If you love the dreamy combination of luscious chocolate and fresh, juicy strawberries in a delightful dessert, this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender chocolate cake layers studded with sweet strawberries and melty chocolate chips, all topped with a luscious frosting and drizzled with extra chocolate and fresh berry goodness. It’s a celebration of flavors and textures that will make any occasion feel extra special—and I can’t wait to share how simple and rewarding this cake is to make!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how just a handful of everyday ingredients come together so beautifully in this recipe. Each component plays an important role, whether it’s for rich chocolate flavor, tender crumb, or that burst of fresh strawberry sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need to bake your perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe:
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure to keep the cake light and tender.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create a moist crumb.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep, intense chocolate flavor all through the cake.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents work together to give your cake just the right rise.
- Salt: Balances the flavors and enhances the chocolate taste.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft texture.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist without overpowering flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the overall flavor profile with a warm, comforting note.
- Boiling water: Unlocks the cocoa flavor while thinning the batter for a silky smooth texture.
- Sliced fresh strawberries: Fresh, juicy pieces that sparkle with sweetness in every bite.
- Chocolate chips: Little pockets of melted chocolate that make the cake extra indulgent.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to give your cakes the perfect non-stick surface. This will help your layers come out clean and beautiful after baking.
Step 2: Mix Together Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until completely combined. This dry mix forms the base that delivers structure and flavor to your luscious cake.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients with Dry
Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until everything is just combined, creating a smooth, chocolatey batter. Take your time here to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake tough.
Step 4: Add Boiling Water for Luxurious Texture
Slowly pour in the boiling water while stirring the batter. This warms the cocoa, intensifying the chocolate flavor and thinning the batter to a lovely consistency that’s easy to pour and bake up moist.
Step 5: Fold in Strawberries and Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in your fresh, sliced strawberries and the chocolate chips. This step adds bursts of juicy sweetness and melty chocolate throughout the cake layers, making each bite a delightful surprise.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Divide your batter evenly between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops gently. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will start to smell irresistible at this point!
Step 7: Cool and Frost
Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, frost with your favorite frosting choice—cream cheese, chocolate ganache, or whipped cream all pair beautifully with this cake. Don’t forget to decorate with extra strawberries and a chocolate drizzle for an extra special touch.
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A handful of fresh strawberries sliced in various sizes, a drizzle of warm melted chocolate, or even some finely chopped nuts make perfect garnishes. They not only enhance flavor but also give your cake a stunning presentation that will wow your guests.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. If you want to keep things light and fresh, a side of mixed berries or a citrus fruit salad balances the rich chocolate beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving individual slices with a strawberry skewered on top or layering smaller cake portions in glass cups with alternating layers of frosting and berries for an elegant parfait-inspired twist. You could even make mini cupcakes from the batter and frost them individually for a fun party bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days, or you can refrigerate it for up to five days. Just let the cake come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Freezing
The Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe freezes well without losing its charm. Wrap each cake layer individually in plastic wrap and then foil, and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting or serving.
Reheating
If you prefer your cake slightly warm, gently reheat slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds. This helps the chocolate chips soften again, giving you that fresh-baked feeling with every single bite.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Fresh strawberries are best because they maintain their texture and flavor during baking, but if you only have frozen, make sure they are thawed and drained very well to avoid adding extra moisture to the batter.
What frosting pairs best with this cake?
Classic chocolate ganache, vanilla buttercream, or cream cheese frosting all complement the rich chocolate and fresh strawberries beautifully. Choose according to your taste or occasion!
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. The cake will still be moist and delicious.
How do I prevent the strawberries from sinking to the bottom?
Lightly toss the sliced strawberries in a little flour before folding them into the batter; this helps suspend them evenly while baking.
Is the boiling water necessary?
Yes, the boiling water intensifies the cocoa flavor and ensures a moist, tender crumb by thinning the batter, resulting in that perfect cake texture you want.
Final Thoughts
There’s something simply magical about the way chocolate and strawberries come together in this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe. Whether you’re baking for a special celebration or simply to treat yourself, this cake is sure to bring smiles and satisfied sighs all around. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try—it’s a delicious journey well worth every step!
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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and moist chocolate cake infused with fresh strawberries and studded with chocolate chips, topped with a luscious frosting and garnished with extra strawberries and chocolate drizzle. Perfect for celebrations or anytime you want an indulgent, fruity chocolate dessert.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Incorporate boiling water: Slowly pour in the boiling water while stirring, making the batter thin and smooth in texture.
- Fold in strawberries and chocolate chips: Gently fold the sliced fresh strawberries and chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly without bruising the strawberries.
- Divide batter and bake: Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans. Place them in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes: Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to wire racks to cool completely to room temperature.
- Frost and decorate: Once fully cooled, frost the cakes with your favorite frosting. Decorate with extra fresh strawberries and drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an elegant finish.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh ripe strawberries that are firm and not overly juicy to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
- If you prefer, you can substitute milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor and more tender crumb.
- Make sure to allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from sliding or melting.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- The boiling water helps to bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate taste and creating a moist texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
