Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe That Home Bakers Will Love

Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a celebration on a plate rather than only a dessert. Love at first taste is what I recall from the first time I baked this cake for a special birthday celebration. The rich, moist chocolate cake creates an appealing mix of flavors when it complements the sweet, sour blast of fresh strawberries.

Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe is ideal for any event requiring a bit more luxury, not only for birthdays. This cake will wow and generate lifelong memories around the table with layers of rich chocolate and a sweet strawberry filling.

How To Make Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe?

Recipe Overview

This chocolate strawberry cake recipe is a dreamy mix of dark chocolate cake layers and fresh strawberry filling, topped with a soft strawberry buttercream and finished with silky chocolate ganache. It’s a total crowd-pleaser and doesn’t require any fancy tools—just a few bowls and a whisk.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
  
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
  
• Total Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes
  
• Cuisine: American
  
• Course: Dessert
  
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
  
• Yield: 10–12 slices
  
• Calories: ~450 per serving

Equipment Needed

• 9-inch or 8-inch round cake pans (two or three, depending on your recipe)
• Parchment paper
• Nonstick cooking spray or butter and flour
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• Silicone spatula
• Offset icing spatula
• Wire cooling racks
• Cake plate, cake stand, or cardboard cake round
• Food processor or blender
• Saucepan
• Serrated knife
• Kitchen scale (optional)
• Whisk

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake Layers

• 2 cups cake flour
  
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
  
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
  
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  
• ½ tsp sea salt
  
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  
• ½ cup sour cream
  
• 1 cup whole milk
  
• 2 large eggs
  
• ½ cup vegetable oil
  
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)

For the Strawberry Filling

• 2 cups frozen strawberries (or fresh)
  
• 2 tbsp water
  
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
  
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
  
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

For the Strawberry Buttercream

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  
• 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  
• ¼ cup reserved strawberry filling
  
• 1 tbsp heavy cream (as needed)
  
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache

• 1 dark chocolate bar (about 100g), chopped
  
• ½ cup heavy cream

To Decorate

• Whole fresh strawberries
  
• Dipped strawberries (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Chocolate Cake

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, whisk cake flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, dark brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt.
• Add softened butter and mix until crumbly. Add sour cream, milk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
• Slowly pour in hot coffee (or hot water) and mix until just combined. The batter will be thin-this makes the cake moist!
• Divide batter between pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Strawberry Filling

• In a saucepan, combine strawberries, water, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until berries soften.
• Mash berries with a fork. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp water, then add to the pan. Stir until thickened. Cool completely.

3. Make the Strawberry Buttercream

• Beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well.
• Add reserved strawberry filling, heavy cream, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy.

4. Assemble the Cake

• Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread a layer of strawberry filling, then a layer of buttercream.
• Add the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides with the remaining buttercream.
• Drizzle melted dark chocolate (ganache) over the top. Decorate with whole fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

How to Make the Strawberry Filling

This part is easy and so worth it. It’s what gives the cake its fruity punch.

1. Add strawberries, water, lemon juice, and sugars to a saucepan.
   
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until strawberries break down—about 10 minutes.
   
3. Mix cornstarch with a teaspoon of water and stir into the strawberry mix.
   
4. Let it simmer until it thickens, then cool it down completely.

Whipping Up the Chocolate Cake Layers

This is my favorite cake base—it’s fluffy, moist, and rich.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
   
2. In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.
   
3. Add butter, sour cream, and milk. Beat until combined.
   
4. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix again until smooth.
   
5. Slowly add hot coffee while mixing—it’ll thin the batter, and that’s okay!
   
6. Divide between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes. Let cool.

The Secret Strawberry Buttercream

You’ll want to eat this with a spoon—no judgment here.

1. Beat butter until creamy.
   
2. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time.
   
3. Add reserved strawberry filling and vanilla.
   
4. If needed, thin it with a bit of heavy cream.

Assembling the Layers Like a Pro

Now comes the fun part!

