating a deliciously balanced flavor.
- Impressive Presentation: This cake looks as amazing as it tastes, making it perfect for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or gatherings.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and clear instructions, this recipe is easy enough for beginners to follow, yet satisfying for experienced bakers.
- Customizable: Whether you prefer a vegan or gluten-free version, or want to switch up the frosting, this recipe offers plenty of room for adjustments.
- Moist and Fluffy Texture: The addition of boiling water and fresh strawberries ensures the cake is incredibly moist and tender, with a light, airy texture.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake can be made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together for an even richer taste.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a celebration or a casual treat, this cake is versatile enough to suit any event or craving.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 10-12
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
- Dietary Information: Contains gluten and dairy (alternatives available)
This moist chocolate strawberry cake recipe is designed to be not only a visual masterpiece but also a perfect balance of flavors and textures. We use fresh strawberries to bring a natural sweetness that complements the chocolate, making it a dessert that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake layers:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour if needed)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (or egg substitutes for vegan)
- 1 cup whole milk (or dairy-free milk for a vegan option)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or coconut oil for a healthier option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup fresh strawberries (finely chopped)
For the strawberry filling:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or dairy-free cream)
- ½ cup fresh strawberries (pureed)
Equipment
- 2 round cake pans (8-inch or 9-inch)
- Electric mixer (or whisk if you prefer to mix by hand)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
- Knife or serrated knife (for slicing cake layers evenly)
- Piping bag (optional for decorating)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Cake Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pans to ensure the cake layers come out easily once baked. You can also line the pans with parchment paper for extra assurance.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Sifting helps to prevent lumps in the cake batter and ensures a smooth texture.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. You should see a creamy consistency, with the sugar fully dissolved.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients into the Wet Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently as you go. Start with a small amount, mix well, and then gradually add more, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Add Boiling Water and Fresh Strawberries
Once the batter is smooth, carefully add the boiling water. This step may seem unusual, but it helps make the cake incredibly moist. Finally, fold in the finely chopped fresh strawberries. These will create pockets of fruity goodness throughout the cake.
Step 6: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Make the Strawberry Filling
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the strawberry filling. In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice (if using). Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the strawberries soften and release their juices. Mash the mixture with a fork or potato masher until it becomes a chunky sauce. Let it cool to room temperature.
Step 8: Prepare the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Once the frosting is smooth and fluffy, add the pureed strawberries and mix until the frosting turns a light pink color. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until the consistency is just right.
Step 9: Assemble the Cake
Once the cake layers have cooled completely, carefully slice each layer in half horizontally to create four layers of cake. Place one layer on a serving plate, spread a generous amount of strawberry filling over the top, and then add a layer of frosting. Repeat this process for each layer, finishing with a layer of frosting on top.
Step 10: Decorate and Serve
If you’d like to get creative, pipe some extra frosting on top of the cake or add sliced strawberries as a garnish. Serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Strawberry Cake
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor. The sweeter and juicier the strawberries, the better they’ll taste in the cake and filling.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in a dense cake. Mix just until combined to keep the cake light and airy.
- Let the cakes cool completely before frosting. If you apply frosting while the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and slide off.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, use a high-quality cocoa powder. The quality of your ingredients makes a big difference in the final flavor.
- Make it a day ahead! This cake holds up well and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together.
Variations You Can Try
- Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check the texture of the batter, as it may need slight adjustments.
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free milk and vegan butter. Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water per egg).
- Chocolate Ganache Frosting: For a richer finish, you can substitute the strawberry frosting with a smooth chocolate ganache made with heavy cream and dark chocolate.
Final Thoughts
This moist chocolate strawberry cake with fresh strawberries is the perfect dessert to celebrate any special occasion or enjoy as a sweet treat just because. With its layers of rich chocolate cake, homemade strawberry filling, and creamy frosting, it’s sure to satisfy every sweet tooth. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also visually stunning, making it a showstopper at any gathering.
Baking this cake is easy, and with the helpful tips and variations we’ve shared, you can customize it to suit your needs. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy the best of both worlds: chocolate and strawberries in a cake that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat!
If you give this recipe a try, don’t forget to let us know how it turned out. Happy baking!