1. Place one cake layer on a plate.
   
2. Spread a layer of strawberry filling, then a layer of buttercream.
   
3. Add the second cake layer.
   
4. Frost the top and sides with more buttercream.
   

Optional: Chill for 15 minutes to help the ganache set properly.

My Secret Tips for Perfect Chocolate Strawberry Cake

• If you don’t have cake flour, use all-purpose flour and remove 2 tbsp per cup, replacing it with cornstarch.
• Fresh strawberries work great, but frozen strawberries make the filling extra jammy.
• For a lighter cake, swap sour cream for plain yogurt.
• Make the cake layers a day ahead and wrap them tightly- they’re easier to frost when chilled.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Exciting Variations and Serving Ideas

• Add a layer of chocolate mousse between the cakes for a chocolate mousse cake twist.
• Swap strawberry buttercream for whipped cream or strawberry frosting for a lighter finish.
• Make mini cakes or cupcakes with the same batter and filling.
• Serve with extra dipped strawberries on the side for a chocolate strawberry dessert idea.

Exciting Variations and Serving Ideas

Here’s how I love switching things up:

• Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cake Recipe Twist: Add layers of dark chocolate ganache between the cake and frosting.
  
• Strawberry Shortcake Vibes: Skip the top layer and serve the cake open-faced with whipped cream and strawberries.
  
• Mini Version: Bake in cupcake tins and pipe the frosting on top.
  
• Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Ideas for Parties: Slice into bite-sized cubes and serve with toothpicks like dessert bites.

Personal Touch / Expert Tips from My Kitchen

I’ve made this cake more times than I can count, and each time, I learn something new that makes it even better. Here are a few little things I’ve picked up along the way:

• Room Temp Ingredients Matter
  Don’t skip this step. Using room-temperature eggs, milk, and butter helps everything mix more smoothly and gives you a fluffier cake. I usually set mine out about 30–45 minutes before I start.
  
• Hot Coffee = Richer Chocolate Flavor
  I always use freshly brewed coffee in this recipe—even if you’re not a coffee fan, you won’t taste it. It just deepens the cocoa flavor and gives that “wow” factor.
• Use a Serrated Knife to Slice the Cake
  If you’re layering or trimming your cake, a long serrated knife gives cleaner cuts with less crumbling. I learned this after butchering more than a few layers in my early baking days!
  
• Strawberry Buttercream Tip
  Always add the strawberry filling to the frosting after beating the butter and sugar. This keeps it from getting too runny. And if it does soften too much, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.
  
• Chill Before Slicing
  This cake slices much more cleanly after it’s been chilled for at least an hour. That filling settles in, and everything holds together better. Worth the wait.
  
• Make It Your Own
  Don’t stress about making it look perfect. Drizzle some chocolate, toss on some fresh strawberries, or even leave it “naked” with just a middle layer of filling and frosting. The flavor speaks for itself.

Baking should be fun, not fussy. I keep it real in my kitchen, and I hope you do, too!

Essential Baking Tips

• Measure Ingredients Accurately: Use a kitchen scale or the spoon-and-level method for flour. Too much flour can make your cake dense and dry.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients don’t blend well and can lead to a gummy texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing creates a dense, chewy cake instead of a light, fluffy one.
• Preheat and Check Oven Temperature: Always preheat your oven and use an oven thermometer if possible. An accurate temperature is vital for even baking and to avoid sunken centers.
• Prepare Cake Pans Properly: Grease and line pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help the cake release easily.
• Fill Pans Correctly: Fill pans only about two-thirds full to prevent overflow and uneven baking.
• Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to test the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Note

A recipe note is a brief section included after the instructions that shares extra information not directly related to the preparation steps. Recipe notes can provide useful tips, ingredient substitutions, storage advice, serving suggestions, or a bit of recipe history.

Video Tutorial

FAQ

Final Thoughts

This chocolate strawberry cake recipe is a favorite in my kitchen, and I hope it becomes a favorite in yours, too. If you try it, let me know in the comments or tag me on social media. I love seeing your creations and hearing your tips for making them your own!

If you have questions or want more strawberry cake dessert recipes, just ask. Happy baking from Olivia Cookery!